Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-31

| storm ceased and the waters subsidized
when nature afterward put ON her calm
ana sweet repose, the noble structure resf~
cd secure upon it's rocky foundation, no
part injured by the fury OF the blast or the
Ioree of the elements. So with the man
who hears and obeys the teaching OF Jesus,
Inc many vieissitudes of this Hfe shall not
oFerwheim him. Sickness and poverty may
come, separately or together and under
their sway he may feel himself for the time
sreatiy einlcted Dob 1:2i) Friends may
DESERT him and prove untrue and enemies
may rise up against him. causing much
trouble: With pain and anxiety he may
look about him and know not the path
pest suited for his journey. And yet. II he
but hold fast to the word OF Christ II tie
sublime truth shall enter into his mind and
heart, and II he shall live day by dav ace
eording to It's holy requirements q Peter
fi;l3) all Will result IN good. How neces-
sary and timely was the teaching for the
twelve who were to suffer SO much. (Acts
DISASTER. Verses 1921. Notwith-
standing the value of Christ's words ana
the security of those who heed them, many
turn q deaf ear to His sayings. Or If they
hear they do not heed. In some instances
they praise, writing beautiful essays cons
corning the truths spoken by the greatest
OF teachers, but refusing to incorporate
these things into their lives. Perhaps they
consider their own judgment adequate TO
decide all questions that may arise, per-
haps they take guidance of the maxims OF
the world, or float on the stream OF populat
sentiment The result OF such living ID
faithfully presented here. The opinions
and practices of the world are marked BY
hckleness and folly. The wisest and best
OF men have but little knowledge that may
De available In every day life. AS a result
he who rests on such q foundation will be
overwhelmed in disaster Days and weeks
or quietness may pass, during which he
will consider himself fortunate But era
long adversely will overtake him and then,
IKE 4 house built upon the sand and broken
In the storm, so he win fail and fall. How
many lives prove this statement to be truef
EFFECT. Verses 2S-20. The value OF
a sermon cannot be determined by It's I'M
mediate results. Generally its influence in
creases with the lapse of time, and years
after the speaker finished his words go on
doing good. This is likely to be the case
when important truths delivered. so
profound that only by prolonged study
may they be understood. II is probable
that the sermon on the mount is today
more influential than at any former time.
And yet there was effect produced at
the time of its delivery. When He ceased
the people (for there were some pres
ent beside the apostles) were aston-
ished The variety of the themes discussed,
the range and depth of the thought were
extraordinary. Furthermore the entire dis
course was delivered with that conscious
ness which one possesses who Is vastly SUI
perior to his subjects. Jesus was the in
earnation of truth (Joaln xvi:6) and He
spake with a readiness and ease, SIM
plictty and power unknown to other teach-
erS his record mere is important in shows
ing how His contemporaries thought OF
Him.
REFLECTIONS. First. sermon
may be and ought to be a mighty deliver
ance. Into 1t ought to be crowded the
product of preachers thought and living
for all previous years. He comes to speak
for God to men. Second. There are not
many great sermons. Jesus left us bu; one.
What else we have from His lips Is bat
fragmentary and incidental teaching on
passing events. Third. Why may not ev-
cry preacher aspire to prepare and deliver
one discourse that shall immortalize him?
The struggle to reach q high standard Will
greatly bless the man. Fourth. What re-
sponsibility rests upon those who heart
How much good teaching is lost on inat-
tentive and careless audiencesl It is q
great privilege to listen to one who has
grappled with a theme, who has himself
felt its power. Fifth. The sermon ought
not only TO be prepared and delivered. but
to be heard and obeyed. Not until tho
truth has been welcomed into the heart and
life has the sermon done its extended work.
Sixth. Woe unto those careless ones who,
content 10 say prayers and observe forms,
yet live without regard to the Divine will.
In the judgment they will be overwhelmed
with confusion. Blessed are they who love
the truth and live by it. John WHEEL