Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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Rev. 5, 6-14

I.

John saw the Christ as the sacrificed Lamb, standing and though it had been slain–suffering, sacrificed love in the midst of the throne.  The cross abides at the center of the whole Christian movement.  We owe all to the cross–the love that readies forth to help.

II.

Honors are paid him.  “Worthy art thou to take the book and to open the seals”–to reveal and unfold the future–“for thou wast slain and didst purchase unto God men of every tongue and people and nation,” etc.

How timely this song.  In a day of so much strife [Editor’s Note–He referred to World War II.], this song from heaven has in it no place for narrow nationalism.  He is the universal Christ, the Saviour of every soul that looks to Him.  “Many shall come from the east and from the west, and sit down in the kingdom,” etc. (Matt. 8, 11).  “And I saw a great multitude which no man could number…clothed in white raiment” (Rev. 7, 9-10).

III.

Christ is never caught off-guard by any conniving, scheming souls.

From on high he superintends the life and service of the church.  Today his [voice] is calling her to heroic effort to keep distressed lost souls.

His voice will be heard in the nations that a better day may dawn.  “I make all things new.”  Will not we gladly lend our aid in  so glorious a cause?

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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Prov. 22, 1

I.

To make and hold a good name, to be well-spoken of.  We have a good or a poor reputation–name.  Everyone may have a good name.

II.

We are daily building a name.  Every word and deed, our very manner, enters into it.  You are ever becoming the kind of person you are going to be, so no word or act is of small moment.

(1)  Some inherit a fine name.  It should be highly prized.  Money can’t purchase it, one act may destroy it.

(2)  But everyone can make a good name, though his inheritance may not have been good.  It will take time and labor, but it is worth it.  A bad man may have wealth, but what of it without the satisfaction of having a good name?

Poor people may be rich in the fine name they have and the kindly good will of the people.

III.

It is better than great riches–above rubies.  It recommends religion to others and points them to the true values of life.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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EDITOR’S NOTE:

There were mountains at the Sea of Reeds, a wetland?

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

APRIL 26, 2014 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF SAINTS REMACLUS OF MAASTRICHT, THEODORE OF MAASTRICHT, LAMBERT OF MAASTRICHT, HUBERT OF MAASTRICHT AND LIEGE, AND FLORIBERT OF LIEGE, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS; SAINT LANDRADA OF MUNSTERBILSEN, ROMAN CATHOLIC ABBESS; AND SAINTS OTGER OF UTRECHT, PLECHELM OF GUELDERLAND, AND WIRO, ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES

THE FEAST OF CHRISTINA ROSSETTI, POET

THE FEAST OF SAINT PASCHASIUS RADBERTUS, ROMAN CATHOLIC ABBOT

THE FEAST OF ROBERT HUNT, FIRST ANGLICAN CHAPLAIN AT JAMESTOWN, VIRGINIA

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Ex. 14, 15

From the human viewpoint this was a gloomy time–the sea in front, mountains on either side.  Pharaoh’s host in pursuit.  No earthly power promised deliverance.

I.

It was God’s cause.  He is a God that takes sides, is not indifferent when the good of men is involved.  They cried to God, as did Moses.

II.

God directed them to go forward.  That was the one only way out.  “Theirs not to reason why.”  Let them heed God’s voice.  He would make a way of escape from the perils of the hour, and all would be well.

III.

This is God’s call to the his church–go forward to larger conquests and service.

(a)  The cause is his.  He needs the devotion of loyal hearts.  Righteousness must win, else all is lost.

(b)  We are his.  He has brought us to this hour for such a time as this.  He claims us for his service.  There must be no let up on our part.  The salvation of the world depends upon the loyal service of his people.  Shall his soldiers surrender to Satan?

IV.

In every crisis let the church arouse itself and stand true to him.  This is the way to impress the world for good.  It will give little heed to us in the future if we falter now.  Continue to press forward in every good cause.  God is calling for valiant service.

Be good soldiers of Jesus Christ.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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EDITOR’S COMMENT:

I know that Moses was a prince.  Yet I have strong doubts that he was ever the heir to the throne.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

APRIL 26, 2014 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF SAINTS REMACLUS OF MAASTRICHT, THEODORE OF MAASTRICHT, LAMBERT OF MAASTRICHT, HUBERT OF MAASTRICHT AND LIEGE, AND FLORIBERT OF LIEGE, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS; SAINT LANDRADA OF MUSSTERBILSEN, ROMAN CATHOLIC ABBESS; AND SAINTS OTGER OF UTRECHT, PLECHELM OF GUNDRLAND, AND WIRO, ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES

THE FEAST OF CHRISTINA ROSSETTI, POET

THE FEAST OF SAINT PASCHASIUS RADBERTUS, ROMAN CATHOLIC ABBOT

THE FEAST OF ROBERT HUNT, FIRST ANGLICAN CHAPLAIN AT JAMESTOWN, VIRGINIA

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Ex. 3, 9-10 & 12a

“Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me:  and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.  Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt.”…And he said, “Certainly I will be with thee….”

—The Authorized Version

I.

The children of Israel were in bondage, suffering intolerable conditions–driven like cattle, children had no prospect of opportunities worthy of a human being.

II.

God willed better things for them, that they, and through them, others, might be blest.  He would break their bitter bondage and make them a great people.

III.

He needed a man to lead them out.  It was a bold, daring undertaking to demand of Pharaoh to let them depart.

He had the man.  Moses was trained and had renounced his place as the heir to the throne and cast his lot with his peoplel.  He and God could deliver his people with a great deliverance.

IV.

God is mightily concerned about the sinful bondage that rules so many today.  He has better things for them all.  He would save everyone and lift them up into the freedom of gospel truth–make them free indeed.

This is the work to which he calls the church.  Her message is what men everywhere need.

He and the church, with her ministry of truth and grace, can uplift and save men everywhere.

May we, like Moses, hear and heed his call to lead and deliver man from the bitter tyranny of sin and oppression.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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Ezek. 37, 1-10

Israel’s condition here seen in a vision; fittingly illustrates the sinner’s spiritual condition.

I.

“Dry bones,” devoid of spiritual life.  Figure is not too strong.  Men are powerless to move Godward if life to themselves–are “very dry,” devoid of life.

II.

“Can these bones live?”  Is there any hope for a poor lost sinner?  Yes.  “The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live.”  (Jno. 5, 21 & 25-26)  “He [is] able to save to the uttermost.”  (Heb. 7, 25)  No case is hopeless.

III.

Means to be used:

(1)  “Prophesy.”  “O ye dry bones, hear ye the word of the Lord” (v. 4).  “Preach the word” (2 Tim. 4, 2).  It pleaseth God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor. 1, 21).  “The word of God is quick and powerful,” etc. (Heb. 4, 12).

(2)  Prayer for the Spirit to impart life.  “Come, O breath, and breathe upon these slain” (v. 9).  “Grieve not the Spirit” (Eph. 4, 30).  “Quench not the Spirit” (1 Thes. 5, 19).  We need his power to awaken and save sinful souls.

IV.

God waits to be gracious.  How concerned he is about our salvation.

Let us look with much prayer for his saving power.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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Mark 10, 51-52

I.

Jesus responded to this man’s faith and healed him.  He believed Jesus could and in confidence asked him to do it. “Thy faith hath made thee whole.”  “According to your faith.”

II.

He followed Jesus–was henceforth loyal to him, clung to him, lived a new life.

(1)  Every man needs something beyond himself as the center and inspiration of life, something to give meaning and coherence to life.  Why?

(a)  We are made that way.  Men who deal with souls trying to help them find it true.  Without it life will break down.

Loss of faith in God and immortality may cause the nerves to shatter and the health to fail.

(b)  The Holy Spirit dwelling in us will “quicken our mortal bodies” (Rom. 8, 11).  He animates the body, and this helps even health.  Much more does his presence give peace and joy and power to meet life well.

III.

God in Christ is the only worthy, adequate object of our loyalty.  “Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.”

He will help in every time of need.  “My grace is sufficient for thee.”

Let us reaffirm our loyalty to him and be true to him always.

“Holy is his name.”

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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Mark 11, 22

“Without faith it is impossible to please God.”  “He that cometh to God must believe that he is,” etc.

I.

He is a God whom man can know.  He is not far removed, but near and approachable and will reveal himself to the trustful soul.  We will know him in a saving experience of his grace; His is a fatherly voice.

II.

We may have communion with him.  “I will sup with him and he with me.”  We may tell him our needs, our perplexities and sorrows, as well as our joys.  “He cares” and will incline his ears unto our cries.  “Everything to God in prayer.”

III.

Coming into our hearts he makes a great difference in our lives.

He makes all things new–our thoughts, desires, affections, deeds.

He gives us power to have victory.

Joy and peace are ours and comfort in all things.  O what a change he works.

Let us trust him fully in all things, have a strong, unshrinking faith.  Thus we will triumph.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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EDITOR’S COMMENT:

I am honest person, one with no poker face.  That said, I have lied from time to time.  I have been polite and dishonest when being honest would have been rude and created a needless and awkward social situation.  I have gone along with what dementia patients have said contrary to reality.  To have done otherwise would have been to create an unnecessary argument, which the patient would have forgotten soon anyway.  And no, that dress does not make any woman look fat.

A timeless moral standard in dealing with other people is seek the best for that person.  Thus we ought never to create trouble for them.  Much lying casts blame onto innocent people, hence the great portion of fault with such dishonesty.  And, of course, if one lies often, how are the rest of us to know when he or she is telling the truth?  That is a valid point also.

As I wrote, I have no poker face, thus my default status is honesty.  That is the best default policy when dealing with a person in his or her right mind.  That said, the entire truth is not always necessary and proper.  And I suspect, given my absence of a poker face, that my socially polite white lies have been transparent.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

APRIL 22, 2014 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF GENE BRITTON, EPISCOPAL PRIEST

THE FEAST OF CESAR CHAVEZ, LABOR UNION LEADER

THE FEAST OF CHARLES HAMILTON HOUSTON, ATTORNEY

THE FEAST OF SAINT FIDELIS OF SIGMARINGEN, CAPUCHIN FRIAR AND MARTYR

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1 Thes. 5, 22

I.

To fall a victim of evil is the world’s greatest tragedy.  Man was created for high and holy things.  Evil overthrows God’s good designs for man and brings in utter confusion and destruction.  One should thoughtfully determine to avoid it in all its forms.

II.

Avoid a flippant attitude of mind.  It drives away sober, sound thinking and encourages the fool in his folly.

III.

Flee irreverence.  Do not forget that God is holy and we should reverence him.  Never take his name in vain, nor smile when another does.  Profanity is extremely censurable.  There can be no excuse for it.  It plunges one headlong toward destruction, and makes his return difficult.  Would you say it if you knew it were your last utterance?

IV.

Refuse to tell lies.  You have to live with yourself.  A liar is a hurtful, unwholesome companion.  Speak the truth.  Be true.   Let men know your word is your bond.  A simple truth can place error in a very embarrassing position.  Truth is ennobling always.  Resist evil and be spared its blighting curse.

“Cleave to that which is good.”  In so doing there is great reward.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Original Documents

Images Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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EDITOR’S NOTE:

My great-grandfather served as the pastor of Underwood Memorial Methodist Church (now Tenth Street Underwood Memorial United Methodist Church), Atlanta, Georgia, from late 1938 to his retirement in late 1945.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

APRIL 22, 2014 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF GENE BRITTON, EPISCOPAL PRIEST

THE FEAST OF CESAR CHAVEZ, LABOR UNION LEADER

THE FEAST OF CHARLES HAMILTON HOUSTON, ATTORNEY

THE FEAST OF SAINT FIDELIS OF SIGMARINGEN, CAPUCHIN FRIAR AND MARTYR

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To whomsoever I shall send thee thou shalt go.

–Jeremiah 1, 7 (Authorized Version)

I.

God has a place of service for every one of us.  To fill that place he calls.  Each one has his own duty to perform.  We ourselves must do it, or it will go undone.  Others can do no more than their own part.  Hence God’s cause will languish if we neglect our own work.

II.

The least God can expect is loyalty, fidelity.  His cause is so important that slight indifference hurts.

Be true to Christ:

(1)  By turning from every wrong.  A seemingly small sin may ruin our influence or wreck a soul.

(2)  Be loyal by zealously attending church services.

You expect the pastor to be faithful; is it less your duty to be equally so?

What sort of a church would Underwood be if every member were just like me?

Your zeal will help boost the church and help reach souls.

III.

“Thou shalt go.”

God looks to you.  How dare anyone be out of his place any time?  Will you be true?  Can your pastor and God depend on you?

If my hand slackened I should rob God–since he is fullest good, leaving a blank instead of violins.  He could not make Antonio Stradivari’s violins without Antonio.”–George Elliott

“You are God’s opportunity in your day.  He has waited for ages for a person just like you.  If you refuse him then God loses his opportunity which he sought through you, and he will never have another, for there will never be another on earth just like you.”

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“Bring to God your gift, my brother.

He’ll not need to call another;

You will do;

He will add his blessing to it,

And the two of you will do it,

God and you.”

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Will you go away from this service to forget this appeal from God, or will you bestir your soul and be in your place?

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT

Above:  The Original Document

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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2 Peter 1, 5

I.

“Well begun is half done.”  But many a good beginning is never finished.  There are many allurements by the way to turn us aside.  Many heed them and fall out.

II.

Peter exhorts that we be “diligent” as Christians who have started well.  He urges that we give heed, careful attention to our lives, so that with earnestness and wise activity we advance, grow.

(a)  Hold the grace already received.  Do not lose ground gained.  Use the means of grace–prayer, Bible study, public worship, etc., that our faith and love may be increased.  “Thou hast left thy first love.”  What a pity!

(b)  “Add to your faith.”  We begin with faith, or trust in God, and have peace with him.  “The just shall live by faith.”  But other graces are to be attained too.  We need them to help us meet life’s demands.

(c)  Labor diligently to realize the glorious possibilities opened out to you.  They will not be attained in a day but diligence under God’s blessings will add to your store as the days come and go.

III.

If thus you live your life will not be fruitless; rich results will be yours at last.  “Each tomorrow will find you further than today.”

GEORGE WASHINGTON BARRETT