Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1910-03-01
Or. kAuFMAN,s SERMON
AT METHODIST CHURCH
Preached on The Shepherds Psalm
It's Popularity, Power and Beauty.

Rev. DIR. NJ. s. Kaufman spoke sun
day evening at Trinity Methodist
Episcopal church on The snepnero a.
Beauty" His text WAS Thou art Win
me-" Psalm 1874.
He said in part:
David the shepherd-king may wen De
recognized as the poet laureate OF hui
manity; and. more, the poet-laureate
of the kingdom of God. Surely no other
singer of secular or sacred lyrics ap-
proaches the sweet singer of Israel in
the myriads of hearts captivated py
the music of his verse, In his power 10
comfort and inspire, and in the su-
preme simplicity, warmth and beauty
great poet has written one poem which
is regarded as his masterpiece, the
finest expression. of his poetic genlus.
This is true of Homer Virgil, Dante
Milton, Tennyson. Browning II is no
less true OF David. Most likely literary
critics would generally agree that his
masterpiece, the finest expression of
his poetic nature, is the twenty-third
Psalm, measured by its popularity. it's
power and its beauty. 1t is worthy or
note that I'm the Bible 1t stands be
tween two other Psalms which strike
the deepest depths of sorrow and the
Hottest heights of JOY. The twenty
second Psalm opens with the very
words of Jesus uttered at His darkest
moment on the cross: My God, my
God, why hast thou forsaken rneT
ana the CWenty-IOurtn 1sdfh ciobcs
with these tubilant words: Lift up
your heads, o ye gates; even lift them
up ye everlasting doors and the King
of Glory shall come in" One is terri
ed the Psalm of the Cross and the
other the Psalm of the Crown. The
former tells of the Good Shepherd who
died for His sheep: the latter of the
Chief Shepherd who has prepared a
safe fold for all that are His; while
this twenty-third portrays the Great
Shepherd who ever guards His mock
securely and provides for all their
wants with royal bountifulness. David
himself had been a shepherd and un-
derstood perfectly well the intimate re-
lations existing between shepherd and
sheep. Hence he spoke out OF bis own
personal experiences. For God had ac-
tuaIly been to him all that he here
declares.
1t is truly a wonder Psalm--a .gIori-
Gus revelation of one of the richest
hearts God ever made. Its chief charm
comes to us in the fact that IL IL in
spired of God. This gives it unques-
may rest assured or this not upon
David'S testimony alone but because
God endorses 1t. Its blessed truth, so
full of comfort and cheer, reach us
from Gods heart through David's heart
and life-thus affording us two credible
witnesses; both the humand and the di-
vine, making assurance doubly sure.
SO that every one who Is recognized
by the Good Shepherd as His sheep
every one that knows His voice-may
be just certain as David was that
all the claims of this choice lyric are
absolutely reliable. Untold millions of
the sincere followers of Christine
guarding, guiding ever leading divine
Shepherd felt just as sure as
David did that all was well with them
and would be well forever.
Our text, Thou art with me-" stands
at the exact center of the Psalm. This
ia re- fhT~f.I .iFlo lrf sol IIR
presence with His children is a rich
and strengthening truth. If we exam
inc carefully the construction of this
pastoral song we shall find IL consists
of two parts of nearly equal length
the first gathers about the figure of a
shepherd and the sheep of his flock.
The second presents a father and his
family. In the former we have an out
door scene; pasture, valley, paths, still
waters, the overarching sky. In the
latter we are in a commodious house
with host and guest-a banquet room
where tables are spread with album
dance of choicest viands and all hearts
are Overlooking with joy. THE Lord
is my shepherd" and this is very
delightful relationship. But He is
much more. He is my own powerful,
wise. loving Father.
The shepherd idea OF God is very
significant for the Old Testament peo-
pie But the Father conception be-
longs to the New Testament era in
which Jesus Christ places SO much en-
phasis upon Coos actual Fatherhood.
The subordinate idea Of our being
Gods guests in this world IS charm
ing. 1 like IL. But 1t is not so charm :
ing as the deeper, richer, sweeter truth
that we are His children-members OF
His royal family, princes and princess
es of the Eternal King. Guests, how
ever we'll treated. come and go. But
the sons and daughters OF Gods great
spiritual home abide forever.
After all the real value of this radi-
ant literary gem is found in its accu-
racy and truthfulness. However pref
ty and attractive it might be, how in