The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1911-10-20
AASATURDAY
G%Is) NIGHT
I SERMONS
BY
zs1.Rs RNAtunw.pURyEln
rur HEAVEN KISSING HILLS.

NIOu WOTlu anu uou "O'u NV
full OF mountains. Every continent
has It's great range. Every Bible book
Is crowded with towering peaks. What
book influence OF Hills In History
would be! Mountains used to divide
nations. but not ours. Eastern Penn
syivnua Is not divided from western
by Allcghenics. The Adlrondacks do
not make northeastern New York hos
tile to the rest Of the state. Tho
White mountains OF New Hampshire,
Green mountains of Vermont Blue
mountains OF Pennsylvania, Red noun,
tains of New Mexico, Black Hills OF
Dakota, do not make inhabitants of op-
posite sides enemies.
Healing In tho Hills.
The psalmiSt was right - there's
strength in the hills. They've always
nourishcd brave souls and love OF lib.
crty. You can't cnslave mountain pco-
pie. In city life man loses his
strength. The food he eats, the water
he drinks. the air he brcathcs, even the
constant touch OF his fellows, tends to
hills. They lift up their heads to kiss
the heavens and catch the breath or
the clouds. There the woods are full
OF birds nests. There, deep in the
heart of the forest, among ferns rare
and delicate where beast and bird
Qucnch their thirst, the mighty river
IS born. There it triCklcs and gurglea
and gets n song in its heart and thanks
God After awhile 1t nears the sea
and floats ships of war and commerce
on its bosom, but 1t still remembers,
like soul cstrangcd from God, its
mountain home, and the birds, and the
squirrel, and the wild fawn, and the
fash OF the speCkled trout In It's waters,
sweet and clear. The sea moCks Its
lost children and lets them die crazed
with thirst. The mountains give them
berries red. and honey sweet, and
waters cool. The mountains are the
worlds great sanitarlums, the earth's
free tonic. Says the physician to the
pale faced mother: Lung trouble. You
for the mountains. Up where the trees
are full OF healing, the pine and the
balsam fir, get your lungs full of brac'
ing breezes. It's better than pills and
powder. It's Gods own medicine for
tired men and weary women" Mother
smiles bravely. Visions of hilltops rug
ged and strong dark green with cedar,
fiji her mind, and the Bible promise
"The strength of the hills is his also"
| assures her soul.
Sinai. the mount OF the law. There
| in the wilderness, mid rough rocks and
towering crags. God spoke to the hosts
of Israel, led by pillar OF cloud and fire.
As Il mirror reveals marks of mud,
| soil of SCOT. blotch OF blood. so the law
reveals mark and soil and blotch Of
sin upon the soul. The mirror cannot
wash the face. It points us to the basin
| for cleansing. The law leads US from
| dark clouds OF Sinai to sunny slopes Of
| Calvary.
Moriah, where Abram came to Of
fer Isaac. On Calvary God gives him
self to us. On Moriah we give ourselves
| to him. Abrams heart was Isaac cen
| tered, instead Of God Centercd. Is
| there some Isaac, some idol, between
| you and your God? To Moriah, out
| Win your knll'.
| PiSgah. the mount OF vision, where
the Lord took Moses and showed him
| the land of prOmse--the mount that
makes us hOmcsick for heaven.
| Could l but climb where Moses stood
And view the landscape DER
| Not Jordans stream nor deaths cold flood
| Could fright me from that shore
Quarantania, mount of temptation.
| Testing time-oak strong and sound or
| poplar brittle and rotten? Joseph to
stand or Judas to fall? This is the
most beautiful mountain in Palestine.
green topped, golden slOped. Mounts
of temptation are not bleak and cold,
but sunny and honey laden. The devil
does not strew thorns, but flowers.
The beauty OF Quarantania is its dan
ger. Christ escaped by prayer. To
your knees.
Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees,
Hermon, mount Of Christ's transfig
uration. His face did shine as the sun.
His common carpenters coat looked
like luster Of lilies. Have you lost the
music from your soul, the laughter
| IIDlu your utuIl, luc SlpIS rum SDul
face? Up to Mount IIermOn! Trans
fguratiOn changes all. The kitchen be
comes a kingdom, kettles coronets,
drudgery divine.
Calvary, mount OF crucitiXiOn.
Mount Everest is the highest noun
tain in the world. Off with your hat
in the presence of the king mountain
Of the world No; we correct our.
selves. Not Everest, but Calvary, is the
highest mount. Everest gives you a
view Of the Himalayas, Calvary a Wis
lon Of God. Everest shows an earthly
landscape. Calvary a heavenly. Ev-
crest offers scenery, Calvary salvation
Everest reveals wonders OF creation
Calvary wonders OF recreation. Not
Sinai, whispering Thou shalt die" but
Calvary, assuring II am come that ye
might have life"
Olivet, the mount of Christ's as
cension. All the weary way from man.
ger to throne, now he stops with hands
extended in blessing. Now he ascends
From this mount Stephen rose. Paul
ascended Here your mother stood one
l fyln