The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-12-09
LecIuro on Heroic RnlIrIon.

Rev. ]. r. Thompson delivered q
lecture on this subject to a good audience
last night at the Chaplne st. NJ. L,
Church. His remarks were founded on
he history Of Shadroch, Meshach and
AbodnCgo, the three young Hebrews who
refused to worship the golden image
erected by Nebuchadnezaor. Lie delineat-
ed al some length the whole history Of that
affair, describing their noble bearing
when in the presence Of the furious tyrant
who demanded that they should worship
his golden idol. Wrought up TO the high
est pitch Of fury, he ordered them to DO
cast into the. burning, fiery furnace, heat
ed to seven times It's wonted tierceness.
They were not destroyed, but appeared
walking amid It's flames, accompanied by
one like unto the Son OF God. The King.
terrified and trembling, ordered them to
come forth, and advanced them 10 posi-.
tions Of great power and trust.
One OF the reverend gentleman's main
lines Of thought was that men should be
loyal TO their own convictions OF right
and truth, though authority and power
may be employed TO crush them: These
three Hebrews he said held TO the unity
OF God, and the consequent wrongiulness
Of idolatry in oil its forms. They nobly
preferred 10 suffer a cruel death and be
loyal TO their own convictions, rather than
live:branded as traitors to their country
and apostates from their God. Prac-
licalizIng this TACT the lecturer appealed
to men not TO worship any Of
the false gods oil to-day. Though golden
idols may be lifted up on splendid affairs,
surrounded with every seductive art OF
the imagination, worshipped by cringlng
sycophants and designing hypocfites
shielded and defended by inlolerant DOW.
er, letno man bow the knee to god his
soul cannot respect. Faithfulness to the
truth delivered US Is the measure Of true
manhood.
Among many other things he said on
this point, was this remark, viz: that
dollhouse Christianity is at discount In
these days. A religion is needed that will
grow elsewhere than In church conserya.
tories. Fruits, not professions, lives. not
creeds, are what men are testing to-day,
The endless repetition of trite phrases,
and the lntolerant maintenance OF effete
dogmas can no longer be substituted for
practical godliness. Sentimental religion
processes ardent love for Christ. Heroic
religion keeps his commandments, The
religion that is to save and regenerate this
world will pay its debts and will not put
all the big strawberries at the top, and ali
the little ones at the bottom. A little oil
this sort OF religion would be greatly
relished nowadays.
Another thought upon which he dwelt
at some length was the invincibility oil
true men. The Chaldeau monarch
could burn men, but he could not con.
quGr the three Hebrews. Cities can be
conquered, but MAN evermore needing
the voice Of God in his soul, is uncon2
querable. OF this truth he gave several
historic ations-viz-Eliish rebuk-
ing the wicked Ahab Tor his sin; Poly
carp refusing to recant when tied to the
stake; Savanarola, the Florentine martyr,
Indignantly rejecting the proftered cardi.
nails hat; John Bunyan suffering for con.
science sake. He insisted strongly that
goodness is an uncomfortable quality,
living and walking the earth like an
angel Of light long after the martyr fires
have ceased to blaze.
The closing portion Of the lecture was
devoted to an earnest appeal 10 all, es-
peclOlly young men, 10 live lives O!
fidelity, honor and love. He ventured
the prophecy that race Of men would
one day dwell upon this globe rejecting
the glories Of the invisible God, rich in |
all the qualities that render Him the
righliul Sovereign Of the universe,