Gathering Jewels Part 4

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 G.o.d is not ashamed to be called their G.o.d; 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 G.o.d, etc.

O--Obedience. Obedience to G.o.d 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 G.o.d. He was directed by Peter to look upon John and himself, a.s.suring him that they had neither silver nor gold, but such as they had he would give. He had only to look upon them, Peter and John, at the beautiful gate that is supposed to divide the Gentiles from the inner Court.

1. The power of Christ displayed in such a remarkable manner on this occasion. 2. The faith of the man in doing as he was told, and the effects produced. 3. The faith of Peter and John, united with their desire to work a miracle in this man's case. 4. The grat.i.tude of this man; he had received far more than he had expected.

Their success was even more than they had antic.i.p.ated. They had gone forth at the command of Christ. They had not only respect for His authority, but they gave testimony to this by their ready obedience to the command of Jesus, and thus far they had the satisfaction of doing the will of their Lord and Master.

It was a loving obedience, as can be seen by the results that followed.

They commenced their work _right_, receiving their instructions from their Saviour Himself. They went forth relying upon Him for the help and a.s.sistance required.

They returned again to give him their report, and they rejoiced to feel that their success was even beyond what they expected. And yet, while the Saviour heard their report, He cautioned them not to let their success occupy too much of their attention, but rather rejoice because their names are written in heaven. It is pleasant to know that when we obey the Lord, as these seventy disciples did, that we adhere strictly to all His words of command; and that we know that we have experienced the love of G.o.d in our hearts; but yet we are not to make this the ground-work of our rejoicing, but trust more in that which is done without us than in that which is done within us.

Another grand characteristic of the elder was his almost invariable custom to watch and note the providential dealings of G.o.d with the officers of the church, whenever they met for the transaction of business.

His fidelity in noting the texts preached from, down to the last Sabbath he spent on earth, is a proof of his unparalleled perseverance and painstaking in keeping his diary.

We close this part of our work by giving our readers a sample of his carefulness at this time.

_New York, October 10th_ (_Sabbath evening_).--Heard Mr. Young preach from the 5th chapter of Romans and 1st verse: "Therefore being justified by faith," etc., and onward, giving an account of Rome the imperial city, and its surroundings; also the triumphs and advances of Christianity notwithstanding the opposition which the church had to encounter.

The last sermon he ever heard on earth was peculiarly appropriate to prepare his mind and heart for the peaceful closing hour of this mortal life. He again writes:

_New York, October 17th, 1886_ (_Sabbath evening_).--Heard Mr. Young preach from the 11th chapter of St. John's Gospel, and the 39th verse: "Jesus said, Take ye away the stone.... Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of G.o.d?" Unfolding the omnipotency of Christ's love in the hour of sickness and sorrow--also the profound sympathy with the sorrowing sisters of Bethany in their great bereavement; and His matchless power over death and the grave, because He said, "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."

In closing this part of our work we would remark, that there are very few men who have been so painstaking and methodical as to record in their diary all the texts, time, and place, and the preacher's name, in connection with the sermons to which he was permitted to listen.

Their commencement, continuation, and close, is all that s.p.a.ce allows for further insertion.

CHAPTER IV.

THE LAST HOURS.