The Penn's Grove record., 1905-03-17

AN ELOQUENT SUNDAY SERMON BY
THE REV. EDWARD MILES,.

Niles, pastor of the White Bushwick
Avenue Reformed) Church, preached
Sunday on THE Recent Religious Re
vivals." The text was from II. Samuel
wa: when thou nearest the sound of
marching in the tops of the mulberry
trees, then thou shalt bestir myself:
for then is Jehovah gone out before
thee to 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 if much would
needs be yielded. 1t was a crisis, and
David did the best thing possible.
He inquired of Jehovah. The reply
of the oracle was a strange one. The
order was not to go openly against the
foe, but to equip his forces, and, thor
Oughly prepared for attack, put them
in ambush opposite a grove of null
berry trees. Then, when the sound of
an angel army was heard rustling over
the tops of those branches, to bestir
himself, and, according to the account
in Chronicles, go out to battle. How
thrilling the promise which followed
the direction, "for then Jehovah is
gone out before thee to smite the host
of the Philistines."
He did as he was told. Jehovah led
the way, the Israelites followed. Both
shifting together won the battle. David
had faith to adopt Gods plan of at
tack. His faith vas 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 to US. Certainly we
are hemmed in by influences threaten
ing most dangerously Dur spiritual in
dependence. The work of the churches
in Brooklyn is not going forward as it
should. Defensive tactics are too
much in evidence.
Many in u ranks are seeking after
compromise with evil, the abandon
ment of our spiritual integrity, accom-
mediation to the demands CT the world.
The times are desperate and earnest
souls have followed the example of the
Shepherd King, inquiring Cf Jehovah
what shall be done.
AhC dhohCI mas GOLlC, III AO uuCGI-
tain tones. Equip yourselves with
shields of faith, swords of the Spirit,
breastplates of righteousness, helmets
of salvation. Omit no preparation.
Expect great things. When thou hear
est the sound of heavenly allies march
ing, bestir myself. Strike, for l, Je-
hOvah, am with you"
Christians nave been hearing such
messages for months. Sermons. pray
er meeting talks, Sunday-school in
struction have laid ever deepening en-
phasis on the necessity of being alert
to the help from heaven which will
warrant the command, go forward"
Now l believe it has come. AS one of
the captains of the sacramental army
1 repeat the order, Forward, marchv
During the past week my desk was
strewed with clippings from both re-
ligious and daily papers telling of the
sound of marching in the tops of the
mulberry trees"
Gypsy Smith, 1t is an %outlandish
name. But it tells of a man who sue
ceeded where Rhodes, Kruger, Miner
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 to shoulder, may
carry in triumph the cross of Christ to
the very darkmost heart of that me-
tropolis of Christendom and Satan.
With thrilling distinctness l hear the
reverberations of the marching in Liv-
erpool. Almost incredulous 1 ask, Gan
it be, in this twentieth century, when
we have been so often assured that re-
vivalism is dead, that the greatest COM
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
to gospel meetings, wrestling with
them in prayer. rejoicing with them in
salvation. One hundred and fifty
street car conductors are bound to-
gether in a 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 u American
evangelists, Torrey and Alexander, be-
gan 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 q few months back. The leader
urged upon those present to tell their
own spiritual experience, when a four
t~een-year-old girl, who had never taken
any part before, startled every one by
rising with beaming face. 20, / love
Jesus with all my heart" were her
only words. The effect was electric.
One after another testified to the great
ness of their sins and the infinitely
greater greatness of ChriSt'S pardon.
The religious contagion spread to other
villages in fast widening circles.
Evan Roberts. once a ringleader in de-
bauchery, had recently given up coal
mining to study for the ministry, and
came home for a little rest. He was
inspired by the changed life of his
town to proclaim the gospel with a
power unheard of in a theological stu
dent. Scores came to him for advice.
whom he led to the cross. His services
were asked for here, there and another
place. Wherever he went the way had
been prepared by faithful effort. No
halls were large enough TO accommo-
date the crowds, and the meetings
were aeld out of doors in many places.
Every Sunday-school, every Christian
Endeavor meeting became a revival
meeting. The preachers were discs
tablished. The people conducted the
gatherings as they saw fit. Songs, ex-
hortations, prayers followed or mingled
with one another, yet all without such
confusion as would mar the one i'm
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