The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-11-18
Dealh.beds are Of EYe dlHer.

entering heaven Death-beds are of I've differ
eDt kinds.-
First, There is the death-bed of the Christian,
who is evidently one OF Cbrists people, and rs
sure of 1t. Fear is not q necessary part OF re1
gion, though many may be saved VINO are
fearful.
Secondly, There is the death. bed of the Chris
tian who Is as safe as the first, out who Is not as
happy. He is ever imagining that he is not
Cbrisps, trusting Him, but fearing that ne Is
mistaken. such people are surprised when
they awake and find themselves In heaven,
Thirdly, There is the death-bed OF the wicked
man who knows his condition, but dies In des-
pair and without repentance.
Fouithly, There is the death. bed Of the wicked
man who has become careless. BE has hard
ened his heart, and dares futurity. Some people
eau be subject 10 the ohoroiorm of sin so long
that death Will not alarm them. But the
calm and peaceful passing away Of such Is no
proof that they are not going to destruction.
And in the fifth place, there are persons who
thoroughly believe that they are dying in
Christ, but are deceived to the last
II is to this class that Christ Is speaking In
the text. Such are believers In Him, but work
eTs of iniquity. A person may be member OF
an evangelical church and always In his seat,
may have family service, always kneel at his
bedside, come regularly to the sacrament and
prayer-meetings and be ever ready to vindicate
the cause of orthodoxy. Such person be-
comes III; but he has no fear he thinks all is
right. His friends gather about him and tell
him OF the rest for the weary; his pastor comes
weaker, and at length they say, He sleeps in
Jesus ~
But let us look at the other side. He goes up
to the door OF the banquetng chamber, and
finds it shut. Surely there is some mistake.
So be cries out, Lord, Lord, open unto mel
But there is no answer, and he knocks again,
Still no answer and he begins to plead, saying
81 have eaten aud drunk in Thy presence and
Thou hast taught in our streets; l have been a
member of a Christian church. and am familiar
with Thy worshp."' But the Master of the
House hath risen up aud shut the door, saying,
depart from me, all ye workers OF ini
quity.n
There must be change OF the heart and re-
peutanCe and faith and love, else all other pleas
are vain, and the door is closed against us by
Jesus Himself. An expectation OF salvation t.
the end is no Lroof that 1t is coming, any more
than fear and trembling are proofs that we shal
be rejected. These words are not addressed to
drunkards and notorious sinners, but to pro
Tossing Christians, just such as are here to-day
Then let no one trust creed, theology, prayer
meetings, or anything OF the kind, for there
must be something more. The is laid at the
root of the tTee it is not the fruit alone but the
tree Its elf that is to be uprooted.
Then let us be in earnest in striving TO enter
in at the strait gate. The direction is obvious
to leave our sin behind us. Salvation is from
sin; but how can we be saved ii we still cling to
our sin? If you don't give up your sin, you
simply want TO get TO Heaven, and do not wish
salvation. The world is very pleasant, but
what shall it profit " man, if he shall gain the
fnitely better to leave behind everything whict
keeps you from entering in at the strait gate
The best Of our actions are polluted and defled
and we must strip off our own righteousness, az
well as our sin, ii we would so enter. The love
OF God must be shed abroad in our hearts by tht
Holy Spirit. Let US ask Him for grace to low
Him. Win he refuse? God wants our hearts
| and if we go to Him in prayer for His love, 81
ye then, being evil, know how to give good gift
unto your children, how much more shall you
Father which is in heaven give good things t
| them that ask HimT
But do it now; do not delay; seek the i'm
| pulse; repent and be converted, without waiting
| for God to convert you. If death were to com
upon you this night and take you away, it woul
| be your own fault that you were not saved
| There are many that wait, for their own destruc
the words, in letters of living light, 'Seek anC
ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto
you" But you delay, notwithstanding repeated
warnings, and suddenly the danger comes. The
earth shakes, the heavens are black with dark
ness. Now is the time to escaped You rust
towards the gate, but the letters of light are
| no longer there. THE Master OF the House il
risen up, and hath shut TO the door" Yol
knock, and then you plead for admttance, whei
you hear the words, 81 know you not Whenc
| ye are: depart from me, all ye workers of mi
guilty" Therefore, "strive to enter in at th,
strait gate, for many, l say unto you, vii
seek to enter in and shall not be able.n
AT the conclusion of his discourse, DR.. Hal
announced that he desired to address those whC
were not members of any church. but wert
seeking religion. Monday morning woulC
accordingly appointed the service from to
o'clock, at the Clinton Street Presbyterian
Church.