A SERMON BEE
5. Its Practical Lessons are two. Example and stimulus for his followers to
“endure unto the end,” and encouragement to those “without.” “He will not fail” you, nor “be discouraged” about you: he saveth to the uttermost.
It was also proposed to show the Redeemer’s perseverance in the case of each believer this would be a very choice subject.
Thus we passed on from verse to verse till we reached the 16th. We can only remember a few of the jewels which were dropped around us by the brethren.
On verse sixth, “I will give thee for a covenant of the people,” the Lord was spoken of as the surety, the seal, the substance, the mediator, and the federal head of the covenant, and as the covenant itself. On the words, “I will give thee for a light of the Gentiles,” Christ as a light, and a light to ignorant, deluded, sinful, miserable Gentiles, was also suggested to cur consideration.
“Light of those whose dreary dwelling Borders on the shades of death.”
None need him more or will prize, him more than those whose darkness is extreme. Y. P. illustrated the promise contained in the words “I will hold, thy hand,” from a father’s holding a child’s hand to guide him, to comfort him, or to strengthen him. “The arms of his hands were made strong by the mighty God of Jacob.” When the boy tries to draw the bow his father puts his hand upon the boy’s hands and imparts his own force to his pull.
Verse 7 is so rich that there was hardly any room or need for exposition.
Verse 8 The Lord’s jealousy of his glory, and. the practical lessons to be derived therefrom.
Verse 9 1. The novelties of grace — “new things do I declare.” 2. Though new to our experience, they are the “old, old story” of the word — “before they spring forth I tell you of them.” 3. The confirmation to our faith which this fact affords when we see how the Bible end our own experience tally we gather confidence in God.
Verse 10. V.P. remarked upon the text as a suitable vindication of the abundant singing at revivals. P. suggested that a new song is asked for because we are new men, with new knowledge, new mercies, and new hopes. Old songs are not good enough, nor suitable to new circumstances, nor expressive of cur own peculiar delights: besides, it would argue
indolence to go on for ever in one strain, and honor the Lord with stale music.
It was proposed to take the two verses as exhorting people under all spiritual conditions, as well as in all physical positions to sing unto the Lord: — the far off ones, the restless souls at sea, the lonely ones like islets cut. off from fellowship, the barren ones in the wilderness, the little ones in the villages, the believers to whom Christ is only a refuge, and the assured on the mountain top. This was dwelt upon as a jubilant theme to be handled when the heart is in tune.
Verse 13 contains a fresh and stimulating topic — the Lord in battle. 1. His power displayed. 2. His jealousy aroused. 3. His voice heard. 4. His victory secured.
Verse 16 produced many remarks. W. suggested divisions — 1. The unknown way. 2. The known guide. P. remarked upon four kinds of blind;
the physically, mentally, spiritually, and consciously blind, and reminded the brethren that at the end of the London-road, Southwark, they have all
four; on the right is the Blind School, for the physically blind; on the left;
Bethlehem Hospital, for the mentally blind; right before yoga, St. George’s Catholic Cathedral for the spiritually blind, and the Christian man is himself the fourth, or consciously blind. The words of our Lord to the Pharisees were quoted, “Now ye say we see, therefore your sin remaineth”: and P.
added this outline — 1. Who these consciously blind are? 2. What does God promise to do for them? Bring, lead, etc. 3. What comes of his guidance? I will make, etc. 4. How it all ends? Fulfilled promises — “these things will I do unto them.” Everlasting preservation, “and not forsake them.” These are mere gleanings of the vintage. Marty voices contributed to the harmony of thought, and no one raised a discordant note, or one aside from the subject.
It was now proposed to begin at the right hand corner of the fire and each one give an outline of a sermon. Our brother B. who is wealthy in all good things, gave us a handful of his golden apples. One was founded on.
Proverbs 9:8: “He knoweth not that the dead are there.”
There are other houses besides those of “ill-fame,” which contain the dead, and there are other temptresses besides the “strange woman.” There are, 1. Madam Avarice at the house of Wealth, and in her house are 1. Dead affections. 2. Dead generous impulses. 3. Dead joys. 4. Dead manhood 2. Madam Gambling at the house of Speculation. In her house are, 1. Dead honor. 2. Dead truthfulness.
3. Madam Gaiety, at the house of Pleasure. In her house are, 1. Dead virtue: young men and women ruined by music-halls. 2. Dead impressions:
impressions of the sanctuary murdered. 3. Dead hopes of parents.
4. Madam Drink at the house of Intoxication. 1. Dead promises of future usefulness. 2. Dead talents and gifts. 3. Dead home-happiness.
5. Madam Morality at the house of SeIf-righteousness; a more respectable courtesan, but she slays as many as any. Her house is full of dead souls.
After this admirable sketch, as the next brother was not prepared, B.
favored us with another in his stead, upon what God’s grace can do in an hour. He has since favored us with this outline on paper, and here it is.
Acts 16:33. “He took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.” In the history of the jailor we have the case of one who, in one and the same hour, Was