New-York tribune., 1874-08-03
TILE CONSCIOUSNESS OF SIN.

TIE Rev. Dr. Murray me Briek tPr''5yerian Church.
On the occasion Of the reopening OF the Brlck
church Presbyterisn Fifh-aye and Tbirtyseyenth-St
Yesterday the Rev. Dr. Murray selected his text from
Psalm cxxxix. %, %: search me, o Cod ana Kno"
my heart; try me, and know my thoughts"
The Psalms OF David said the preacher, breathe with
every DAYS affairs and with every days temptations,
ana though the Christian Church finds itself In new
atmosphere and among new surroundings the Psalms
Of David the shepherd youth the soldier the King the
pentent and the prophet are just as appropriate now
they then. The text that closes the 5l5t Psan
il that OF consciousness or sin. once he would have
scorned the thought of such fall as that in
the 6lst Psalm suggests T. IL In snch
view as this that the object of this petition
wish to suggest some reasons why every o1s sn9it
to know what is human nature and this Is TO certain
extent true Many tell persons character Oy DIS
physognomy by the expression, fbe glance OF his eye
and by his voice. Some men have written works on
geography who have not creeks within few miles
OF their homes Bat how many possess knowledge OF
their character and tendencies. Proud men are I'M
consciously proud. selfish, avaricious and evil
minded. Men uncOnsciOusy give way tO their besetuug
sin that OyerpOwers them. They say tnat IL Is true Dut
after all they are only occasionally under ls Influence
These some Of the excuses given But how IS man
to know the real strength OF his evil tendencies He Is
forbidden to test his strength by placing himself Ia the
way OF empalon for the prayer Is Lead Us not INTO
tenpta There Is resort, and that Is self
examination. No soul that longs to be a perfect
character will not examine ITSELF. But even IN
determination the soul IS often bafilcd, ana
every one knows how dense and intricate Is tue
experiment Therefore we should always say VIZ, VIII
the Psalmist, Try me, God, and know my neari.'
God can and does use many means for tins. no can
Sickness adversely. bereavement and other severe
trials to bring to know himself 81 can know no
but by the law said OF the leaders o tie early
Church think that many will confess that their good
the goodness OF circumstances ana not OF tAe
nature. Some believe IN the tOta, dcprayty or man,
aud others believe that perfect education
will make perfect, as II eighteen cehtu-
OF civilization render tie human rlce perfect
None ~ fully conscious OF our faults. We are uu-
OF pride that hardens our hearts or ot our
seirshness that renders soul caou5 CONSCIOUSNESS
OF sin is 10 make the SIN any more tha
consciousness OF good Is necessary to make the moral
act. When "a UNCONSCIOUS or goOI, thAt
IS the highest goodness. No strives against
unconscious SINS; since every man must gay he
commits sinful acts UncODsciOusy, how need
iul is this prayer, Search he, God,
ard know heart" And II . 50 that we como 10 see
t1at sucn prayer is the test Or character when we
look God ought to calculate what may be involved
revelation OF sin, 10 We may stand a-h&st
ana shrink when our seliisAness our 9Varlce,
our wickedness, suddenly brought up before us. God
may best give us trouble, adversely 10 make II
dark around and above Us. But while prosperity may
mlscad ana harden ~, adyersity shows WHAT We
made Of AIyer-ity make our hearts bleed and
drJ the sOuri over our Leads.