SCRIPTURE TEXTS.
1858.
"I want a meek, a gentle, quiet frame,
A heart that glows with love to Jesus' name;
I want a living sacrifice to be
For Him who died a sacrifice for me."
The following extracts from his diary reveal to us his carefulness in
noting the texts of Scripture and the analysis of sermons he heard
preached on the Sabbaths and week days from 1858 up to the time of his
death.
_Thursday_ (_fast-day_), _September 16, 1858._--Heard a sermon
preached by Dr. Crawford from the 57th chapter of Isaiah and the
15th verse: "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth
eternity, whose name is holy; I dwell in the high and holy place,
with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the
spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."
_Saturday, September 18th._--Preached by Mr. Sanderson, from the
15th chapter of St. Luke and the 2d verse: "And the Pharisees and
Scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth
with them."
_Sabbath, June 20, 1859._--Preached by Mr. Finney, from Ecclesiastes,
chapter 9, verse 10: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with
thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor
wisdom in the grave, whither thou goest."
_Sabbath, December 16, 1860._--Preached by Mr. Finney, from the 53d
chapter of Isaiah and 11th verse, last clause: "By his knowledge
shall my righteous servant justify many: for he shall bear their
iniquities." Afternoon.--"Therefore being justified by faith, we
have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ." It is like the
love of my mother. What an inexpressible peace and love and
gentleness is launched upon you; which none but a mother can bestow,
oft do I sigh in my struggles with the hard, uncaring world, for the
sweet, deep security I felt, when of an evening, nestling in her
bosom, I listened to some quiet tale. In my younger years I read in
her tender and loving voice an invaluable incentive to be good. I
can never forget her sweet smile upon me. When I appear to sleep, I
feel her sweet kiss of peace.
* * * * * *
A MOTHER'S LOVE.
Children, look in those eyes; listen to that dear voice; notice the
feeling of a single touch that is bestowed upon you by that gentle
hand. Make much of it while yet you have that most precious of all good
gifts--a loving mother. Read the unfathomable love of those eyes; the
kind anxiety of that tone and look, and by analogy remember the
tenderness and compassion of Jesus.
_New York, November 12, 1865_ (_Sabbath Day_).--Heard Mr. Finney
preach from the Gospel according to St. Luke, 24th chapter and 23d
verse: "And they said one to another, did not our hearts burn within
us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us
the Scripture?" It was powerful and impressive to all present, as:
1. The doctrinal teaching of Christ, as understood in this part of
the chapter. 2. It is scriptural. 3. It is faithful. 4. It is
pointed. 5. It is instructive to the understanding.
_Friday, December 12, 1867._--I attended our church, and heard a
sermon preached from the 3d chapter of St. Matthew and the 3d verse,
last clause: "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths
straight." Afterward Mr. Chambers was ordained to the office of the
gospel ministry, and the charge was given to him by Dr. Campbell;
and the charge to the people by Dr. Hall. After the conclusion of
the services, the congregation congratulated our newly-ordained
pastor in his new relation to us.
_Sabbath, October 1st._--Preached by Mr. Chambers to the children of
the Sabbath school, in the Fortieth Street Church, from Luke ii.,
verses 27 to 32. Simeon was led by the Spirit into the Temple, and
for an important object. He had been waiting in expectancy of this
great event, and at the appointed period was led to the temple,
where he became satisfied in beholding the Lord's Christ, and thus
his faith became constant in the fulfilment of God's promise to him,
and found that the desires awakened in his soul was now satisfied;
and although he had been comparatively unknown to others, yet he now
enjoyed not only a convincing proof of God's goodness to himself on
this occasion, with such an appearance of love, but he enjoyed the
privilege of prophesying concerning his own people, and also the
effects of the gospel upon the Gentile nations.
_Sabbath, November 21st._--Preached by Mr. Chambers, from Jeremiah,
2d chapter and 19th verse: "Thine own wickedness shall correct thee,
and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that
_it is_ an evil _thing_ and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord
thy God, and that my fear _is_ not in thee, saith the Lord God of
hosts."
In one of his notes, as if he had just heard a sermon upon the subject,
he writes: "In lives of faith and long obedience to the command of our
Lord and _Master_ Jesus Christ, we have first presented to us something
of the operations and workings of the mind of the depth of humility and
gratitude expressed in his own words, and the evident absence of
everything of a proud spirit. Thus when the sinner is brought to Christ,
the change will become manifest not in giving expression to similar
feelings in only thankful acknowledgments in words, but a becoming and
thankful spirit will be seen in the entire life, in proportion as Jesus
is followed and kept in view. But when Jesus is received into the heart,
the recipient of this precious gift will feel anxious to do good to
others, that they, too, may partake of the benefits of His salvation.
First, then, deep repentance 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 to look upon John and
himself, assuring 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 gratitude of
this man; he had received far more than he had expected.
Their success was even more than they had anticipated. 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 assistance 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 God 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 God 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
God?" 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 space allows
for further insertion.