Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-03-16
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
: SUNDAY SERMON !
B y y
b Brilliant Discourse By Rev.
4 Edward Niles.

Brooklyn, N. Y.-The Rev. Edward
| Niles, pastor of the White Bushwick
Avenue Reformed) Church, preached
! Sunday OH The Recent Religious Re-
| yiyals." 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 II much would
needs be yielded. 1t was 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 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 Phlistines."
He did as he was told. Jehovah led
the way, the Israelites followed. Both
uniting together won the battle. David
had faith to adopt Gods plan Of at
tack. His faith was manifested by his
works. The result was glorious peace.
Preparation. Expectation. Reallza-
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 our 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 our ranks are seeking after
compromise with evil, tine abandon
ment Of our spiritual integrity, accom-
mediation to the demands of the world.
The times are desperate and earnest
souls have followed the example of the
Shepherd King, inquiring of Jehovah
what shall be done.
The answer has come, in no uncer-
tain tones. Equip yourselves with
shields of faith, swords of the Spirit,
breastpates 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 !, Je-
hovah, am with you
Christians nave been hearing such
messages for months. Sermons, pray
or meeting talks. Sunday school i'll
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 | believe it has come. AS one of
the captains of the sacramental army
l 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 in the tops of the
mulberry trees
Gypsy Smith" 1t is an outlandish
name. But it tells of Il man who sue
ccedcd 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 hear the
hnr of ha m a
erpool. Almost increduous ask, "Can
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 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.
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 little Welsh town, eight
miles from the nearest railroad a
Christian Endeavor meeting was being
held 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. 80, l 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 Chrst's pardon.
The religious contaglon spread to other
villages in fast widening circles.
Evan Roberts, once ringleader in de-
bauchery. had recently given up coal
mining to study for the ministry, and
came home for little rest. He was
inspired by the changed life of his
town to proclaim the gospel with
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 meeting,
were held out of doors in many places.
livery Sunday school every Christian