Gathering Jewels | Page 9

of sin. Second, a heart full of gratitude to God for this free gift. Third, the Apostle is not ashamed to acknowledge his entire indebtedness to God. What encouragement we may have from this circumstance in common with others to endeavor to do good; for if it was such an advantage to this man to be made whole, how great, then, must the advantage be to those, who are led to believe in Christ, and are delivered from condemnation, and become heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ."
New York, Sabbath, March 6, 1870.--Sermon [preached by Dr. McElroy's assistant] from 1st Thessalonians, 5th chapter, 17th verse: "Pray without ceasing."
1. By observing stated seasons for prayer.
2. Always maintain a prayerful spirit.
3. Always acting as in the immediate presence of God.
4. Turning everything into prayer.
New York, Sabbath, March 20, 1870.--Sermon preached by Mr. Chambers, to the Sabbath-school, from 6th chapter of Romans, 23d verse: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord."
1. The death of character.
2. The death of all good prospect.
3. The death of the body.
4. The death of the soul.
Fortieth Street Church, Sabbath, December 3, 1871.--Sermon preached by Mr. Chambers, from the 25th chapter of St. Matthew, 31st and 32d verses: "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of His glory. And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats."
Subject, the goats and sheep.
G--Go into dangerous places. O--Often annoy the sheep. A--Appear like sheep. T--Take poisonous food. S--Stubborn.
S--Seek the fold. H--Hear the shepherd's voice. E--Ever the same. E--Eat the wholesome food. P--Peaceful and peaceable.
New York, Sabbath, December 30, 1883.--Heard Rev. Dr. Conkling preach from St. Matthew, 17th chapter and 8th verse: "And when they had lifted up their eyes they saw no man save Jesus only."
1. Take Jesus as your guide. 2. Trust Jesus as your Saviour. 3. We should follow Jesus as our example. 4. We should love Jesus with a supreme love.
I heard Mr. Moody preach from the 11th chapter of Hebrews and the 16th verse: "But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city." This he divided into three parts:
I. The persons referred to are believers.
(a.) They lived by faith. (b.) They died in faith.
II. They were called by His name; and realized His presence.
III. He had prepared for them a city.
Sabbath, November 21st.--Preached by Mr. Chambers to the children of the Sabbath-school, from Proverbs 20th chapter and 11th verse: "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right." Subject: How children may be known. First. We will take the word Lord, and let each letter stand for a word, or a particular part.
L--Love. Love to God, etc. O--Obedience. Obedience to God and to their parents. R--Respectful to their superiors. D--Doing good.
How bad children are known:
Take one word and let each letter stand for a particular subject. By their
D--Disobedience. E--Enticing others to evil. V--Vanity and pride. I--Insulting to their superiors. L--Love of sin.
Heard Mr. Chambers preach from the 19th chapter of St. Matthew's gospel and the 13th and 14th verses: "Then were brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and his disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said: Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
A. Approach of the parents to Christ. B. Blessing sought. C. Conduct of the disciples. D. Displeasure of Christ. E. Encouragement of Christ to the parents of the children. F. Familiar reception of those parents and the children on the part of Christ. G. Gracious words of Christ. H. Heavenly requirements.
Improvement, or instructions from lesson. Under the 8th head of the discourse, Heavenly requirements, he referred to five characteristics of children as designated by the five letters of the word child; viz., C, Confiding. H, Happy. I, Inquisitive. L, Loving. D, Dependants.
Citing another interesting sermon, he writes:
New York, September 25th (Sabbath).--Heard Rev. George O. Phelps preach from the 3d chapter of Acts and 6th verse, "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." The true followers of Christ, in their desire to do good, will frequently find cases to excite their sympathy. Here was a most affecting case, a man lame from his mother's womb, but is suddenly cured by the power of God. He was directed by Peter