Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1906-02-16
Caln,ase
Sermon
By Rev.
Frank De Witt Talmase. d. ID.

Los Angeles, Cal, Feb. 11.-Rarely
has The spiritual side of astronomy
been so picturesquely presented as in
this sermon, which gives glimpses that
afford cheer and ragement to
those who are in danger of becoming
disheartened in the struggle OF life.
The text is Daniel xii, 3, LAS the stars
forever and ever
Some people are spiritually farsight-
ed. They cannot see Gods blessings
near at hand. They will sing with
great guste. Il want to be an angel and
with the angels stand" but they never
thank God for the present opportuni-
ties Of Christian work and for the
blessings OF earthly Christian fellow
ship here and now. They are never
capable OF having their heartstrings
bind them to n mundane tabernacle az
the heart OF John Faweett, author OF
the noble hymn, "Blest be the tie that
binds" and that OF his dear wife, were
bound to the little parsonage or wains-
gate, in Yorkshire. England. After
young Fswcett had been rural pastor
in this humble village a few years he
was called to great metropolitan
church as the successor of the famous
Rev. DR.. GIL OF London. 1t was pull
pit OF which any man might have been
proud. The resignation was read, the
farewell sermon preached, the wagons
We're loaded with the furniture to take
no of IN hf GA1l -
labor. While the goodby words were
being said, Mrs. Fawcett, her husband
and the villagers all broke down and
wept. Then Mrs. Faweett said: ooh,
John, cannot bear this! l know not
how to goP' Nor either" said her
husband, land we will not go. The
wagons shall be unloaded, and every
thing put in its old place" So the
wagons were unloaded. A letter WINS
sent to London explaining the condi-
lions, and John Fawcett. who might
aave become DR.. Gilrs successor In a
great metropolitan pulpit, remained
In his humble rural church because Of
bis affection for his people. All, We
whose hearts beat and throb to the key
note OF love. can you blame himY Then
he went into his study and wrote his
immortal hymn, which has done more
good than all the sermons he has ever
preached. Like John Fawcett are most
OF US. We thank God for the tender
ties that bind our loving hearts to
earthly friends and for the ties that
ITnd Anr-t, h.
gospel work this side OF the grave.
eGfories Beyond the Grave.
But though we love earthly life and
all the dear ones who are now by our
side: though we love our Christian
work In the home, the church, the store
and the study, yet we would not forget
those who have gone beyond. We would
not forget the celestial rewards that
are to be ours when our earthly work
Tor Christ Is done. Therefore the pur-
pose Of this sermon is TO tell you what
glories await you on the other side OF
the grave IL you have been n winner
OF souls for Christ during your earthly
pilgrimage. And am going to tell you
this by one of the most beautiful SYM
bols OF the Bible; 1t Is the symbol OF
the stars, in stellar letters OF gold. writ
ten upon the broad black pages OF the
night. 1t Is in the mighty review OF
other worlds when the glittering hosts
wheel Into line, and stars, consultations
and systems. with their signals OF light,
singing as they sang on the morning OF
the creation, move before the great God
who created them and who rules them.
Today we have beautiful subject,
one which transports us TO that glori-
GUS ornament to whose brightness
Daniel appealed when he said, .'They
that be wise shall shine as the bright
ness OF the armament, and they that
turn many to righteousness as the stars
forever and ever" The stars, the stars.
the glorious stars, which we shall be
like when the archapgel puts the last
trumpet to his lips and blows the rever-
berating blast OF the resurrection.
Canst thou nee to-day catch an inspired
vision Of the heavenly. armament ,as
did the dying ecsffege student, Henry
Kirke White, when he looked up and
saw the harbinger Of his future In the
flaming glory of the stars? =.
Now. the frst fact 10 which I want
to call your attention is to the mum.
Der OF the stars. would lead you out
upon the hillsides OF the night, rs God
led Abraham of old, and say unto you.
Look now toward heaven and tell the
stars ff thou be able to connt Them
Can you count? Are you good at fig
ures! yes" you answer, with a
laugh. 81 am good at figures. I was
the best mathematician OF my college
class. But I have not, nor has any
other man, mental force enough or
time enough to count the stars. You
might as well ask me to count the
sands Of the Sahara desert or the
drops Of water contained In the mighty
deep as to count the number OF the
stars. i have neither the time nor the
ability to do this" Then while you
are speaking Of the Infinite number Of
the stars you recall wonderful ex-
perience you had some years ago.
Counting the stars.
You were out camping. You had
been living some weeks in the open
That day you had long, hard pull
over the mountains. You were almost
faGgsd out when you made camp. But
after the IRE was built, the coffee pre-
pared and the supper eaten there cams
over you sense OF contentment that
no man ever experiences unless he is
living out in the woods. This peace
did not come from your companions,
though there never were finer men to,
rough it, with than those who were
your associates at that time. But
somehow you did not care to talk that
night. So You made up your bed of
green b0ughs and covered them with
tho soft leaves. Then you spread your
blankets and lay down. You did not