Year: 1876

SERMON OF RRv. DIR. POvEY ON THE MIRACLES


OF ELISHA.


The Rev. J. Povey preached at the Presbyterian
church OF the Sea and Land yesterday He said that
In the miracles of Elisha have lesson that is ap.
plicabe day and to ourselves 1t true we are
unable 10 understand these mysteries OF the Scrip
lures less than all understand that of the res.
direction OF the dead Reason falls philosophy fails
to tell us aught concerningi IT, But although our rca.
con cannot comprehend these mysteries, yet VIC are
bound to believe them 1t is true that many say We
should believe only what understand But IL we
accept that will find ourselves surrounded BY mys
teries which Will always bo beyond our comprc-
hcnsion. Take the miracle of Elisha in rails
in these days of scientific discovery that
this was simply the utilization oil hidden force, with
will say that through magnetism or electricity the
prophet awakened the child from some stupor IL was
IN. But mono OF these forces give lie, and mbcr
the Scripture distinctly says the child was dead This
experiment Of science. II was a miracle
wrought by the Intervention Of God. There some
pertinent lessons in this miracle OF Elisha as told in
the Scripture And, hrst 1t ncucatcs the prcccpt of
Kindness. The prophet was passing through the place
where lived the mother OF the child he raised
Kindness ot her heart tins invited him INTO her
abode and gave hlm chamber wherein TO rest And
was possessed OF another cnnohlipg virtuc She was
contented When the protection OF the King Of
fered her she declined it, saying that she


SATISFIED WITH LOT,


and more too In spite her and in spite Of
tho cloud that rested on her homo she resigned
Here is lesson Tor every You who sigh and
lament over your every day Sorrows you who weep
the child the friend who has been taken away
the other sphere, remember tho gnaton of tho
woman OF the Scripture. When trials come upon
you, when sorrow enters your abode and drives
JOY from your fresde, do not abandon
yourself TO vain regrets and to
fruitful lamentations Be full of resignation to Gods
will and He Himself will send you succor Another
lesson is the supplying OF material means 10 the
prophet through which to effect the miracle Prayer
alone is not always efficient Tho supplied us
to accomplish something must be made Of Jesus
Christ Himself always employed tho that
offered to teach His great lessons well he did the
invocation Of Hts Fathers name We, too must use
the means that God has given to accomplish the
ends OF every day life well the OF religion
and truth. We must seek knowledge, must use tho
advantages which may be thrown IN our way, and
then must JOIN prayer TO all. Take the work
of evangt lization, which is task committed
to us all 1t is not sufliclcnt pray
for the Of the heather rcgene
OF the wicked The millions who are plunged in the
dcuscst ignorance in the wilds Of India aud the dos
OF Africa. the uncducated and unrecla.med who
in this great city jostc in he and go blndy
onward to pcrditiOn-all these than prayer
TO save them. There have been means supplied US to
effect their elevation God always Turn ishcs instr
mcnts for working out his ends Ii is tor US TO handle
them IS for Us to take these means OF achieving
great thugs and apply them until the ends
and God commits TO are accomplished. There
Let US use them; let us apply them all, and do
let US hft up our hearts to God and our
work by prayer, that all powerful agent that brings
IN contact with Omnipoloncc.