Los Angeles herald., 1905-11-13
EXPLAINS FIRST MIRACLE
Rev. Frank Dewitt Talmsee Draws a
Word Picture of Good cheer
ard LoIpfuIneoe


Rev. Frank Dewitt Talmage drew
a lesson of good cheer and helpfulness
in his sermon at the First Presbyterian
church last night. The subject of the
sermon was, His First Miracle" and
the text, taken from John Q: II, was,
This beginning of miracles Jesus did"
The preacher said that finding the
rational causes for the inception of
things Is a passion in the human heart
and mind. But next to It is the desire
of making a right start when, after
years of hard work and toll, we would
give to the world the results of our
labor and our investigation. When
Henry M. Stanley came from the ex-
ploration of the Dark Continent" he
did not let the facts thus gained lie
dormant in his mind. He at once
headed toward the great metropolis
of London. There, in Albert Memorial
hall, before the representatives of the
English throne and the greatest of
scientists, he described the results of
his daring journey. What he did not
tell by lip he told as soon as possible
to the world by his pen. No sonoer
did Samuel +. Morse. cry as did the
Greek mathematician Eureka! l have
found It! have found that a telegraph
message can be sent over the wires"
than at once he applied to the Ameri-
can congress to help him build a line
from Baltimore to Washington. He
would prove to all the world, in the
best and most emphatic way, that
telegraphy was to be classed among
the found arts"
The desire to make a right beginning
is implanted in every ones life who
starts upon a great career for the
reformation of the customs and the
habits of the world. Thus, when I
began to think upon this subject this
miracle at the beginning of Christs
ministry began to grow and widen and
deepen and lift itself higher and higher
in the purposes of Jesus Christ. Why?
1t was Christ's first miracle.
For thirty long years he led
life of obscurity Now Jesus
comes forth and practically says.
"I have come to reveal my Father to
the world. / want to win the belief
and trust of the people. How shall
l begin my work in the most attractive
and impressive way? 1 will do 1t at
and impressive way? 1 will do 1t at the
wedding of Cana of Gailee." Thus we
must approach our subject with awe
and reverence. This miracle Is not a
mere happen so. This first miracle of
| Christ was one by which we may catch
the keynote for the onward musical
movements of a perfect life.
1 am glad that Christ's nativity was
announced to the world by the over
ture of song. 1 am glad that his first
| miracle was performed at wedding.
/ am glad we do not see Jesus at this
| time standing clothed in the skins of
wild beasts, as was John the Baptist
in the wilderness. Christ came to this
wedding to mark his approval of in
nocent pleasure. His attendance
upon the wedding in Cana of Galilee
proves" wrote Bishop Ryle, that true
religion was never meant to make man
melancholy. There are times when 1t
Is lawful to be merry and rejoice"
Young folks about to enter into the
nuptial state, will you not ask Christ
to your wedding? Will you not talk
to him before the engagement ring is
slipped over the slender finger of the
left hand? Will you not by Christ's s
help, avoid the awful lifetime mistakes
Christ started his earthly ministry
among his near neighbors and friends
| Cana is only a short distance from
Nazareth. He did not leave home and
go among strangers to find gospel
| field. He began right among the
friends and companions of his youth
| In all probability there was not q
guest at the famous wedding. where
the first miracle of turning water into
wine was performed, who did not per.
sonally know him. Not a grown mar
| or grown woman was there but had
seen him a barefooted boy running
over the Zebulon hills. There was not
among all those guests one who had
not felt the touch of his personal life
upon his or her life.