Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-10-29
The Times Dispatch Sunday
Sermon
THE FATHERS soLIcIrUDE.
Dy j. a. I;ubDnk

Dy j. a. EubRnk.
Thus saith the Lord What iniouity have
your fathers found in Me. that they are gone
far from Me. and have walked after vanity
ana are become vain? Hath nation
changed their gods, which arc yet no gods
but My people have changed their glory for
that which doth not pront."--Jercrniah H., 8,
H.
w" know Of more striking example in
all religious history of the solicitude of the
Father for the children OF His creation than
Is found recorded In the BOOK of jeremiah
Of His pleading with the backsliding Israel
ties to renew their faith In Him by rrmcm-
bering His guiding and supporting presence
IN ali OF the difficulties and trials of the past.
ana to hcarken To His voice and walk in His
ways in the future.
f"rhapS It's nearest counterpart is found
In the words at Jesus of Nazareth on His
last visit to Jerusalem before His crucifixion
AS in sorrow Iie exclaimed: 30 Jerusalem
Jerusalem. thou that kilcst the prophets and
s,oheS' them which are sent unto thee. how
or would have gathered thy children to-
Ee'hcf, even as a hen gathcreth her chickc ms
unoer her wings, and yc would not!'
The same solicitude that the Father OK
pressed for the children OF Israel through
the mouth of His prophet Jeremiah. as He
saw them wandering from His counsel into
the ways Of vanity. He stii feels for all those
who profess Him their God. yet have be-
a'ine vain and changed their glory for that
which doth not profit"
We may boast Of tho superiority OF our
Christian civilization To that OF the past
ana Halter ourselves that we are keeping
the whole counsel OF the Lord God better
Than the children of Israel with whom He
pleaded. but let us not deceive ourselves
there are abundant evidences TO dsprovc tho
claim In Christian nations" OF even this gen
Grafton.
Every charge the Lord brought against tho
lSr""i!tes can be suhstantlated in the con-
duct of those who call themselves Christians
today.
In the construction OF the civilization
which we behold today. have been helped
along by the thought and labor of those W bn
preceded us for many centuries Through
th''r toll and moil. amid privation and car
mage, we have entered into heritage not
ptr'ect' but rich In Its evolutionary posi-
bhtites In building upon tina, superstruc-
'ure' we fear from the many appearances Of
Enthusiastically tina, we have buIIded too
h'uch AT the TOP. and neglected altogether 10
broaden and strengthen the foundation
consider the HON" life OF today and tina,
ol the past; look abroad and see the moral
"cprarity that is ealing like IA cancer at the
very heart Of society. is cloakcd by church
on" state a!ikc. and then deny. ir you can
mat the essential foundations of true civiliza
ton are rafting from under us
II the Lords testimony is sure even ,bo
most casual observer OF the signs Of ,hc
times must confess that the evils which over
spread IN" land. and against which there Is
complaining everywhere. ha We come abo,,, no.
through any !aXity His part to meet III,
promise I" guide into paths of blessedncss
nut rather through departure from M.
teachings, in which all true progress mus,
find its origin and strength
30 strong Is the Lords so!citude for ,y;s
people as Elimpsed in the text ,hnt Ito
contrasts their nfdelty to Him with tho
iait'tul devotion of the f,>athcn nations IN
'her gods which are yet no gods" that bv
pq"inS their national pride they might bc
moved 10 realizing sense OF how far tbev
ht' gone in their backsldngs
hhH enduring mercy and unfailinr pati.ncc
Is peautiiulIy cxcmplhed in the stntem.n,
i"lio"lns His indictment OF the peop,e for
'hcir untaithfulness. In which lie savs.
wherefore. Will Yet plead with YOU saI,f,
me Lord and with your chldrcn.s Children
Will plead"
Ana yet with all or the Fathers rleadi,p
Tor the love and confidence OF His childre,
ana the assurance of the immutable promIs.
Draw nigh to God and He will draw niyh
|" YOU men are hardening their hearts to-
ward God. leaving Him out of their liv,s
ana relying wholly upon the contrary com
sells or men To guide mankind into it's on,,
destiny. 1900