Evening journal., 1907-11-18
KISS A theme FOR
PASTORS SERMON
ReV.W.E. Greenfield breaches
on the Subject in Silver
brook Church

"A kiss" was the subject of a sermon
preached by Rev. w. e. Greenfield in
silverbrook NJ e. Church last evening.
His theme was taken from the text of st.
Luke, 22nd chapter, 47-4s. "And while he
yet spake behold a multitude and he that
was called Judas. one Of the twelve.
went before them. and drew near unto
Jesus to kiss Him, but Jesus said unto
him, Judas betrayest thou the Son Of
man with a kiss"
In part pastor Greenfield said:
"rhe kiss is an old custom. first among
men with some nations. as The Germans
and Frenchmen often kiss each other
after long absence. Kissing the hand Of
/ the sovereign forms part of the ceremonial
of the European courts. Kissing the foot
is a common Oriental sign of respect.
"A kiss Is supposed to be sign Of
/ friendship, as illustrated in the case Of
Jonathan and David; also a sign Of for
/ giveness and affection, as in the case cf
1 Esau and Jacob. 1 am indebted to one of
the papers of this city for the following:
"A study I'm psychology shows that kiss
is only one expression Of affection. In
places where kissing is unknown, this
mode is supplemented by oaressing the
hand. nose and clapping the hands. West
ern civilization holds a kiss as the kind
est expression of endearment. Paolo, the
great Italian psychologist says fear.
space and time may separate lovers, but
I nIt T. a
them together
But when Judas brought the enemies
of Christ to take Him. he betrayed HIM
with "a kiss, a pretense of affection and
respect. We learn that wicked acts may be
done under a show Of pretended affecM n
and respect.
And while He yet spake, behold mu,-
titude. and he that was called Judas. ore
of the twelve. went before them and drew
near unto Jesus TO kiss Him Treachery is
always connected with cruelty How often
the name Of God has been pressed into
the service of persecution, treachery and
crime. History tells us when Jezebel would
have Naboth killed she ordered a fast to
be proclaimed, and false Witnesses to ac-
cuse him Of disappearing God and the
king
when Count de Montfort led a crusade
against the Albigenes ne ordered thean to
be murdered and plllaged. ais an act Of
service TO Christs church. We are told
when the Spanish Inquisition tortured and
burned suspected heritics. they justified
, the abominable dealings by a profession
of zeal for Gods truth.
1--WE learn from this lesson that simply
church membership. or profession Of
religion with its privileges and honors
do not insure true devotion. Judas was
one Of the twelve, and while we see the
aroused disciples looking up into their
Masters face with intense anguish, and
/ heard Jesus say rise and pray While
/ Judas used the sign of love and affection
a token Of alteration he lacked the true
! brother-feeling Of friendship and admira-
! tion and regard for Jesus This lesson also
teaches how we can lnjure the cause Of
| Christ under a show OF respect and kind
ness and do untold harm by our influence.
Judas betrayest Thou the Son Of man
with a kiss While these words reminded
him Of the goodness and Kindness Of Jesus
TO him IN the past. they also spake to his
heart of his ingrautude. cowardice and
folly. May this history be one Of warm
Ing. reminding us of our duty and warn
us Of our danger, that we may search
our hearts I'm the light Of the truth and
pront from this moral wreck. that we
may not be deceived ourselves or allow
greed to obtain mastery over us and make
wrecks Of our lives and increase our
| condemnation by our intimacy with
J Jesus by pretence Of affection and re-
! spect But may our kiss for Christ like
Ruth for Naomi be actuated by high
principle and true devotion Of spirit. our
love atoned by noble deeds.
"A word to the unconverted: If you like
the prodigal son, have wandered from
your father out into that far on country
OF forgetfulness, I invite you 10 return
and receive the kiss Of reconciliation.
passion"