USA > West Virginia > The West Virginia pulpit of the Methodist Episcopal church. Sermons from living ministers. With personal sketches of the authors > Part 1
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Gc 975.4 At5w 1506652
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02263 5681
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/westvirginiapulp00atki_0
You yes, watkins
THE WEST VIRGINIA PULPIT
OF THE
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
SERMONS FROM
LIVING MINISTERS.
WITH
PERSONAL SKETCHES OF THE AUTHORS.
EDITED BY GEO. W. ATKINSON, A. M.
"Oh! the good we may be doing, While the years are rolling on."
WHEELING: FREW, CAMPBELL & HART, STEAM BOOK & JOB PRESS.
1883.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1883, by GEORGE WESLEY ATKINSON,
in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
1506652
DEDICATION.
TO
THE NOBLE MEN OF GOD
Who Have Devoted
THEIR LIVES AND THEIR ENERGIES
To the upbuilding of
THE CAUSE OF CHRIST
Among the hills and valleys of West Virginia, This volume is affectionately Dedicated by the EDITOR.
PREFACE.
The authors of the sermons herein contained are well known clergymen of the West Vir- ginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church. They are, in every respect, worthy of the re- cognition I have given them. Indeed, they deserve greater praise. There are others in the Conference, however, equally deserving; but it was not possible to include sermons from all of them in one volume. Farther on, it is hoped, another similar volume may be given to the public.
No two of the sermons, herein contained, are upon the same topic. It is not often, there- fore, that such a variety of interesting themes are discussed in one volume. I hazard noth- ing in saying that whoever reads these dis- courses, will not only find them profitable, but will find them agreeable and interesting, as well.
One new feature of this publication, is the Personal, or Biographical Sketches of all the ministers who have sermons in the book. These Sketches were carefully prepared, and
6
PREFACE.
in them all fulsome praise was avoided. The editor made no statement in any of them, which he did not believe to be true and just.
The sole object of this volume, is to do good. It is expected that it will be read in thousands of the Christian homes of West Virginia; and the editor sincerely trusts that it may inspire many, who are out of Christ, to embrace the Savior. If it does this, its publication will not be in vain.
"In all the way through life, the Gospel sheds Its kind and healing beams o'er all our woes: And when our days are done, it lights the path That leads us on to brighter, happier scenes; And it will live and shine when all beside Has perished in the wreck of earthly things."
G. W. A. WHEELING, March, 1883.
CONTENTS:
SERMON I .- THE ATONEMENT-ITS NECESSITY,
PAGE
By Rev. Gideon Martin, D. D.
12
SERMON II .- THE GREAT COMMISSION,
By Rev. James I. Clark, D. D 24
SERMON III .- CHRIST THE ROCK, By Rev. Samuel Steele, D. D. 40
SERMON IV .- THE BETTER COUNTRY,
52
By Rev. Benjamin Ison
SERMON V .- THE DUTY OF SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES, By Rev. J. W. Webb, D. D 67
SERMON VI .- EVERLASTING HABITATIONS,
By Rev. Franklin Ball, D. D 83
SERMON VII .- OUR MISSION,
By Rev. ASHFORD HALL 99
SERMON VIII .- THE TRIUMPH OF THE CHURCH,
By Rev. E. W. Ryan.
113
SERMON IX .- WHY MOSES AND AARON WERE NOT PERMIT- TED TO ENTER THE PROMISED LAND, By Rev. D. H. K. Dix 125
SERMON X .- ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION,
By Rev. T. B. Hughes
136
SERMON XI .- THE HALF HAS NOT BEEN TOLD,
By Rev. Joseph B. Feather
146
SERMON XIII .- CHRIST'S GOSPEL,
By Rev. S. E. Steele.
154
SERMON XIV .- MILLENNIUM, OR SABBATH OF REST, TO GOD'S CHURCH AND PEOPLE.
By Rev. A. J. Lyda, D. D 168
SERMON XV .- PREACHING THE GOSPEL,
By Rev. S. B. D. Prickitt
180
SEBMON XVI .- GOD PRAISED BY HIS WORKS.
By Rev. W. C. Snodgrass 194
8
CONTENTS.
SERMON XVII .- SOUL SATISFACTION, By Rev. George C. Wilding 207
SERMON XVIII .- THE USE AND ABUSE OF THIS WORLD, By Rev. J. R. Thompson. A. M. 221
SERMON XIX .- METHODISM, By Rev. J. A. Fullerton, D. D. 230
SERMON XX .- PRAYER, By Rev. S. E. Jones 253
SERMON XXI .- GOD SEEN IN HIS WORKS, By Rev. L. L. Stewart 265
SERMON XXII .- AN AWAKENED SOUL SOLVING THE PROB- LEM OF LIFE,
By Rev. C. P. Masden. 276
SERMON XXIII .- CHRISTIANITY'S CHALLENGE TO UNBELIEF, By Rev. George E. Hite 290
SERMON XXIV .- DIVINE AND HUMAN WORK, By Rev. Joseph Lee. 305
SERMON XXV .- MORAL DESPONDENCY-ITS CAUSES AND ITS CURE,
By Rev. F. H. J. King 317
SERMON XXVI .- WILL IT PAY?
By Rev. James B. Fitzpatrick. 328
SERMON XXVII .- THE ATTRACTION OF THE CROSS, By Rev. Joseph E. Smith, D.D. 339
PERSONAL SKETCH.
One of the heroes of West Virginia Methodism-a leader of the Lord's hosts among us, is the Rev. Gideon Martin, D.D. Though, strictly speaking, not an old man, yet, with many of his brethren who are called old in the church, he has held aloft the flag-staff of truth for many, many years, and bore it on to glory and to victory. He is truly the hero of many battles, and the conqueror of many foes; and for his valiant services in the cause of God, he is now, and always will be, held in grateful remembrance by his brethren and friends.
He was born in Lewis county, Virginia, now Barbour county, West Virginia, April 30, 1815. His father, Stephen Martin-son of Joseph Martin, an Englishman, who died at Yorktown about the time of the battle there between Washington and Cornwal- lis-was brought from East to West Virginia in 1779, being then about seven years of age. At that time, the territory now em- braced in West Virginia, was an almost unbroken wilderness. He grew up to manhood and married Miss Catharine Reger, of a family eminently fitted for pioneer life. The subject of this sketch was the fifth son who graced that happy union.
Brother Martin, according to the custom among the early set- lers of our State, was brought up on a farm. This was his chief occupation until he was twenty-one years of age. In referring to his experience of farm life, Brother M. remarked, "I have always regarded it as among the most independent and honor- able callings ; and I confess frankly, that I have a liking for it to this day."
His educational facilities, in common with others of that day, were the district schools-there being neither academies nor colleges within reach. At a later period, he was favored with a single term at a high school, taught by Professor Morris. As a compensation for the lack of a thorough education in early life, he has subjected himself, all through his ministerial career, to a rigid course of reading, and the study of theological works and other good books, from which he might obtain useful knowl- edge. In this way, he stored his mind with a large fund of valuable material. While I would not depreciate the impor- tance of a collegiate training, yet after all, a thorough educa- tion can only be gotten by constant application to books, all through life. In this way most of our early preachers were ed- ucated.
2
10
PERSONAL SKETCH.
Brother Martin was early impressed with a sense of his sin- fulness, and the need of pardon. His parents were both mem- bers of the M. E. Chuch, had prayer in the family, and read the Scriptures. All this had a tendency to restrain their children from evil, and incline them to a religious life. After several fruitless efforts, in his sixteenth year, he sought and obtained a sense of God's pardoning mercy. Of that one great truth, he feels the' utmost assurance to this day. He was received into the church by Rev. J. L. Irwin.
In a few years he was made a class-leader, and soon after, he was given license to exhort. During this period, he says he was greatly exercised and powerfully tempted. On one occasion he went so far as to openly rebel, by refusing to go to one of his appointments for religious services. This, however, humiliated him so severely, that he was effectually cured from everything like skepticism.
About Christmas, 1836, he received license as a local preacher, signed by Rev. J. G. Sansom, P. E., by whom he was at once em- ployed and sent as supply on old Harrison circuit. The follow- ing July, 1837, he was admitted on trial into the Pittsburgh Conference. In 1839, he was ordained Deacon by Bishop Soule, and in 1841, Elder by Bishop Roberts. Like all true ministers of the Word, in view of the great magnitude of the work, and his great responsibility, he felt that
" 'Tis not a cause of small import, The pastor's care demands, But what might fill and angel's heart, And fill a Savior's hands."
I cannot refrain from quoting a paragraph from a recent letter received from Dr. Martin. He says :
"Mine has by no means been an easy or remunerative work. Over the hardest and most difficult circuits in West Virginia have I traveled-one circuit being 300 miles in compass. Be- sides a number of years on circuits, I have filled six stations, traveled as Presiding Elder sixteen years, and served in the Union army as Chaplain in the 15th Regiment West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, three years. Three times have my brethren honored me with a seat in the General Conference. My early associates in the ministry are nearly all gone ; and my own dear children, more than half of them, like withered flowers lie mouldering in the dust. But, 'Having obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, say- ing none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come, that Christ should suffer, and that He should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people and unto the Gentiles.' "
Dr. Martin preaches the Gospel with power and effect. Many hundreds have been received into the church by him, scores and scores of whom
"Sleep their last sleep, and have fought their last battle, No sound can awake them again."
11
REV. GIDEON MARTIN, D.D.
Many more are on the way. Down the years the old preacher is gliding, and his flock are following on. Years and storms may come and go. Trials, too, will gather round ; but amid them all will stand triumphant the true soldier of the Cross, and by-and- by will be gathered home to God.
We also are passing away, and should
"Walk thoughtfully on the silent, solemn shore Of that vast ocean we must sail so soon."
It was an appropriate recognition of many years of earnest toil and study, when, about a decade ago, Mount Union College conferred on Brother Martin the hororary degree of Doctor in Divinity.
SERMON I.
BY
REV. GIDEON MARTIN, D.D.
THEME :- THE ATONEMENT-ITS NECESSITY.
TEXT :- "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.
"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit."-ROM. VIII: 3, 4.
Until regenerated, according to the showing of St. Paul, all persons are under the killing power of the law. "By the offense of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation," and the law could not pardon or liberate them. But to "Them who are in Christ Jesus there is no condemnation," because they have been freed from the law of sin and death, "By the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus." "For what the law could not do," &c.
I. THE WEAKNESS OF THE LAW.
The law is spiritual and holy, and designed for holy ends by its divine author. Nevertheless there were some things it was unable to do. "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh." Though there were some things it could not do, being weak through the flesh, we are not to infer that this weakness was either inherent or insufficient in all points.
1. That it was not, may be seen by reference to God's method of dealing with offenders under the
13
THE ATONEMENT.
divine government. The Scriptures clearly point out two methods. The first is of a strictly legal char- acter. It consists of a just and impartial statute, a strong executive, a prompt and vigorous administra- tion over subjects invested with the powers of obe- dience. This legal principle, it is claimed, lies at the foundation of all human governments. But it is seen alone in its perfection in the treatment of rebel angels under the divine administration. The process of ad- judication was so prompt, impressive and awful, that one demonstration of the law availed to stay the plague and preserve the unfallen angels in their allegiance to God, so far as we know, from that time until the present. Then, in its legal bearing, it is not weak, but "all powerful" in the infliction of its penalties upon those who violate its precepts.
2. Though strong in its legal bearing, it was weak in other respects; there were some things it could not do. It could not furnish to Adam, nor any of his posterity after the fall, the ability to meet its require- ments, or fulfill its own righteousness. The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such, that he " Can- not turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and works, to faith, and calling upon God ; wherefore we have no power to do good works, pleas- ant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us, that we may have a good will, and working with us, when we have that good will."* "Man is very far gone from original right- eousness, and of his own nature inclined to evil, and that continually." The ability to keep the law was lost, and to suppose the law able to restore it, is to suppose it able to accomplish just what the text affirms it could not do, " In that it was weak through the flesh."
3. The weaknessof the law is seen in another respect. When its precepts are violated, it has no ability to pardon the offender. It cannot absolve from guilt, nor purge away the defilement of sin. It is wholly unable to impart purity and fitness for heaven.
*See Article VIII of Religion.
14
WEST VIRGINIA PULPIT.
It is the rule of righteousness, that judges of the moral quality of men's actions, condemns the wrong and approves that which is right; but it lacks the ability to pardon the violator of its precepts. " By the law is the knowledge of sin, but by the deeds of law shall no flesh living be justified in the sight of God." "The law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better covenant did; by the which we draw nigh to God. For by him all who believe are justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses."
Now the weakness of the law was not inherent, but " through the flesh." As the carnal and rebelious principle in man had obtained the ascendency, and as he was involved in transgression, the law was ren- dered inefficient to undo the works of the flesh, and to bring the sinner into a state of favor and acceptance with God.
II. THE ATONEMENT-ITS NECESSITY.
Its necessity is found in the inefficiency of the law to save sinners, and harmonize them with the divine government; but what it failed todo is accomplished by the Atonement.
The atonement involved a departure from the legal method, as it had become impracticable. " If a law could have been given that could have given life, then verily salvation would have been by the law." But this involved a moral impossibility, hence the necessity of modifying or introducing a new mode of procedure. And it was equally important that this new mode of procedure should be in harmony with the former, or, that the Gospel should harmonize with the law. The Jews regarded them as being opposed, the one to the other, and the one as making void the other. And doubtless much of their opposition to Christ and to Christianity arose from this mistaken view. With the view of correcting this fatal error, St. Paul inquired of them, "Is the law against the promises ? or, do we make void the law through faith ? God forbid ; yea we establish the law." They were
15
THE ATONEMENT.
not in conflict; the one by no means displaced the other. On the contrary their energies were united in one grand scheme to accomplish what neither could effect without the other. What the legal method failed to do, is now accomplished by the atonement of Christ.
1. The atonement was necessary to satisfy the claims of justice.
"Justice," says Dr. Bledso, " has two distinct signi- fications, designated by their epithets, retributive and administrative. By retributive justice is meant that attribute which inclines God to punish an offender, on account of the demerit and hatefulness of his sins. Administrative justice inflicts punishment to secure general good, by securing the ends of a wise and good government."
Now, in what sense is the death of Christ to be re- regarded as a satisfaction to the claims of justice ? In both senses ? Certainly not; for if so, then no one could suffer thereafter without the penalty being twice exacted. Then, was it retributive justice, the claims of which were satisfied by his death? Let it be kept in mind that retributive justice required the punishment of the individual offender and no one else, and that, too, for his own offense. It admitted no substitute. Its object is personal guilt, and conse- quently it cannot be satisfied, except by the punish- ment of the individual offender himself. But as Christ was " holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sin- ners," it was morally impossible that he should be- come liable to the infliction of retributive justice, or that he could satisfy its claims upon another.
Then, the design of Christ's death was to satisfy the claims of administrative justice, which inflicts punishment with the view of securing the ends of good government, by bringing every adverse disposi- tion into harmony with wise and healthful laws for the good of all; and it is capable of yielding to any expedient by which the end may be best accom- plished. The expedient to which it yields in this case, was the death of Christ ; not for sins of his own, for he " knew no sin," but for ours. " He was made
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WEST VIRGINIA PULPIT.
sin,"-that is, a sin offering for us. He bore our sins in his own body on the tree. He died, the just for the unjust, with the view of reconciling us to God. The claims of administrative justice, the design of which was the ends of good government, being now satisfied by the death of Christ, the legal barrier is re- moved, a new and living way of access is opened up to God, and now "God can be just, and still the justi- fier of all, who by a hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him."
"For all, for all the Savior died, For all my Lord was crucified."
2. The atonement was necessary, also, to supply the powers of obedience to the divine government. In the fall, that gracious ability was lost ; and it was lost as a consequence of other losses, and not as the cause of them. But for this, a simple restoration of the powers of obedience would have been all that was necessary to our restoration. But sin caused deprav- ity, and depravity a want of capacity. From this view of the subject, we see the necessity of the con- demnation of sin, in the very commencement of the work of man's restoration to the favor of God. For this purpose, "God sent his own Son into the world, in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh." By becoming a sin offering, Christ has passed the sentence of condemnation and death upon sin. On account of it, we were under the sen- tence of condemnation; but now, by reason of what Christ has done, sin stands candemned to death and destruction. Had man retained the power to obey, his way to God would have been by the law ; but now it is by Christ, who has redeemed us from the curse of the law. Christ says, "I am the way ; no man cometh to the father but by me." By Christ's death the legal barrier has been removed, sin condemned and the gracious ability to come to God through Christ imparted to all. And even more; a measure of light and of grace is given to every man to profit withal-the ability to repent and to accept of pardon through the merits of Christ by the aid of the Holy
17
THE ATONEMENT.
Spirit ; and by the proper exercise of this restored ability, we obtain "pardon, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." Now from the very moment of our adoption as children, we are invested with the gracious ability henceforth to walk in all the commandments of God blameless, which, if we do, we shall stand justified in the sight of the law. But if we fail, by the law we shall be condemned, since sin in this case would be a voluntary abuse of the gracious ability to keep the whole law. Not that we suppose, in the event of back-sliding, a strictly legal course would be adopted. For the scriptures fully warrant us in the conclusion, that the back-slider may repent and receive pardon, though there could be no just ground of complaint, if God afforded but a single opportunity to each one to be saved through the merits of Christ.
3. The atonement was necessary to supply motives of obedience to the divine government. Motives have to do with the will, the intelligence and the sen- sibilities of men. To avail anything, motives must be presented to the will, either through the one or the other of these channels, or through both. And it is owing to this fact that the Christian world is divided into two great classes, distinguished by the considerations which determined them to be religious. Some act from principle, from a sense of duty and ob- ligation ; others, and perhaps the larger class, from feeling. And this latter class is not unfrequently severely criticized and condemned. But why should it be so, since only a few can reason well. God has wisely provided us with both, at least in a measure, so that if not reached in one way they may be reached in another. I love an intelligent Christianity. We should all be able to "render a reason for the hope within us." Commenced, it may be, in the intellect, but if genuine and thorough, it will reach the heart and end in feeling at last. Can a sufficient reason be offered why the stricken sinner should not cry out, now, as did the Philipian jailor, " What must I do to be saved ?" Or the "heart " Christian, in imitation of the saints above, should shout, "Salvation to God and the Lamb."
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WEST VIRGINIA PULPIT.
Motives addressed to the will, through the intellect, may be drawn from various considerations. God's demands are founded in reason. " I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice wholly acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." It is just ; " Y'e are not your own; ye are bought with a price." It is ennobling; to Christianity we are severally indebted for our laws, arts and civilization. "Righteousness exalteth a nation." It inures to our welfare, both temporally and spiritually ; " has the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." It includes all that is worth a thought or an effort. By his intellect, moral principles are dis- covered, appreciated and embraced; and God hav- ing furnished us with the powers of reason, would have us exercise them. "Come, let us reason to- gether "
Motives addressed to the will, through the sensi- bilities, may be drawn from the fear of punishment. All who live and die in the indulgence of sin, accord- ing to the Scriptures, will be "punished with ever- lasting destruction from the presence of God and the glory of his power." As the wheat and tares at har- vest are separated, and as the tares are gathered into bundles and burned, so shall it be with the wicked in the day of final accounts. Though some urge that "fear cannot act as a motive to obedience," it never- theless does act as a motive to personal safety. That their city might be spared, and the judgments of God be averted, they repented in sackcloth and ashes; and to the Jews the Savior said, " There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom, and ye your- selves cast out." Hence, by the Savior himself is a direct appeal to their sensibilities. To be finally and forever separated from their venerable fathers, would be promotion of the deepest anguish of spirit-" weep- ing and gnashing of teeth."
But what shall be said of the great love of God, wherewith he loved us as a motive to obedience ? Here is the moving cause of our redemption. Then Christ,
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THE ATONEMENT.
the gift of God, stands as the procuring cause. The object had in view was the world's recovery from sin and death, and obedience to the Divine law and life eternal. The atonement was designed to inure to our benefit in both worlds. It involved much-Christ's humiliation, sufferings and ignominous death. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son." Is it possible for anyone to view the subject in this light, as involving all the shame and pain endured by the Savior in making an atonement for us, and not to feel-feel keenly a sense of guilt and shame ?
One has said, "a sense of duty is, indeed, a master power for good." But is not love a higher motive ? Love is divine and saintly; it charms and bids us come. It is the highest possible motive, and is re- quired both by the law and the Gospel; and having exemplified the love of the father, and his own, by laying down his life for the sheep, he asks our love in return. The Savior asks it as a life principle. " The love of Christ constraineth us," is the language of the great Apostle to the Gentiles; " because we thus judge, if one died for all, then were all dead ; and that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again."
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