The eternal epistle

Front matter

Glass Book

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT u

SERMONS ON THE EPISTLES FOR THE CHURCH YEAR

Preface

^*W ^ EAVEN and earth shall pass away, but My Word shall not pass I ^ away" said Jesus. The same Providence that preserved the ^ ^ Gospels for us will also preserve the Epistles. God's Epistles are Eternal Epistles^ and the same Providence that called forth "The Great Gospel" has also prepared for the press by the same tongue and hand this volume of sermons for the Church Year. Like "The Great Gospel," these sermons were delivered by a busy pastor to a large congregation from Sunday to Sunday and reported verbatim by his reporter who herself has left a lucrative position to prepare herself foi* a greater work for her Master. The author is so deeply impressed with God's wonderful leading that he will quote for the comfort of others the following poem as a gem which will make at least one page of this book valuable :

SOMETIME.

Sometime, when all life's lessons have been learned,

And sun and stars forevermore have set, The things which our weak judgment here have spurned,

The things o'er which we grieved with lashes wet. Will flash before us, out of life's dark night.

As stars shine more in deeper tints of blue. And we shall see how all God's plans were -right,

And how what seemed reproof was love most true.

And we shall see liow, while wc frown and sigh,

God's plans go on as best for you and me ; How, when we called, He* heeded not our cry,

Because His wisdom to the end could see. And even as prudent parents disallow

Too much of sweet to craving babyhood. So God, perhaps, is keeping from us now,

Life's sweetest things, because it seemeth good.

And if, sometimes, commijigled witli life's wine.

We find the wormwood and rebel and shrink. Be sure a wiser hand than yours or mine.

Pours out this potion for our lips to drink. '.

PREFACE.

And if some friend we love is lying low,

^ Where human kisses cannot reach his face, Oh, do not blame the loving Father so,

But wear your sorrow with obedient grace.

And you shall shortly know that lengthened breath

Is not the sweetest gift God sends His friend. And that sometimes the sable pall of death

Conceals the fairest boon His love can send. If we could push ajar the gates of life

And stand within, and all God's workings see, We could interpret all this doubt and strife,

And for each mystery would find a key.

But not today, then be content, poor heart I

God's plans, like lilies, pure and white unfold, We must not tear the close shut leaves apart ;

Time will reveal the hidden cups of gold. And if, through patient toil, we reach the land

Where weary feet, with sandals loose, may rest, Then we shall know and clearly understand —

I think that we shall say, "Our God knew best !"

M. R. Smith.

Quoted by Bishop Huntington,

Table Of Contents

Page

Advent Sunday : Knowing the Time 9

Second Sunday in Advent : The Power of The Holy Ghost . . 22