Year: 1876

CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.


THE uEAT-sEnMoN BY REV. G. HEPwoBrH


Notwithstanding the heat yesterday, large congre-
cation assembled in the Church OF the Disciples, Mr.
HepworIhs After the preliminary exercises the pas
tor read portion OF tho fourth chapter OF Second
Kings--the history OF the Shunammite's son, whom
Elisha estored 10 life His text from Isaiah XIV,
IA refuge from the storm, a shadow from the
heat" II is very curious and very interesting to note
he influence which climate exercises upon nations,
nid Mr.. Hepworth. Those who live amid the
heats of southern temperatures who suffer.
Ing constantly from the vertical rays OF the
sun, think OF heaven as sweet spot where its burn
Ing heat is not felt, and they dream Of place 10
which they vii, 60 when they depart from this life
Those who live amid the SHOWS OF the north love to
think OF heaven as spot where the grass is always
green and whcro summer over reigns II one should
dwell in Scandinavia an would wish his neghbor we'll
he would tell him he hoped his are would burn
brightly when he reached home; in Contra
Africa that the would be clouded and
that tho rain would fall upon his
parched features. All through the Old Testament,
where the language symbolcal than that OF the
New we find the contrast between physical comfort
and physical discomfort resortod to- The man who
disrusts God lives outside the shadow, with the sun





ulncss filing the air with masma all night We see
IN the Psalms how David calls the Lord and asks
Him 10 hide him beneath the shadow OF His wing We
have all seen the hen in the country with her
litt" ones gathered under her. You can hear
her as she calls out to them scattered here
and thero all over the yard, when she hears he
sound OF danger IN the she hides them under her
wing; and wnen the eagle hawk aud looks
down upon his prey he sees nothing but the mother
with her wings spread over her flock 10 protect them.
So is It WITH U.s. Amid the temptations that beset us
nm all t.ipg ,n1 vail he inn nj
HIS osn wing that We may feel the warmth OF His
heart beating against ours; tha. can dnd no narm
coming to long trust upon His strength.
Bot want TO present TO you the contrast between


HEAT AND SHADOW.


We are old IN the Bible that God Is like the shadow
Of rock in weary land, and We can appreciate what
such shadow would be day like this. Let me draw
you ,hen two pictures betweena man OF the world and
Christian man. For long time the lsraelitcs trav
eco dreary deserts. sec hs broad plan There,
Is far as eye can reach It's monoony is unbroken by
single hiilock; not grass blade springs up upon it,
aud Tho poor Israc.es suncr from q disease OF The
rycs contracted in this de AS they wander from
day to day their ood growing less and less and their
becoming and at last expended altogether,
lhcy were discouraged in heart They looked up at
the mercicss that pouring torurng heat upon
them and their wives and Children they looked up
and they saw oasis beckoning them to Its GOODNESS.
Even ihs night brought no relief ~ot breath of arr
stirred on The plan, only tho stars came out and
looked upon their misery and their discomfort Is it
any wonder that they were discontented with their
leader and wanted to get back to the drudeery OF
Egypt' Those were terrible days when the sun had
mcrcy-whcn there was nothing for them but the
grave have looked upon the man of the world
pursuing the He has hope beyond
the grave. There nothing In the way o green grass
or reposc in his fc He lives in the exhaustion
of excitement all the day long. Hc has pursued
only that which VIII leave MIN cncrvstcd in will at
last.


Let us look at the contrast and We can do 1t with
some satisfaction on Ia day like this. VIC told that
when trusts in The Lord he lives In the shadow OF
NIL time. and think IT must have been glorious priv
ilcec when the sraeies gathered beneath that rock
the evening time ani he.coong water quenched thcir
thirst Mount Carmin was a promonitcry that pro-
TOT. Green trees sent their fragrance into
the air. Flowers many like those which
cultivate today made everything sweet with perfume.
The green grass carpet, to the top of tho
mountain and the foliage OF the trees made grateful
shade II was SO high up that even at noontime tho
breezes came and went TIL one felt calm and quiet and
serene in body and soul Stand moment upon that
pronontoy. Al the west you can see the waters Of
The Mediterranean You can almost hear the rustlinc
of the broezcs Then look at the breakers as
they rolling in and break into spray upon
The sand Then come with INC again right
wild flowers and scent their fragrance. The hrcezcs
making music Tor US. rhe heat is all gone and the
soolncss is upon And there We sit surrounded by
Sods shadow, protected by His wing There
led by HIS bounty, protected from all danger and
rest. We lie down at night and sleep rctrcsh;ngly and
wake in tie morning ready to do he duties of the day.
Here the contrast between those Two Ictures All
through the old and Iestaments the Grst picture
winch have drawn Tor you but mbol OF Lie OF
un, the other of the satisfied lite Of faith. whea
has 10 trust he is beneath the burning rays of the
sun, and when one has faith In God no is
sweet the thought that God is having His way IN
our life and that we are loving Him. living IN Him and
loyal TO HIM all the time such weather as this
makes one careful OF exposure. iou may Withstand
tLe heat OF to-day II your head is covered so many
fail every twenty four hours that We recognize the
danger under winch We are travelling. What blessed
thing would be If the showers would this alter
noon and II in place OF this lassltudc should be
invgoratcd and lifted up to health and strength
more. Perhaps he outward weather is but a type of
life. and that the who lives for Christ and
In Christ lives amid the cooling breezcs OF evening.


Let us not travel in the desert but let live with
Elisha tac woods OF Mount Csrmin God grant that
may 1--we the lie OF faith, and hnd IN the
know ledge OF who the shadow under which VIC 1--we