Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1873-11-22
Sermon Preached by Rev. 4. o. Fisher. on
Nov. 16, In she Bap.lst Church,

TExT-Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of
1t are the issues of life-Prorer6s, ": 20.
This book abounds in precepts of wisdom.
Not strings of pearls or golden chains, but
strewn up and down this book we find in rich
profusion, pearls of untold worth, ingols of
the most precious metal. Oh, that the chill
drcn of men would heed the divine admoni-
tion to search the Scriptures-and phs,de ,ce
not?
In this text we are addressed about a mailer
OF life and death. The words are commanding
all Scripture counsel has the authority of
command. 1t is solemn charge from God to
man-to every man. In like manner as the
judge charges the jury, does God SEEK to
charge US.
Before entering upon direct consideration
OF this subject, let us inquire about the heart.
What is il? 1t IS the central orsBn of the an
imal organization. So in the Christian life,
so in the Christian system of all affection.
Aud note the co nmand, 1st. We are com.
mand, to keep The heart
l. Learn by observation. Our chief execu-
tive officer of the Government is charged
with the safe keeping of this country. To do
SO, he must have watthful eye upon every
avenue of power or influence ut home or
abroad.
IL. The General of an army is entrusted
with the lives and property, not only of the
army but the whole country.
Ill. The man whom you place in your
banks. or as treasurer in charge of your funds,
must keep them unimpaired by an intelligent
outlook upon all monied movements.
Nv. Your minister is in a sense, charged
with the keeping Of the MORALS as well of the
community as of the church.
V. The text, apprehend, teaches MS TO
keep the heart-regardng the term in its
most general sense possbly-not only as be.
ing the center of Christian life, experience
and power, but as the seat of all Affection of
love, hate, cnutage, envy, passion or emotion !;
and the text charges that it be kept with all
diligence-kept with diligence and watchful-
ness that shall correspond with the interests
represented in the trust!
We notice the reason here given, by inspira-
tion, why we should thus keep the heart:"
Because "for out OF il'-the heart-"are the
issues of life"
l. Out of the heart comes the engagements of
life. The heart well kept, then the life engage
ments are carefully made, which save the
community from all conspiracies or cOnsoli.
dating of interests or monopoles further than
are consistent with the public good.
H. Out OF the heart comes the ambitions
and motives actuating us in this life. The
heart well kept, Is kept In the fear of God, and
we have at once reached an end of the unholy
ambitions aud riyalres that are to- day urging
so many Of our people to ruin and the cbun.
try to bankruptcy.
III. Out of the heart comes the indulgences
of men. Let the heart be well kept aud men
will not follow their passions into dis
graceful affrays; and men will not follow their
lusts into the foul means ne cessary to their
qualification nor the appetites to the extent
of their ruin, as is seen In the case of the user
of Tobacco, opium and strong drink.
lV. Out Of the heart are the issues Of life.
The employments of fmen-their business, may
be found among these issues. Would it be
possible for man whose heart is we'll kept, to
follow an employment, the result of which is
bad--as the gambler? And yet our land is
full of men whose only occupation is TO over
reach and defraud What oi the man who
Contents himself with the paltry gain derived
| from tile traffic in intoxicating drink To
employ himself In breaking up the happiness
and peabe of the family by making brute of
the father and son, aud indeed, the mother.
ask what shall we Say of the man who for
money, will consent 10. a business that uhniis-
takably ruins body and soul in nell-thht his
heart is well kept9 No! no!
The politician looks for remedy for the
evils that are upon society, in men and means
The statesman has his hopes In the increased
intelligence of the people. Here 1t is keep
the heart we'll, and all is well.
The weather Sunday night last was very
thick and heavy ON the lake, and 1t was with
| s.eaat dfFioultv that vessels cOulu 0ef alUnO