Sunday at Home

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 2, 8 April 1893, Page 7

Sunday at Home

Following - tlie example of Lloj'd’s Newspaper, London, we purpose givingeach week a sermon, not exceeding 500 words in length, specially written for readers of Thk Southrrx Cross. This, we believe, will prove a welcome feature, particularly in outlying districts, where religious services can only be held at considerable intervals, and we shall be glad to receive the co-operation of ministers throughout the colony in carrying out the experiment. Sermons will be published in the order in which they are received. DIVINE GENTLENESS. (By the Bov. Eobcrt Thornton, M.A., Waiknvi, Myross, and Makarova.) “Tliy gentleness hath made me great.”—Ps. x\dii., 35. When he sang this song the Royal Poet, as King of Israel, had become great; but greater still is he in that position from which he looks back along the course of his life and sees in its joys, its sorrows, its dangers, its failures and sins, proofs of God’s

gentleness^—gentleness that has made use of all to bring him where he is. As king he is great, but as friend of (rod, delighting in Him, he is greater still—greater with a greatness that will not lessen while God’s Church, and Word endure. But look at the poet’s words describing God’s dealings with men, and the purpose He is fulfilling, and do they not contain a truth for us now ? God's gentleness. —How apt are men first and mainly to conceive of God as infinite in might, clothed with power irresistible. Stupendous forces arc everywhere and always at work, and He who is behind is thought of with feelings of awe and dread. But is not gentleness seen in their working- ? All are restrained —their might is not felt. They work easily and pleasantly. And if the storm does break, or the earthquake deal devastation and death, oven then gentleness appears ; for docs not the storm purify and the earthquake assist in renewing Nature’s wear ■ and tear ? And look within the sphere of man’s history. What forbearance with waywardness and folly ! What longsuffering amid persistent sinning 1 What constant goodness following every step of lives forgetful and unthankful ! All telling of God’s method of gentleness—seeking to win men’s hearts. We could imagine the Almighty breaking rebellious wills ; but such is not God’s way. By the gift of His Son and His Son’s work he shows that it is not forced, but willing and loving, obedience He seeks. Christ is the gift of the Father’s love —a love that goes down to men in the foulness of their sins, and by its mighty power subduing obdurate wills into loving obedience. As with David, so with every rescued sinner still —God’s love, God’s gentleness has done all, taking even the pains, the agonies and sins of life, and using them to mark out life’s course and form the believer’s growing character. “Thy gentleness hath made me great." —Greatness in the ordinary sense means riches, genius, position, &c. David’s greatness was partly of this kind; but much more in the spiritual results of God's dealings in gentleness with him. And true greatness, the greatness to which sons of God rise, is of the latter kind. It is a greatness of character and life — a character by the Spirit’s power more and more purified into the likeness of Christ, and life enabled to bring forth the fruits of righteousness. Is not this the only real greatness ? Other kinds are shortlived and unsatisfying. The great through Christ become kings and priests unto God. Do we wish to reach it ? Then let God’s love subdue us, and Christ rule in our hearts.