When pastor of Park Avenue Church, Brooklyn, New York, I was
preaching one Sunday morning to a languid audience, for it
was a hot, sultry day in summer. The windows were all open
for ventilation, but scarcely a breath of air was felt. The
atmosphere was oppressive, and the service dragged. When about
half way through my sermon, a sparrow flew through one of the
open windows, and startled the drowsy audience by flying round
the church, at times threatening to light on one or other of the
ladies’ bonnets. At length it lighted on the communion-rail,
directly in front of the pulpit and in full view of the
audience, and there settled down quietly. All eyes were intent
upon it. My discourse had been rudely interrupted, but as if by
inspiration I was seized with the thought to change my theme,
speak of God’s care for His children, and use the little bird
as an object-lesson. This I did, quoting the Savior’s words in
Matthew 6:26: “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not,
neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly
Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” The
audience was intensely interested, every mind was alert, every
soul thirsty for the comforting truth. The little creature
remained perfectly quiet, and seemed as interested as any of
the rest of us. Just before I closed he flew out of one of the
windows, having left a message of hope and comfort to tired
hearts. I have felt a warmer place in my heart ever since for
“God’s sparrows.”--ELIJAH HUMPHRIES, _Our Dumb
Animals_.
(2911)
=Sermon, The Effect of a=--See CREATURE, A NEW.
=Sermon versus Salmon=--See PREACHING, RESPONSIBILITY IN.
=Sermons in Candles=--See ILLUSTRATIONS FROM CANDLES.