Increasing Glory
Mary Wilder Tileston's sermon 'Increasing Glory' emphasizes the importance of recognizing divine goodness and being in communion with God's presence in all things.
Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about finding joy and triumph in the works of God's hands, comparing life to a harp where we learn the melodies that will be played in eternity. She reflects on how each year softens the heart and clears the eyes to see the divine goodness in all things, independent of external circumstances. Tileston emphasizes the increasing gladness and glory of a right spirit life, highlighting the divine presence in every aspect of creation as a means of communication with God's mind.
Text
For Thou, Lord, hast made me glad through Thy work: I will triumph in the works of Thy hands. PSALMS 92:4
CONSIDER it
(This outer world we tread on) as a harp,--
A gracious instrument on whose fair strings
We learn those airs we shall be set to play
When mortal hours are ended.
JEAN INGELOW
EVERY year has been to me a softening of the impressible nature, and a clearing of the eye in all the fields of divine goodness, quite irrespective of the hard, hot, choking work of the external world and its attacks. I feel more and more how all right spirit life is a gladness and a glory increasing; how divine goodness is speaking in all tones that reach the heart with joy or sorrow, awe or ecstasy, everywhere and in all things, if we can but hear it; how completely the spirit within can be in communion with light, independent of external circumstances; and yet how external circumstances and creation are the medium through which God speaks. And if it is indeed a speech of God, an ever present incarnation of the divine mind, then the power of reading the divine mind can only exist for those who are in accordance with it.
EDWARD THRING
Sermon Outline
- Increasing Glory
- Recognizing Divine Goodness
- Spiritual Communion
- External Circumstances as Medium
Key Quotes
“EVERY year has been to me a softening of the impressible nature, and a clearing of the eye in all the fields of divine goodness” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“how divine goodness is speaking in all tones that reach the heart with joy or sorrow, awe or ecstasy, everywhere and in all things, if we can but hear it” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Make a conscious effort to recognize and appreciate divine goodness in your life, even in difficult circumstances.
- Cultivate a deeper spiritual connection with God by being open to His presence in all things.
- Seek to be in accordance with God's divine mind in order to understand His will and read His mind.