October 2, 1881

Examination before Communion   “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” — 1 Corinthians xi. 28.   IT can never be too clearly understood that spiritual ordinances are for spiritual persons only. Baptism and the Lord’s supper belong lo believers, and to none but believers; and it …

1 Corinthians:11:28

September 25, 1881

Angelic Interest in the Gospel   “Which things the angels desire to look into.” — 1 Peter i. 12.   THE apostle Peter wrote his first Epistle to a persecuted people, many of whom were in great heaviness through manifold trials. The sufferings of the early Christians are something terrible even to think upon; the world has scarcely ever …

1 Peter:1:12

September 8, 1881

Wordless Prayers Heard in Heaven   “When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.”— Isaiah xli. 17.   NOTICE, dear friends, that this double promise to the poor and needy stands in connection with other …

Isaiah:41:17

September 1, 1881

Grace Preferred to Gifts   “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” — 1 Corinthians xii. 31.   THERE are among us many who have recently joined the visible Church of Christ. We have heartily welcomed them, and we desire always to entertain concerning them a joyous feeling of thankfulness …

1 Corinthians:12:31

August 28, 1881

Priest and Victim   “He offered up himself.” — Hebrews vii. 27.   I DO not know when I have ever felt a more decided conflict of emotions in my own heart than I do just now. Happy is the man who has such a message as that in my text to deliver to his fellowmen; but burdened is …

Hebrews:7:27

August 18, 1881

Church Increase   “The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell. Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, …

Isaiah:49:20, 21

July 31, 1881

Sorrow and Sorrow   “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” — 2 Corinthians vii. 10.   MANY years ago, and indeed in some measure to a later date, preachers of the Word seemed mainly to dwell upon the inner experience of men. They both preached …

2 Corinthians:7:10

July 24, 1881

The Ever-living Christ   “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen.” — Revelation i. 18.   WE long, sometimes, to behold Christ in his glory. Certainly, it is one of our brightest hopes that we shall see him as he is. Every true believer can say, with Job, “I know …

Revelation:1:18

July 21, 1881

Good Judgment   “Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.” — Psalm cxix. 65, 66.   WHEN the psalmist wrote these words, he was contemplating the goodness of God. In the verse preceding our text, the 64th, he sang, “The earth, …

Psalms:119:65, 66

July 17, 1881

Too Good to be Saved!   “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.” — Luke xviii. 14.   THE publican was justified rather than the Pharisee; the outwardly worse man of the two was accepted rather than the one who was apparently better: “This man went down to his house justified …

Luke:18:14