The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-03-17
THE PULPIT.
An ELOQUENT SUNDAY SERMON BY
THE REV. EDWARD NILES


Subject; "Reeent Religious Revisals."
Brooklyn. y. Y.-The Rev. Edward
Niles. pastor of the White (Busbwick
Avenue Reformed) Church, preached
Sunday on The Recent Religious Re
vivals." The text was from IL Samuel
Wa: When thou nearest the sound OF
marching in the tops OF the mulberry
trees, then thou shalt bestir thyself;
for then is Jehovah gone out before
thee te smite the host OF the Philis-
tines" Mr.. Niles said:
David and his little kingdom were
sore beset by the enemy. Former vic
tories had only brought them tempo
rary relief. Many OF the troops were
discouraged. Very likely some advised
patching up terms Of peace with the
Philistines which would stop the Per
petual conflict. even II much would
needs be yielded. Ii was crisis, and
David did the best thing possible.
He inquired OF Jehovah. The reply
of the oracle was strange one. The
order was not 10 go openly against the
fee. but 10 equip his forces, and, thor
oughly prepared for attack. put them
in ambush opposite 4 grove CT mul-
berry trees. Then. when the sound OF
an angel army was heard rustling over
the tops OF those branches, 10 bestir
himself, and, according 10 the account
ln Chronicles, go ont 10 battle, How
thrilling the promise which followed
the direction, "for then Jehovah is
gone out before thee 10 smite the host
of the Philistines.
He did as he was told. Jehovah led
the way, the Isra elites followed. Both
shifting together won the battle. David
had faith 10 adopt Gods plan OF at
tack. His faith was manifested by his
works. The result was glorious peace
Preparation. Expectation. RealiZa-
ton. These three words tell the story.
believe this tale from the Old Book
is full OF lessons 10 us. Certainly we
are hemmed in by influences threaten
ing most dangerously our spiritual in
dependence. The work Of the churches
in Brooklyn is not going forward as il
should. Defensive tactics are toe
much in evidence.
Many in our ranks are seeking after
compromise with evil the abandon
ment of our spiritual integrity, accom-
mediation 10 the demands CT the world
The times are desperate and earnest
souls have followed the example of the
Shepherd King. inquiring IF Jehovah
what shall be done.
tain tones. Equip yourselves with
shields Of faith swords of the Spirit,
breastplates of righteousness. helmets
of salvation. Omit 10 preparatio
Expect great things. when thou hear
est the sound OF heavenly allies march
ing, bestir thysef Strike, for J. Je-
hovah, am with you"
Christians nave been hearing such
messages for months. Sermons. pray
or meeting talks. Sunday-school ILL
struction have laid ever deepening en-
phasis on the necessity of being alert
10 the help from heaven which viii
warrant the command, Go forward"
Now | believe il has come As one OF
the captains of the sacramental army
] repeat the order, Forward. march,
During the past week my desk was
strewed with clippings from both re-
ligious and daily papers telling of the
sound of marching IL the tops of the
mulberry trees"
Gypsy SMITH It is an outlandish
name. Bat il tells OF a man who sue
ceeded where Rhodes Kruger Milner
and all the other statesmen signally
failed.
From London comes the echo Of the
angels footsteps forcing back its sin.
shame and poverty that the churches,
charging shoulder 10 shoulder, may
carry in triumph the cross of Christ TO
the very darkmost heart of that me-
trOpolis of Christendom and Satan.
With thrilling 6istinctness l hear the
Teverberations of the marching in Liv-
erpoo. Almost incredulous / ask, Can
it be- in this twentieth century. when
we have been so often assured that re-
N-fr &c no hn
mercial centre of the greatest CONNER
cial nation of the world is stirred as
never before in its history by the story
of jesus
Yes" comes the answer from many
witnesses. Policemen have strangely
few calls to take people TO the station
houses and are bringing them instead
10 gospel meetings. wrestling with
them in prayer, rejoicing with them in
salvation. One hundred and fifty
street car conductors are bound to-
gether in praying band. Messenger
boys and brokers in the STOCK EX
change talk with each other of God
and join together in prayer.
The very whistling on the streets is
Of gospel hymns. Twelve thousand
people night after night pack the Tour
nament Hall TO hear and give their
testimonies. led by a recently notorious
prize fighter and gambler
Nearly 5000 have publicly given their
hearts TO Christ in that one city and
$1,000 in England since our American
evangelists. TOrrey and Alexander, be
ian their meetings in England.
The sound of marching on the top of
the mulberry trees has been so loud in
Wales that even our daily papers this
side of the Atlantic have heard. and
found place TO record it in their col
umns. In a little Welsh town eight
miles from the nearest railroad. a
Christian Endeavor meeting was being
held n few months back. The leader
urged upon those present TO tell their
own spiritual experience. when four
teen-year-old girl. who had never taken
any part before. startled every one by
rising with beaming face. 20, i love
Jesus with al my heart" were her
only words. The effect was electric.
One after another testified 10 the great
ness OF their sins and the infinitely
greater greatness OF Christs pardon.
The religious contagion spread 10 other
villages in fast widening circles.
Evan Roberts. once a ringleader in de-
bauchery. had recently given up coal
mining 10 study for the ministry, and
came home for little rest. He was
inspired by the changed life Of his