Year: 1873

M. Laurriaux, Of the Evangelical Alli-


ancc, ON Repentance and Divine For


Eivcness.


M. Laurriaux. young pastor from Paris and
one Of the delegates sent by the French Church to
the Worlds Convention Of the Evangelical Alliance
preached On eloquent sermon yesterday morning
in the Eglise Reformee Francase worshipping in
Association Hall, corner OF Fourth avenue and
Twenty-third street. He took his text from Luke,
XIX, 1-6, in dscoursing from which he said Jesus
had just entered Jericho. In raversng the of
that city an incident attracted his attention
had climbed tree by the wayside, and was regard
ing him with an atiectiOnate interest. The Evange-
list gives few details concerning this person. He
was small Of stature, his name Zaccheus and
his business was that of publican, receiver OF i'm
posts-a profession scorned and hated by the Jews
OF that day. That such man should feel neces-
sity to see Jesus, serious work must have been
wrought in his soul. He had, no doubt, heard the
rough but powerful preaching Of John the Baptist
in the desert, and the moving accents OF the
prophet, his pressing appeals to the conscience
and the solemn announcement OF the immediate
coming OF the Messiah had stirred the
heart OF Zaccheus, and had awakened in
him that salutary concern which precedes
conversion. Thus, when he learned that
he who heals the wretched and the suffering Is
within the walls of his city, he longs him and
to hear his voice. He left all and runs to meet
Him. My brethren, the Saviour has come near to
us aso in our city, in our houses; but what recep
Jion has He met Alas


LIKE THE PRoDIGAL SON.


we have wasted the paterna inheritance, and are
no more worthy to stand in the presence Of our
God. Zacheus might have remained quietly seated
In his Office. Hearing the noise OF the crowd, he
might have cOntented himself with asking the cause,
only to resume his work and forget the stranger who
tor moment had interrupted IT. Alas 1t is thus
that we too often act. Jesus has come near to





heart; we have been drawn towards His person;
we have been upon the point OF embracing Him,
but our hand has remained motionless. Little by
little we have drawn back, and now we are far
away from our best friend. why this hesitation
1t would have been necessary to renounce or, at
least, to have given the second place in atrec-
accept these sacriscess Where nd the strength
necessary to renounce the world for Christ
Withdraw, 0 gracious but nnwelcome visltant. |
true happiness is in Thee, but lack the power the
courage; BY and by come again, then VIII
knowest thou that thou shalt be yet in the land of
the ivngf 1t Is thus that Zaccheus felt. He said,
run to him. and he throws himself in the way
where the Messiah must pass. Let us here admire
the courage OF the publican. He knew that in thus
climbing a tree he exposed himself 10 the jeers OF
the crowd. With what eagerness they would point


THE FINGER OF sC0RN


at this vile representative OF the Roman power
But what cares he Tor their gibes and mockeryY
He listens only to his ardent desire to Jesus
anu LaSJe his saV8tlOn. we are lar from the
times when Zaccheus climbed the sycamore to see
the Saviour OF men: far from the times when the
Master himself was raised on the tree OF infamy to
deliver us from condemnation; far from the times
when Paul mounted the steps Of the temples OF
Athens to proclaim to m0cklng and hostile
crowd the cruciied, the Redeemer OF men: far,
very far from the times when our fathers mounted
vallantly the funeral pile, and when q Christian
mother cheered on her martyr son to death by
crying, Courage, my child; Jesus awaits your
coming" And 1t is because so far from these
tian courage, that we have so little OF their peace,
their consolation in the midst OF trial. their seren
ity In the thckest OF the fight. Whenever we
shall find the power to tear ourselves from our soft
indulgence and our


CULPABLE PUsTILAHIMrrY;


whenever we shall give to the eternal interests OF
our souls their legitimate place in our exertions,
that moment we shall find Jesus, for He has long
kept Himself near u.s. and has been awaiting our
consent to enter our hearts and to crown us with
the blessings which He purchased Tor us by His lie
and HIS death. His words are :--"Behold, stand
at the door and knock; II any man will
hear my voice and open the door I will
come in TO him and will sup with him
and he with me.n My brethren, what answer do
you make to this invitations Shall we let this
divine vistant remain longer at the doorr 100
often have we refused to open TO Him. We nave
suffered Him to remain witnout-Him so good, so
dlsnterested, so loving 1t seems to me that see
Him draw near to us and address to each one
WORD OF CONSOLATION AND HOPE -,
Poor sinner overwhelmed with trials, SO weak
so ready to benu under the burden OF the uay, 10
come to thy relief To save thee nave nveu IN
the midst OF cruel and pisiless enemies; nave
known poverty and desertion; nave en-
dured unutterabe sufferngs; ! have wrestled
H.. a1sad