THE SABBATH HOUR

Northern Advocate, 15 July 1933, Page 4

THE SABBATH HOUR

WEDDING BELLS. Sermon preached by the Rev. A. Whalley, at the Baptist Church, Whangarei, June 18, ll)J3. Text: “There was a marriage in Cana.” —John 2:1. In the background of the lives of many, religion is associated with austerity and gloom. Men look askance at it as a kind of kill-joy. This morbidness is in their perverted mental outlook; they perversely caricature the Christian faith to their own eternal loss.

The Old Testament, in its opening chapters, gives us a picturesque and charming story of the first wedding in man’s history. There is no sin to mar it. The Creator is present, and gives away the first bride. ,The echo of that story is ever fresh; its silver chimes can still be heard as they peal down the centuries. The book closes with a stern, divine rebuke against those who deal treacherously with the wife of their youth. Divorce and putting away are presented as a hateful thing to Jehovah,

The ministry of Jesus Christ begins with the peal of wedding bells. There was a marriage, and Jesus was called, and His disciples. A contretemps arose through the unexpected number of guests. The >yine ran out, an ig : nominous position developed of a most mprtifying character. Mary, the mother of ; Jesus, was there, and presented to Him their difficulty. The water pots were filled to the brim with water, which He turned into wine-r----symbol of that joy and gladness H'is ministry was to bring to men.

These young people began right. They welcomed Jesus into that bridal home. The new life had to be enriched by His presence. The act of these young people preyed the best thing they ever did. They were helped out of a difficult position. To the Jew wine was ever thp symbol of joy. To them its failure would be a grave portent of sorrow. But the presence of Jesus dispelled all their dark clouds of apprehension. He not only saved them from dishonour, but also added lustre to their wedding feast. Many begin wrong. They leave out Christ and His religion and tragically miss His blessing and help. The sacramental radiance of marriage is lacking. The wine of joy runs out. .Life grows commonplace and insipid. Missing Christ, they have missed the highest, the holiest and best. In too many instances they tire of each otherj infidelity, separation and divorce are all too common with this hectic, neurotic, short-sighted generation. Where the Christian faith is truly a vital thing, and the home life genuinely Christian, marital discord, infidelity, separation and divorce are rendered impossibilities. The plants of love grow with the months and years. Whilst the church is not the antidote for these grave evils they are alien to its soil. Those who share the reality of its life and dwell beneath its shade are kept immune from the social miasmas that are fouling our modern life and degrading its moral standards. To begin right, the betrothal must be right. In so-called Christian lands, our faith has brought to woman the right of choice in the matter of a life partner. It has given to her a social status and liberty, elsewhere, through the centuries, denied to her sisters of all races and climes. In this matter, her debt to Christ is incalcuable. Make sure that the one 61 your choice is no less a Christian. A wealthy father was expostulating with his daughter on her choice of a poor, young preacher. He admitted that ho

was a gentleman, a scholar arid an excellent preacher; but he was a stranger, and “they did not know where he came from.’’ “True,” said the daughter, “but I know where he is going, and I should like to go with him,’.', and they walked life's pilgrimage together to the land of . endless day. She, became the mother of Matthew Henry, the prince of commentators. Make sure you know the way he is walking before it is too late. These young people made the friends of Jesus their friends. Friendships make or mar life; they elevate or they degrade.* The best friends to have are the friends of Jesus. You will not find them on the tennis courts on Sunday,.nor yet at the golf links or motor picnics on the Lord's Day. You find them inside the circle of Christian disciplcship. They honour the Lord's Day by abstaining from secular pursuits. They are in their place in the sanctuary. They will not barter spiritual values for the world's currency. They know that the blessing of the Lord maketh rich and addeth no sorrow to it. To them, God, the Bible, the church, divine grace and the soul are the only abiding realities. To these they give unswerving allegiance. They look for a city builder and maker is God. Life is a pilgrimage, to that end. “The path of the just is as a shining .light, which shineth; more .‘and more unto the perfect' day."’ ' ‘ These young people' soon found that life brdtight its difficulties. Their resources were exhausted; the Wine failed. The wine of true Christian love does not diminish; its abiding influence increasingly enriches the homes and hearts where it is found, but difficulties may eoine'more speedily than anticipated. The Christian faith does not guarantee any immunity from the common ills of life, but it sustains us by divine grace and giyps ns strength to endure bravely. Nor is that all. We have a Heavenly Father to help us in oiir every time of need, and to make a way for us through life's troubled waters. When tfle wine stays, and winter comes with its sharp blasts of adversity; when employment ceases and bank reserves are exhausted; when sickness and misfortunes enter hand in hand, the music is silenced. The j cup of affliction is drunk instead. -This { the time we need an pnfgiling friend and helper, 'This is what the Christian faith brings to us. Whore would these young people have been without Jesus? • In the perplexity of life, these young people felt the need of sympathy and advice. They went to one who had a long experience of Jesus and knew him more intimately than any other. Mary did two things. First, she took their' difficulty to the Master; secondly, she gave them the best advice possible: “Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it!’’ The folks we can • unburden ourhearts to most freely are the opes who have known Christ a long tripe, and know Him intimately. They help us by their returned confidences. They tell us of grave problems* and bitter trials, of days wbfn none could help but Jesus. They tell of His gyacp and goodness; of prayers answered sp wpiL derously and kindly; of deliverances from hopeless situations; of doors that Opened and .set- -thern frpe frofli .prison house of their, cares; of. the wine of; gladness Christ poured into their empty waterpots. They help us further by-sharing thb burden of our troubles and taking them to Jesus. They give us the secrets pf peace and conquest. “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it!” Always do whatever Jesus, tells you* then you will be safe. Let ns note the lines along winch Jesus wrought Yor this bridal couple. They had to fill those six waterpots to

the brim with water. The six forking days of life must be filled up with the waters of duty, seryice: and love. But they had first to present to the Governor. God is not only‘the rporal Governor of the Universe. He is. the head and ruler of every Christian household. Let us consecrate to Him our w r aking inoments. This consecration and dedication of life’s daily toil will transferor the commonplace iyjth the halo and aroma of Heaven. ‘ ‘ Old friends, old scenes, will ipyelief be, as more of Heaveij. in each we see. Some softening gleam of love - and prayer, will dawn on every press and care,” : '’c