Evening journal., 1916-01-21
The Gift of Peace
Sermon preached in the Tabernacle yesterday by Lyon


sure, and at last they are possessed
with social ennui and in despair
they are practicing a kind of mental
hypnosis. They are denying the eX-
istence of suffering and pain. of dis
ease and sin. They are declaring
that these are but phantoms OF the
mind and by a process Of auto-sug-
gestion are seeking to rid themselves
OF all unrest. They I'm the end are no
more satisfied than the opium vic
tim who, under the influence OF the
narcotic, believes himself to be trans
ported into some elysium of rapture
and bliss. But when at last the truth
is revealed and he returns to his
right senses, his future seems the
more dark and bitter on account Of
the delusion. While it is true that
our minds have a great influence over
our conditions and. as Shakespeare
has said, "There is nothing either
good or bad but thinking makes it
So" and that more than half Of our
ills and troubles are merely bor-
rowed or imaginary. and thus mind
cure has a legitimate place in hui
man experience, yet to satisfy all Ills
as simply a mental state does not
have a basis either in science or in
fact
All these human endeavOrs point in
one direction. TO the great need for
peace and rest, but they also show
how futile are all human plans and
efforts to gain the desired end. Like
the Spanish adventurer who sought
the fountain of perpetual youth, and
at last. broken in health. in weakness
and in poverty died in despair; so
the soul may follow all the various
paths OF the worlds allurements. he
may drink deep OF its pleasures. but
at last disheartened and disappointed
lie down and die IL is then that we
turn to Christ's cure for unrest. Like
Peter. we exclaim Lord, to whom
shall we go? Thou hast the words Of
eternal life"
In contrast. then. with the vain
seeking Of the world let us consider
Christs gift of peace. His peace is
permanent and eXhaustless. 1t is
found in the fact Of cleansing from
sin. The Psalmist reioices in a saliva
tion so comprehensive. in a Saviour 81
all-suficient. that his iniquities were
forgiven. his diseases were healed
and his life was redeemed from de-
struction. Here is a work that is
past, present and future. Christ not
/ only redeems from the guilt OF sin
II is sin that IS the source Of this
worlds sorrows. II is sin that fur
! rows the brow before its time. that
brings the sleepless nights and trou-
| bled days. and no peace can be real
and permanent without the cure oi
this first cause OF human sorrow ant
discomfort. Many would like to b'
i free from the punishment of sin that
are not anxious to be rid Of the sir
itself To deaden the irritated nerve
and to allow the thorn in the flesh tC
remain would be not benefit but al
injury. Christ gives peace by strik
ing the tree OF discomfort at its yer,
root We are not called upon L
make peace. but TO take peace. Peace
has been made for us by Christs sac
rifice and death. Like grace. it is no
of works. neither OF purchase; Il i
a gift MY peace I give unto you"
But there are many that have faitl
in the atoning work of Christ tina
still do not obtain forgiveness be
cause they omit one essential condi
tion. namely, the forsaking of sin. I'll
that covereth his transgressions sha
not prosper. but who so confesset
= and forsaketh them shall obtail
mercy"
Be sure your sin will find you on
It is only in repentance for sin, re
pentance even to the purpose to ceas
and part entirely from the evil-doinl
that the blood of Christ can avail TO
cleansing, and conscience can b.
{ calmed.
But the gift of peace cannot be OBJ
tanned simply by the forgiveness O
sin, but by implicit obedience &
Christs commands. There are man
that have peace with God that do no
r have the peace of God IF a ma
!, love Me" said Jesus, "he will kee
) My word and My Father will lov
] him and We will come unto him an
- make Our abode with him" The in
l dwelling presence of God is essentii
S for the peace of God. and the gift {
G His presence can be gained only b
e keeping His commandments. Gre;
= peace have they that love Thy lay
S and they have none occasion of stun
e bling" Disobedience inevitably prC