New-York tribune., 1874-10-26
SINS OF OMISSION.
The Rer CAc. Robinson D. d., at the PresbytraR Mmorf

The Rer ChGs Robinson ~ d. az Me fTfsoyfFdR s"oTta
The Rev. Chas. S. Robinson, ID. d., preached
in the morning at the Presbyterian Memorial Church.
He chose for his text: ITO him that knoweth to do
good and doeth not, to him IL is SIM James iv, H..
Dr. Robinson said substantially:
When the Apostle John. who gentle, breaks
out in the expression, IF say that we have not
sinned we make God liar and His word is us -
we are startled. We instnctively look at the
ton OF such sentences If not have mis-
taken the meaning. When we read again. "If We say
we have fellowship with God and walk In darkness we
lie and do tell the TRUTH, such statements appear TO
us all somewhat extreme. 1t always surprises TO
find an habituay mild man using such strong language.
But if we forced to the conviction that he is in
earnest and really means what he says then for
get the speaker In the violence of the senti-
ment. We begin 10 stubDOrnly deny the charges.
ourselves and the truth Is in Us" But this
does take , the sharp edge altogether for We have
denable that most men nave II" truc CONVECTION OF per
sonal guilt snch demands ignorance for an apo Ogy,
or offers It as an excupo&h, IN AZ NJ al evenes we "a e not
tioe under the sweeping condemnation equivalent TO
pungng back upon the Divine Being who made Us, the
Accusation OF himself bearing false witness.
It Il probable make two mistakes At once. We do
not attempt add ne numbers or our actual trans
gesslons. ahi We do not remember that nonperiOrn-
OF right is the same as zeal wrong IL becomes
evident that all the sacred writer's have anOtner
standard than ours by which they more curatey regis
ter Nervousness OF human conduct in the siga OF u
God. The lear IN every exhibition OF men :
responsibility for behavior. that many one will be
found who is attempting 10 pass all particulars by ana
take sweet satisfaction In cOnfesslng generals. He
will admit that he is sinner perhaps. Everybody IL.
He supposes he may have broken the Decalogue. But
you viii ask him In vain 10 mention the commandment
Sometimes will acknowledge that he Is exposed TO
the curse OF the In the moment however, he
is make stand OF denial at each precept In
turn. And he actually appears siucere lie may have
committed SID, but no sins. He Is dencd but not ex
actly blamewOrthy.
some peopIe there are who have choice In the parts
of Scripture they read. They think the Apostle John is
nv stical sometimes, ana sometimes extreme in his
views. They consider the Apostle Paul metaphy seal,
and they quote qnite helpful In their judgment, the
closing remark OF the Apostle Peter who said that his
be understood" On the whole, they appear like best
the Apostle James. He practical. He has thorough
common He does not oil into philosophical
faith. He notes what virtuoas
for vrtuous behavior Especially men OF the world OF
correct life and amiable temper have high regard for
this sober Dded Now Is not necessary for
combat adopt this general estimate Of the
epstle which this disciple OF Lord inspired 10
send 10 the churches only pause to congratulate my
by q writer so popular. Tho will undoubtedly
sound like q favorle quotation from n welcome chap
ter him that knOweth TO do good and doeth IL not
to HIM 10 sn." But that the question OF author
10 our study, do not seem 10 have made much ad
II will not do TO array this Apostle against the rest
He says precisely what the Others do, but what
the point he actually Repeats here the declaration o
his Lord and ours to the fact that not doing our duty
Is the positive doing OF wrong The two classes
OF people Christ addresses at the Judgment day differ In
the formula, thus, Inasmuch az ye did," and "Inas
much did IL not and IL those who did II
not who had TO take their places upon the left hand
lAHeyasat thai th's texI GalAlla AAaY Rlt YeEY lp