The Gospel in the Wind

By

W. B. Walker

PREFACE

This is our thirteenth book to present to the reading public. The publishers have been courteous to me in every way. I appreciate these courtesies more than I have words to express. The acceptance of my writings has been gratifying indeed. Little did I dream when I first began to write that the twelve volumes would be so graciously accepted. I am thankful to our Lord, and to the reading public. I have had but one burden in presenting these messages from time to time -- to lead the sinner to the cross for pardon, to direct the believer into heart holiness through the Baptism with the Holy Ghost, and to encourage believers to fight the good fight of faith. These are messages that have been preached before they were written. We are praying that this booklet will receive the same favor from the reading public, as the previous writings. May these short, pointed, and tender messages bring conviction to the sinner, holiness to the believer, and encouragement to all believers to keep true to God, and to finally make it home to Heaven.

W. B. Walker

1 -- ARRESTED SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God -- and are become such as have need of milk, and notof strong meat -- for every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is ababe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:12-14).

A baby that is normal is a lovely and interesting thing. On the other hand, a baby of arrested physical development is one of the saddest sights of earth. Arrested spiritual development is what troubled the soul of this great writer to the Hebrew Christians. The writer's whole heart was wrapped up in the welfare of his countrymen and the extension of the kingdom of Christ. He looked around and saw one very common feature that characterized these Hebrew Christians -- arrested development -- chronic babyhood. This was the burden of his message. In many passages he points out the symptoms, and in many others he suggests the cure. Let us prayerfully, and reverently look into this condition, and then take a look at the marvelous cure that the writer recommends.

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I. THESE BELIEVERS WERE SLOW TO COMPREHEND SPIRITUAL THINGS

"Seeing ye are dull of hearing! For when by reason of the length of time (since your conversion) ye ought to be teachers and leaders and soul-winners, ye have need again that someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God." They had been taught once, but they had not put into practice what they had been taught, and finally had forgotten the simple, primary truths of the blessed Gospel.

No doubt they had been taught the "first principles" of Christ, or the Christian religion, such as the conviction of sin by the Holy Ghost, repentance of sin -- a turning away from it with abhorrence, and the giving up of the practice of it. We may certainly include with these the acceptance of Christ by faith as the one and only Saviour from sin. Without Him there is no salvation.

However, these Hebrew believers were prone to backsliding, and were on the ragged edge of fatal apostasy, because they were unable to comprehend spiritual truth. The writer wishes to teach them the deep things of God, but they had become like new converts "again". Instead of being in College English, and basking in the glorious literature of the classics, they were back in the Primer class, and learning the A, B, C's.

The writer graphically describes the cause of this condition. He declares with boldness that carnality is the chief cause of this lack of comprehending spiritual things. Every thoughtful Biblical preacher knows something about this condition in believers. He has seen that perplexedand vacant stare on the faces of his hearers that ought to have glowed with the light of Heaven. "I do not understand," they say, "about this perfect love -- this sanctification -- this holiness! What is this new-fangled teaching?"

New-fangled, did you say? Yes, as new-fangled as Enoch who walked with God for three hundred years, and was translated that he should not see death -- for before his translation he had this testimony "that he pleased God." As new-fangled as Moses through whom God said, "Ye shall be holy for I am holy." As new-fangled as Paul who wrote, "But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." As new-fangled as Peter through whom God said, "Like as he who called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of living -- because it is written, be ye holy, for I am holy." As new-fangled as John whom God inspired to write, "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." And as new-fangled as Jesus who said, "Be ye perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect. "Unpopular as it may be, thank God I have fallen in love with this new-fangled doctrine and experience of entire sanctification!

Some of these prolonged infants exclaim, "We cannot help sinning. Why, I sin daily in thought, word and deed." Yes, Satan does that himself, and in no more ways than that. The state of the heart, with depravity, is at the bottom of this whole sinning business. "Out of the heart are the issues of life."

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II. THESE HEBREW BELIEVERS WERE BABIES

"Ye are become such as have need of milk and not solid food. For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness -- for he is a babe." Paul had this same trouble with the Corinthian Christians. "And I brethren, could not speak unto you as spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were unable to bear it, neither yet now are ye able." I fear we have too many spiritual babies in our churches, who should press their way into holiness of heart and life. Some of these babies have been converted ten, twenty, thirty, and even forty years ago. By some trick of Satan, their normal spiritual development has been arrested, and they are still infants in conduct, thought, and conversation.

We have many unfailing characteristics of them. Most babies like to be amused. They want rattleboxes, whistles, pictures and toys. Is it not so with some who profess the name of Christ? No prayer meetings, or half-nights of prevailing prayer! No wrestling with the grave problems of the Church! But, too often they are interested in funny preachers, amusements, broom-drills, grab-bags, and the like.

Then, we have some spiritual babies that are easily fretted. Some of them are peevish, and want to be coddled and nursed and handled and rocked. What pastor does not know of that grayhaired, sixty year-old babe (sometimes younger ones) who was dreadfully put out because on Friday afternoon she looked out of her window and actually saw her pastor go right by her house without calling! There was no excuse for such conduct, even though he was making a hurried call on a sick man two blocks away! She was a woman of consequence in the parish, and the pastor certainly ought to have honored her with a good social visit. She stays away from church a whole month to pout about it, and to teach that young pastor not to neglect his first families!

And Mr. B is mortally offended because he was not elected on the Church Board at the last Annual Church meeting. Mrs. C is very put out because she was not asked to sing the solo in the Sunday morning service. Another is badly offended because she was not re-elected as the President of the young people's work. Another is mortally hurt, because the preacher insisted that all Christian people should tithe their wages. Yonder is another that is hurt because the pastor missed him and does not shake hands with him at the close of the service. The successful pastor must carry a milk bottle in one hand and a pacifier in the other to take care of the babies in his congregation.

I must not overlook another characteristic of a baby. Most babies have a talkative spirit. Perhaps you have seen that professor of salvation who could not talk in public. Yet he could talk freely and eloquently to his neighbor over the back yard fence. Then, you have seen that person who says, "I am not gifted in speech." Too often, such a one cannot pray in public, nor lead the prayer meeting, but can fluently discuss the faults of the preacher, his family, the neighbors, and scatter discord among the brethren. The cause for all of this unnecessary and loose talk among believers, is the result of a carnal heart.

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III. THESE BELIEVING CHRISTIANS WERE UNSKILLFUL

"For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience in the word of righteousness." Of course such persons do not seem to understand anything about entire sanctification, perfectlove, and the fiery baptism with the Holy Ghost. Such things are beyond the Primer class or the kindergarten. There are some things that can only be known by experience. There is the joy of the orator who advocates some great truth or cause. He plays on the emotions of the soul and calls to action the hesitating will as readily and efficiently as the harper sweeps the silent strings and calls forth entrancing strains of melody. Who can know such supreme joy, except the musician himself?

Who can know the joy of a physician, who grapples with disease that has prostrated some loved patient, and vanquished the monster death, and brings such a one back to health and usefulness? Only the attending physician can know such supreme joy. And who can know the supreme joy of a sanctified experience, except the one who has consecrated his all to the Great Physician, and received the blessed baptism of the Holy Ghost?

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IV. THE REMEDY FOR THIS CONDITION

Yes, there is a glorious cure for this carnal condition. The writer says, "Therefore, leaving the principles (elementary grades) of the doctrines of Christ, let us go on unto perfection -- not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection from the dead, and of eternal judgment." Thanks be unto God for this marvelous cure -- a complete deliverance from the infected nature. The writer continues to say, "Wherefore, he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Still this wonderful writer says, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." The royal blood of Christ, can cleanse the believer from all moral defilements. He can save from the lowest depths of sin to the loftiest heights of holiness and purity. The blood has never lost its power -- today, you may plunge into this crimson stream!

2 -- THE BLESSED HELPER

I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter" (John 14:16). "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost." (John 14:26); "But when the Comforter is come." (John15:26); "If I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you." (John 16:7). I have been greatly interested in the word "another" that is used in connection with the Holy Ghost as the Comforter. Whatever the word "Comforter" may mean, Jesus fulfilled it all. But now, He is about to depart from His disciples, yet He will not leave them orphans. Another is to supersede Him. The three chapters of John, embracing thirteen to seventeen, should be read in the light of the betrayal, with Calvary crowding upon the dawn of tomorrow. The expression. "Comforter" is used only four times as the name for the Holy Spirit. It is significant to note that each time it is in connection with the betrayal and crucifixion of our Lord. The Greek word for "Comforter" is sometimes translated into English as paraclete -- even then we are unable to fully understand the mysteries of its meaning. The best authority defines the word as a HELPER, a SUCCORER, an AIDER, and an ASSISTANT. But the best interpretation is that of a personal HELPER. Jesus was going away, and His beloved disciples stood in need of a personal helper.

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I. THEY NEEDED HELP IN TIME OF DISCOURAGEMENT The disciples hoped that the Master would strike from their necks the yoke of Roman domination, and set up a world rule, which was the very opposite of that which Jesus came to accomplish. As another Helper, the Holy Ghost was to stand close beside these disciples, and direct them in the way they should go. Every Spirit-filled person will meet discouragements and disappointments along the way of life. Yet, the Spirit as our personal Helper, will sustain and comfort the weary-worn, dust covered, fearfully misunderstood, and disappointed Christian. Jesus met these same discouragements that every Christian will meet, and came forth wearing a Victor's crown.

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II. THE SPIRIT WILL HELP US IN RECALLING THE PAST "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said un to you." He brought to the minds of the disciples, the things that Jesus had spoken to them during His earthly ministry. The blessed Helper brought to their minds the tenderness, the compassion, the understanding, the love and the severity of Jesus. Oh, how we need this Divine Helper to understand the deep truths of the Bible! This blessed Comforter will direct our feet in the way of truth. How He will illuminate our understanding, and bring back the precious things which we have heard. It is upon these past truths, that we may feed our souls in time of drouth.

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III. THE SPIRIT HELPS US IN OUR QUEST FOR TRUTH "He will guide you into all truth." Doubtless the truth referred to here is the truth that saves men from sin -- it is the most important truth. The Christian is forever a truth seeker. Dr. Parker said that Adam Clarke was the greatest scholar in a thousand years. Dr. Clarke said, "One who is filled with the Holy Ghost may acquire more knowledge in any given branch of learning in one month, than another of like caliber and equal application can acquire in twelve months without the Spirit." Oh, Divine Helper, take us deeper into this glorious saving truth -- that saves men from all sin!

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IV. THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US TO BEAR WITNESS FOR CHRIST "And ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." The Master said, "Even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. The Spirit does not speak of Himself, but He takes peculiar delight in magnifying Christ. On the day of Pentecost, one hundred and twenty believers were filled with the blessed Spirit and went everywhere bearing a warm and glowing testimony for Christ and His resurrection. The Spirit urges us to witness for Christ in the home, in the shop, in the church, in rendering Christian service, such as ringing door bells, visiting the unchurched, binding up the broken hearted, encouraging the discouraged, comforting the dying, and radiating Him to the ends of the earth. What a privilege to witness for Him!

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V. THE SPIRIT IS OUR HELPER IN PRAYER Paul says, "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." The Holy Spirit catches up the inexpressible desires, the unuttered longings of the heart, the tears, the groans, and bears them away to the throne of grace. The Spirit puts burdens upon the heart that cannot be uttered with human lips, and wafts them across the distance of space to the blessed heart of our Lord. There are groanings that cannot be uttered -- desires that cannot be expressed -- feelings that cannot be interpreted on a human basis. Oh, glorious Spirit that takes these inexpressible feelings and longings of the soul to the Father! No one needs to go without this Divine Helper!

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VI. THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES THE PROPHETIC VISION "He will shew you things to come." Here is the great secret of Christian optimism. The Spirit helps us to look up, and over, and beyond to the final triumph of Christ. The present looks dark and discouraging -- the world is full of sorrow, disappointments ride on every breeze, whilesin-burdened, habit-bound and disobedient humanity marches toward the rapids of utter destruction. What shall the Christian do? Thank God, this personal Helper inspires us to look beyond the present state of things, to the land of a better day. Oh, Thou glorious Helper, who will finally lead us home!

3 -- THE SUFFERINGS OF OUR MASTER

The apostle Peter says, "The sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." There are many kinds of suffering in our world. There is physical suffering. I know something about it,for I did not have any health until I was fourteen years of age. But there is a suffering that is keener and deeper than physical suffering. Yonder is a person who has enjoyed great liberty and purity in Christ. But in an unguarded moment, and under the stress of temptation he falls into sin and shame.He sadly disappoints his friends, his hopes are blighted, his future is wrecked, his family is disgraced, God is offended and the Spirit is grieved. What would physical suffering be compared to suffering like that? Spiritual suffering is keener than those of either the mind or the body. Let me call your attention to two things in this marvelous passage of Peter. (I Peter 1:11)

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I. THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST

"The sufferings of Christ."

Our God entered the realm of human suffering through Jesus Christ. John says, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." The Father had never hungered, but Jesus hungered and found no fruit upon the fig tree. God never slept, but Jesus was born with fatigue and slept in the vessel on the wind-swept lake. God was never weary, but Jesus sat weary on the well's curb. God neverlabored, for He commanded and it was done -- Jesus blistered His hands at the carpenter's shop in Nazareth and trudged up the hillside at even tide to His little cottage with the earnings of the day. The Father had never known the silence of the tomb, but Jesus laid Himself down in the tomb.

Jesus staggered down the street of Jerusalem, and struggled up the hill to the cross. His suffering was so great that the sun in all its strength and beauty refused to shine, and pulled sackcloth of darkness across its face. The moon looked cold and sad, and refused to look upon the horrible scene. The red-fingered, lurid lightning played around Golgotha's brow, while Horeb splither granite ribs, and the cedars of Lebanon bowed and swayed with awful grief -- the earth heaved and broke its heart, while the mountains were convulsed with heart-breaking sorrow. And on the cross God met hell's most malignant challenge and conquered in the realm of its own selection. It was hate meeting love, anarchy meeting holiness, carnality meeting purity, hell in combat with Heaven, Satan matching arms with Jehovah, and there could be but one issue -- Heaven was victor.

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II. THE GLORY OF CHRIST

"And the glory that should follow."

It was the glory of salvation. The Master said, "It is finished." The great plan of human redemption was finished. This salvation saves all types of sinners. Yes, all may come to this cleansing fountain. The high and the low, may come to this royal fountain that was opened up. The deep-dyed sinner may come to this wonderful pardoning Christ. The believer may come to this glorious fountain, and be cleansed from innate depravity. What a glorious plan that embraces all men, in all climes, and in all ages!

This is also the glory of immortality. "Jesus Christ brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." I have often wondered how unbelievers could bury their dead and not die. The heartbroken heathen beat their heads upon the ground and wail without hope. When death came into my home, I walked the street, but people did not seem to understand that I had lost the dearest one in all the world to me. Yes, our little boy of eight summers had been taken from us.

I walked out into the field, and the flowers bloomed with the same blush and tint as if there were no death in the land. Even the birds seemed to sing as blithely as ever, and sang on as if no one were dead. I wandered out under the stars, and they shimmered on in their glory, and the moon shed her silvery beams across my path as though no one had ever died. I said -- "Who can help me? How can I bear it? Who can solve the riddle of life?" But thank God, Jesus left a light burning in the tomb that all the doubts and storms of the centuries could not extinguish! Thus, immortality is sure -- a future life is guaranteed. "Because I live, ye shall live also." Glorious hope!

There is the glory of conquest. In the days to come Jesus will break into pieces the kingdoms of this world. He shall set up His wonderful kingdom that shall never come to an end. In the days to come He will possess the earth that He purchased with His own blood. The Word says,"Every branch which is not of my Father's planting shall be plucked up." The day will come when all wars shall cease. "They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks, and nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

This blessed Conqueror shall give us a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. He shall set up His kingdom that will never be destroyed. In that day righteousness shall cover the earth as the waters now cover the sea. Sickness and death shall be banished from the earth, and a little child shall play with the asp. The wolf and the lamb shall lie down together. What a glorious day awaits the saints of God! Soon the Lord shall take away all sickness, and wipe all tears from our eyes. There will be no more sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away. He shall make all things new, and unto the end of the ages He will be King over His people. Blessed Hope!

4 -- MAKING GOD MORE REAL

Recently I was led of the Spirit into a gracious season of prayer, and at the close of this wonderful waiting before the Lord, I made this solemn vow unto the Lord: "I hereby resolve to make you more real to my own soul, and to the people whom I serve." I fully realize that it is one thing to make a vow, and quite another thing to fulfill it. How important it is that we make the Lord real in these troublesome times! Do we act as if God still lives? Does He really live and reign within? Are we in vital touch with Him? How can we make the Lord more real to our own soul, and to those whom we serve?

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I. WE CAN MAKE THE LORD MORE REAL BY GIVING MORE ATTENTION TO PRAYER Prayer to the Christian is as necessary as food and clothing for the body. Prayer is more than murmuring and complaining to the Lord. We should pray and not fuss and fume about world conditions. We should pray until the machinery of the soul is fully lubricated -- pray until we are in the presence of the Lord -- pray until things come to pass. We should pray until we are empowered with supernatural strength -- pray until the Lord becomes real to our own soul. Paul says, "Pray without ceasing." In Acts we read, "And when they prayed, the place was shaken." Still the writer of the Acts says, "But prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."

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II. TO KNOW GOD BETTER, WE SHOULD GIVE MORE TIME TO THE READING OF THE BIBLE The Bible should be studied for soul food and genuine spiritual instruction. This blessed Book should be given first place in our lives. We should read its history, its prophecy, its poetry, its promises, its punishments, its comparisons, its descriptions of the future, and its hopes. We should read it for strength in these evil days. "As thy day, so shall thy strength be." In these winding days of turmoil and strife, it is our greatest source of strength and comfort. If we would know the Lord better, we should know His Book better. Paul says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

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III. THERE SHOULD BE FREQUENT ANOINTINGS OF THE HOLY GHOST The blessings of the past are not sufficient -- there must be new touches of holy fire, and fresh springs of joy springing up within the heart. We must not suffer our souls to become dry, and fireless and powerless. The early disciples gathered in a certain place for prayer, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost. They had already received their Pentecost in the upper room, but they were now face to face with an impending crisis. They prayed, and the place was shaken, and they went forth proclaiming the Word with power and boldness. How our hearts need to be broken, our spirits need a gracious mellowing, and we need that joy that is unspeakable and full of glory! Yes, to know the Lord better, and to make Him more real to others, let us seek new spiritual overflows that move others toward the Kingdom of God.

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IV. WE SHOULD LIVE MORE AND MORE IN HIS PRESENCE Moses would not continue his march to the promised land without the presence of the Lord. He was given this bracing promise: "My presence shall go with thee and I will give you rest. "More and more we need this Divine Presence. His presence guided the children of Israel safely to the land of Promise. How we need the divine presence in our private lives, in our homes, in our work, in our testings, and in the services of the church. With His presence, we can walk in the fiery furnace of affliction, in the lion's den of persecution, and in the valley of the shadow of death. His presence will empower us to meet opposition and the misunderstandings of life. The Divine Presence in our services puts life in the singing, winsomeness into the sermon, conviction on the sinner, and hunger in the heart of the unsanctified. Oh, that we should live more and more in His presence! Let us practice the presence of God!

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V. WE SHOULD HAVE A GREATER PASSION FOR BLEEDING AND SOBBING HUMANITY If we know the Lord in the power of His resurrection, then we can make Him more real to others. This world is lost and without God, but men have never been more hungry for the Bread of Life than now. Truly, the harvest is ripe, and this is our greatest day of opportunity to win men to Christ. There is a real soul hunger in men, and a growing concern for God throughout this land. Oh, that we shall make God more real to suffering humanity! Jesus looked upon the fainting multitudes with compassion. When He looked upon the doomed city of Jerusalem, it broke His heart. When He looked out of tearful eyes upon the shepherdless multitudes it crushed His spirit. We should evangelize the nations of earth, but what about the little world near your doorsteps? What about the block where you live? Have you touched those near you with this blessed Gospel that saves and sanctifies men? Yes, if we are to make the Lord real to our own souls, and to the souls of others, we must love the souls of men. We should love men as Jesus loved them. Do we love the secret place of prayer? Is the Bible a living Book to you? Are you frequently anointed of the Spirit? Do you have His constant presence? Do the lost multitudes of earth move your heart? How much do you love souls? Beloved, let's make the Lord more real to the souls of men! Let's linger in His presence until our hearts are broken over the lost about us!

5 -- THE GOSPEL IN THE WIND

"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, so is everyone that is born of the Spirit." (John 3:8). The atmosphere is the life and breath of nature. Take it away and nature becomes one vast tomb without so much as the wind to wail over it. The Holy Spirit is the atmosphere of the immortal realm -- the life and breath of the spiritual universe. Take it away and the moral world is left in hopeless death. The atmosphere in motion we term wind. The wind is only the air in movement. Here the Master makes the wind to show the movements of the Spirit. "The wind bloweth where it listeth. "It was night when the Master had this talk with Nicodemus. Perhaps the night winds were heard sighing and wailing without, giving suggestion which the Great Teacher used. "Thou hearest the sound thereof." Let me call your attention to several things about the wind.

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I. THE WIND IS NOTED FOR ITS FREEDOM Essential freedom is its distinctive feature -- it is unbridled. It is the untamed and untameable element in nature. The river is confined to its channel, and the ocean is bedfast and powerless to chase even a child -- but the wind is swift-footed for the chase, and winged for the flight. It is at home on land and sea. Thus it is with the Holy Ghost. He is confined to no channel, and is bound by no cord. He is everywhere present and everywhere free. He will find out every man, whether he be fleeing from duty or pressing toward God -- whether his condition be one of pomp or poverty, whether a miner in the pit or a prince on a throne -- God's Spirit will find him out. Some men take up life in fruitless attempts to get away from the Holy Spirit. They plunge into business, pleasure, society and sin, but in vain. Like Felix, bidding the Spirit, "Go thy way, "or like Jonah, hiding in the ship's hull, there is no escape. Every man has felt the Spirit's power as sure as he has felt the atmosphere or the wind. Converted he may not be -- convicted he may have been, yet he could not help it. "whither shall I go from thy presence? or whither shall I flee from thy spirit?"

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II. THE WIND IS MYSTERIOUS IN ITS OPERATIONS "Thou canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth." We know the general condition of the wind, such as seasons, heat and other elements, but what know we of the origin or end of any current of air? It arises we know not where, and goes we know not whither. This doubtless was anew thought to Nicodemus. He had marked many things in the Old Testament, but he had not observed this Spirit-wind. This Spirit current has come down mysteriously through the Old Testament ages, and is now going forth with increasing volume over the earth, until every rational creature shall feel its power. Hence, Nicodemus might well ask, as the world is ever asking, "How can these things be?"

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III. THE RESISTLESS POWER OF THE WIND Though in its gentler and softer moods, it suits its breathing to the delicate aeolian strings, and the music be soft and sweet as the notes of a seraph's flute, yet in its wilder moments it becomes the king of terrors in the physical world. No other element of nature dare dispute its sway. The earth that feeds its millions is powerless to resist it. The giant oak, the child of the forest, is torn in a moment from its place, and hurled heavenward by the passing cyclone, and the earth's bosom is left torn and disfigured. The city, made solid by the passing centuries, is caught and dashed as a child's toy to destruction. Herein is a picture of the blessed Holy Ghost. Moving now in the terrible tempest, anon in the "still small voice." His gentle brooding over the dark, dead waters at the day-dawn of creation, giving life to the stagnant seas -- hovering now over the dead of humanity to quicken it into spiritual life. The mighty revivals which have marked the different periods were but the movements of the Holy Spirit. It is that power that has brought nearly two hundred thousands in India to stand before the door of the church pleading for admission. In these "violent movings" of the Spirit multiplied thousands have been brought to Christ. It was the same Spirit-wind in Wesley's day, Charles G. Finney's time, and of these days, that has swept multiplied thousands into the kingdom of God. Oh, for a mighty outpouring of His Spirit, upon every city, town, and rural district in this country!

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IV. THE WIND CANNOT BE SILENCED "Thou hearest the sound thereof." You hear, whether you wish to hear or not. The wind on a winter's night may howl and wail without, and scream around the house corners as if demons were loose, robbing you of your slumbers and tormenting you with unrest. You may wish the wind to silence, but in vain. You may turn your thoughts to other themes, but anon in double terror their deafening roar breaks upon your ears. There is no escape save in the destruction of the sense of hearing. We cannot silence the Holy Ghost. The ears of the soul are greeted by His warning voice. Like the wind it "lifts up its voice without, and crieth in the streets." That voice breaks upon the cloudy elements of the guilty soul in terrible and tormenting tones. Oft in the silent night He brings wretchedness and unrest. The sinner may wish that voice silenced, but in vain -- you may command it away, but as well may you try to command the winds -- you may turn from it in contemplating other things, but anon it breaks upon the soul with unearthly alarms. The deaf are not disturbed by the howling of the night winds. The Holy Spirit has no alarms for the dead conscience. Therefore, if you do not feel the influence of the Spirit as you once did, it is not because the Gospel has lost its power to awaken, but it is because your soul has reached that deadness where the Spirit's voice can no longer be heard. So dead that the Holy Ghost cannot awaken it.

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V. THE WIND CANNOT BE AROUSED We are as powerless to arouse the wind as to silence it. It is not in our power to move the self-willed currents of the air. We may be fainting beneath a tropical sun, dying in the stagnant heat, and feel as if we would give all for a cooling breath, yet we may perish in the very midst of the atmosphere because we are powerless to put its currents in motion. So with the Spirit of God, when He ceases His movements upon the soul. We have no power to renew His motion. That was a fatal mistake of Felix, presuming that when it was "convenient to him" he could recall the Spirit. This is the mistake of thousands. when once the Spirit is rejected, there is no assurance whatever, that He will ever return. How many have wished for the Spirit's return, but alas! they might as well have wished for the moving of the wind. "Thou hearest the sound thereof." You perhaps hear it now. Blessed hour when this can be said! Sinner, hearest thou now the Spirit's pleading voice? Heed His message! It may be bringing thee final farewell whispers of life and hope!

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THE END

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