Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-05-17
AASATURDAY
G1R NIGHT
/ SERMONS
BY
RxAxuElw.puRNEln
THE FACE ILLUMINED.


Text And he was transhguFcd before
them. Matt xvii. .
One flash of lightning reveals the
landscape thcnceforth memory. The
travellers road leads over high hill
From the summit lie can see sparkling
river many shaded green of foliage
and above all. the flashing spires of the
distant city. his goal. II is fore
CLEAN that floods his eyes and mem
DRY. Then he desccuds the valley. the
plains and lowlands of his journey.
But the vision OF the city's glory Is
forever in his minds eye.
II is afternoon on the side of Mount
Hermon. The Nazarene is taking three
OF his most sympathetic disciples. the
crown. the flower of the little apostolic
band. up 10 the heights. Not many
words are spoken \ climax is evident
~ at hand Men talk on levels. not
much In ascents In the distance n
caravan OF camels IS coming from
Joppa. Back of them the mountains of
Palestine rear their heads. In front the
sky and sea seem one nj the far hori-
zon. At sunset summit is reached.
900 feet above sea level. The western
sky changes from scarlet and purple
10 yellow and gold and ivory. The
light trembles-and then darkness. \
few lights flash like treilies In distant
Caesarea. II is now night Night is the
time for vision. Isaac goes out into the
fields at eventime to mediate. At
night David prosiratcs himself before
God by night Nicodcmus comes TO the
Master for conference Jesus Is soon
nj prayer. The three disciples also pray.
but are soon heavy with sleep.
The Face lllumined.
While they slept Christ prayed. They
woke with subconsciousness of spirit
ual nearnesscs. Possibly the Masters
clothing first caught their drowsy eyes.
Garments are incidental in Gods sight.
but Christs raiment was shining as
lightning. No linen could compare
with It's dazzling wilderness. The out
ward is minor. not major. Dress may
proclaim the man. but there must iirst
be man. A second glance showed
"his face did shine Luke adds. las he
prayed" Prayer alters the face. H.
lumines the features with "a light that
never was on sea or land" There Is a
beauty not OF the earth. The body Is
the lantern: the soul Is the light. An
inner and an outer light differ. Put the
light within an alahaster vase or mar
Bile bust. place the electric bulb within
the exquisite Favrille glass lamp shade.
hold the candle behind the hand
flesh Is translucent 70 inner light Ste.
phen's face looked like an angel Pray
in order to look. Spiritual beauty Is
the chiseling of God. The human face
is lighted by JOY. darkcned by sorrow.
II Is not only doorplate on which Is
written our name. but the window
through which ones soul peers.
A Heavenly Triumvirate.
Then appeared unto him Moses and
Elijah" Like attracts like. Each one
a man Of prayer fasting and holy
mount vision OF God Three links in
the chain-law. prophecy. gospel. Aft
er many CENTURIES Moses l.5oO years.
Elijah 1000 years-they meet rs
though contemporary. What about the
theory OF nonconscious existence re-
tween our death and Christs second
coming; II must go TO pieces on this
rock. How about recognition OF the
dead? II we could recognize those We
have never seen in the flesh. how much
more those of our own flesh and blood
Talking with him." You may talk
with rare souls on the mount Of con
geniality or with low spirits on she
plain Of the commonplace-that rests
with YOU Great men talk OF great
themes. Men may be measured bs
their governing thoughts. Walk with
Milton rather than Zola Commune
with angels. you will learn the Ian
guage OF heaven: go with wolves. YOU
will learn TO howl. Christ's approach
ing death was their theme. Peter an
swered" Always Peter. Ever see a
young greyhound leaping with hi
paws against everything? Let u,
make here three tahernacles Tia :
impossible. Already the light is dis
solving like the colors OF sunset. W.
lose by attrition.
The Clouds Lining.
A voice is speaking from the clouds
This Is my blessed Son" That,
something to remember In dark days
10 come when men are shouting bias
phemer." devil" and cruelty him.
Clouds are dark only on their under
side. In every cloud listen for God
Jehovah dwcit above the tabernacle II
a cloud II was cloud that receive,
the ascending Saviour The disciples
will never forget that experience. II
all probability the reflected light shon,
from them for many n day. I've sect
folks who aforctime were heavy an'
hopeless featured Then some nigh
they went up into the mountain witt
their Lord From that day their lives
vvera diferanf II often fakes Somt