The Penn's Grove record., 1908-10-16
THE PULPIT.
AN ELOQUENT SUNDAY SERMON BY
THE REV. EDWARD NILES.
Theme: Rejoicing in Suffering.

large audience on the subject: RE
joicing in Suffering" The text vas
from Colossians 1:24: "Now I rejoice
in my sufferings for your sake, and
fill up on my part that which is lack
ing in the Affections of Christ in my
flesh for His body's sake, which is the
church." Mr.. Niles said:
When Paul was converted, Chris
tianity was a Jewish sect unknown
outside of Palestine. When Paul had
finished his missionary tours, he
could say with ~pardonable exaggera-
ton, THE gospel is preached in all
creation under heaven, whereof l,
Paul, was made a minister" And
how he loved to preach! How he
yearned to bring every n into
knowledge of the truth!
Then, while in his prime, he be-
came a prisoner, fettered to a soldier,
any hour liable to execution. He
would be well nigh excusable had he
complained. l never read this verse
without establishment: Nov 1 re-
joice in my sufferings for your sake"
He is not submissive. No passivity
turks in that word rejoice" Now
after the fight of years, r~etracing
his life, he comes to realize that the
things for the present grievous eve
theless worked out the p%eaceable
fruits of righteousness. Now, while
suffering, he rejoices.
No back sight, but present feeling.
Why does he rejoice? Not because
he is glad to have a rest from work.
Not because he is a poser and fishes
for sympathy. 1t is for the sake of
the church. There, in his cell, he
can perform what makes the church
happier, more useful, healthier. Each
soldier who mounts guard over him
is a soul for him to save, until the
whole palace garrison talks about
Christ. His presence in the capital
city gives boldness to the brethren.
He has leisure for writing letters to
Epheseus, Colossae, Philippi which
will do good for centuries after his
preached sermons are forgotten.
So, whether as a minister or a suf-
ferer, he fills up what was lacking in
the Affections of Christ, is a supple
ment to the otherwise incomplete
gospel.
Our text means just that, although
many timid Protestant commentators
endeavor to explain it away.
Without Paul, Christ's sufferings
WOulu nave US0u ldCkluS, Ills cOlnluS
to earth a partial failure.
Atonement means at-one-ment be-
tween man and God. Our Saviour's
ministry and death brought it about
from Gods side, not from mans.
The debt shining humanity owed
was paid by Him, but the debtor
didn't know it. Jesus lived, preached
and suffered in a little corner of the
yynp1d un nnuor urar+ o,+c;Jo 80 +Lo+
one Roman district on the east shore
OF the Mediterranean. Caesar never
so much as heard of him. Purposely
He made HIS work intensive, training
a few men and women, who did not
fully comprehend Him until fifty days
after His death, that they and those
they inspired might fill up what was
lacking in His ~sufferings for the
world.
Jesus died to saw the world, but
He could not save the world alone.
A thousand people Were probably con-
verified by Paul's preaching to one by
Christ's. Paul's soul was full of hap
piness, no matter what the condition
of his body, as he realized how essen
tial he was to the Son of God. 1t was
for him to do what Jesus had not
done. If he could not do it in one
way, he would do it. in another. Moth
ing was hard with such a stimulus.
Paul far from filled up to the brim
what was lacking, with all his
triumphs. He made a beginning and
every real Christian since has been
adding to Paul's contribution. Just
so much self-denying effort must be
actively put forth, just so much pain
must be passively borne for others
before every phase of the redemption
plan is filled out and the great day of
atonement is ushered in, when every
knee shall bow and every tongue con-
fess Jesus as the Christ to the glory
of God the Father.
In proportion then, as you do your
part will this kingdom of God be es-
tablished upon earth. Yours is the
responsibility for its delay! Chris
tianity is not a means for you to es-
cape suffering hereafter, a plan for
you to attain future bliss. 1t is a
method for you to hasten on the act
ualization of the angels song on
Bethlehem's plains.
Like the greatest of Christians, you
are called to the ministry. A collie
giate education is not required, a the
illogical course unnecessary, ordina-
ton, a passionate may be or may not
be conferred upon you. You have a
calling, whatever YOU means of live
lihood, and that calling is to fill up
what is lacking in the Affections of
Christ.
Fill up the purse of this church so
far as in you lies. Fill up the pews
of this church by your presence and
persuasion. Fill up the PRAYERS of
saints, those walls of golden incense
which should ever be kept burning
before God. Fill up what is lacking
in Christ's affections for the children
by participaf II in the Sunday-school
or some branch of young peoples
work.
With you, the work here reaches
nearer the perfect. Lacking you, it
lags. Even Christ is insufficient. mi
u the weakest Christian.
The Captain of our salvation must
have soldiers of salvation or His Or
ders are useless. The private behind
the gun is as imperative as the officer
beside the gun.
Like Paul, you are called to suffer-
ing. when it comes to you, Christian,
or II 1t has already come, don't bear
1t, beseech you. Rejoice in it. Ira
vail is a part of the new heavens and
new earth birth, wherein dwelleth
Righteousness. So much groaning
n Travelling in pain must be before
the great day of the restoration of all
things. Whatever you carry means
less pain for others. You are thus a
vicarious sufferer. That made Jesus
perfect. 1t will you. Hottest of all
joys is the mothers heartache when
her child is sick, is that which the
father feels when his. boy is about to
contest for some great prize in life,
which the pastor knows as he yearns
after a wandering sheep. By bearing
our mutual voc and burdens the
BODY OF Christ is cleansed of spots,
ioses It's wrinkles, prepares for the
presentation ceremony.
Each member OF that body should
supplement it's head.
j.. AS an example. Jesus walks
no longer upon earth. Multitudes
never road from HI, E;o-,.-Lx -