Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-02-12
Sermon to young Men.

1t is known to most of our readers that the elo-
quent Rev. DR.. Duncan of the Episcopal Meth
odist Church has been transferred from Rich
mond to Petersburg. In the. latter city he is
now delivering series OF sermons addressed to
young men. A correspondent of the Richmond.
Examiner furnishes the following brief abstract
of the third sermon of the series delivered on
The reverend gentleman took for his text the
latter part of the seventeenth verse ofthe second
chapter of John II write unto young men be-
cause you are strong; because the word OF God
abidest in you, and you have overcome thewick-
ed. " !. a, ell .., ,st>.3 id
The Apostle, throughout this epistle to the
Church, addresses the different classes of which
it is composed. He especially addresses the
little ones-the fathers, and then the young
men. because they are strong. Solomon says
the glory of young men is his strength. The
old cannot share it with him, for his glory is
his silver head, and his strength has departed.
Peculiarly the strength of the young man is
his glory-his strength, physically, mentally
and morally; and for the use of this strength
God holds him responsible, and woe unto him
if he misuses it.
l. You are responsible for the way and man.
ner in which you employ your strength. You
must meet this responsibility quickly, for it will
soon be gone, and can never be recalled; and
properly, or fail to use it.
The manner in which you use it will depend
on your intelligence, and you should seek to
know how it should be applied. In word, as
a man, use it manly. GEN i+
1t is an abuse of it to waste it in idleness and
fivolity. Youth is the day of activity; the
brain then acts with energy, for when you be-
come old you must rest. You must not be
waiting for opportunity to do. there is always
something to be done, and it is best to be en-
ployed.
IF you waste the early years it is impossible
to get them back.
2. 1t is abuse when spent in folly. You must
have recreation, but there are rational modes
of amusement. But some make play the rule,
and work not at ALL
8. 1t is abused when spent in vice when the
appetites are keen, and the affections strong,
you are apt to be led of.
4. 1t is abused when sacrificed to unworthy
and ignoble ends; when devoted to purely
selfish purposes, without thought of anything
above the earth-when nothing of God enters
his calculations.
However abused, it will have its memorial
and revenge. To use it intelligently you must
study, to ascertain the way In which it was de-
signed to be used. To attempt to prevent it is
dangerous, and you should not use it according
to your own notions, but after the design of
God.
Y You are responsible for the results which you
might have produced, if you had properly used
your strength. For your health for your
character, and for what you might have done
for the church The Macedonian cry is going
up all around you, and your strength should
be used in response to it.
What glorious result would ensue if all the
young men of this city, for twelve months. would
use it properly.
The young will soon have control of affairs.
The old are passing away, and speedily you will
be called on to take their places, and you should
see that you use your strength in such man.
ner as to fill them worthily
Time fails to give more than this bare skele-
ton of DR.. Duncans most able and eloquent
discourse.