The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-02
HANSON PLACE BAPTIST CHURCH.

The Peril OF Dishonesty i'm Dealing
with God-Thc Story OF Ananias and
Snpphira-sermOn by Row. Justin ID.
Fulton.
Hanson place Baptist church was attended yes
terday morning by large congregation. The
ceremony OF baptism was administered alter the
sermon. Rev. Mr.. Fulton chose his text from the
fifth chapter OF Acts. third and fourth verses
"But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filed
thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep
back part OF the price of the land While it re-
manned was 1t not thine own and after 1t was
sold was it not in thine own power Why hast
thou conceived this thing in thine heart Thou
hast not lied unto men. but unto God" 1t was
critical moment in the history OF the Chris
tian profession could She devil be allowed
to wear the garments of Christ Ananias
attempted to rob God. Let US reread the story in
light Of the truth that God is Interchangeable.
Ananas was without doubt minister OF the
world it has been thought that he was one OF the
100. Barnabas was one OF great faith, and he be-
lieved that God would take better care OF him than
he could himself He laid his money at the aDos-
ties feet and said, t is yours; take all you need"
Ananlas desired to share his reputation without
Satan filed thine heart to lie TO the Holy Ghost and
to keep back part of the price OF the landY While
it remained was 1t not thine own, and alter 1t was
sold was 1t not in thine own powerf Why hast
thou conceived this thing in thine heartf Thou
hast not lied unto men, but unto God" 1t Is
perilous to be dishonest in dealing with God.
pray for the Holy Spirit to bring this truth home
to our hearts The question was not decided.
Ananias not afraid to deal with God as he
would not dare to deal with men. AnanIas believed
1t safe to
Ananias, standing before the people, after ST.
Peter had rebuked him, did not confess: He acted
wife; am safe. Can the Holy Spirit make an im-
preston on Peters mind which 1t would be safe
TO ioow~ Ananias did not believe IN God; he
known. But the power Of the Holy Ghost helped
Peter to know Ananlas; he loved the favor OF men
more than OF Cod seem to see him. He wanted
the same reputation as Barnabas; so he goes and
sells his land. making great noise about it, say
price before the apostle, who rebukes him for
| lying.
| was doing business for God, and all the money be-
| lOnged to God, and he would Keep 1t sacred. In
| our times we talk as IL every second man was
scoundrel, but this Is not so; there are hosts OF
true, trustworthy, honest, loyal men. Ananias,
standing, stolid, before the apostle, is suddenly
struck down; he loved men more than God; he
could keep his money from God, but ne could not
keep back his soul, and three hours after when he
nad been zee, buried his WIFE came and Peter said,
"And did you sell the land for much9" II she had
| said no, she would have helped the Lord and be-
| trayed her husband, but like many women, she
feared her husband, who was near, more than her
! God, who was far OF, and she said, eyes, for so
much" 1t was terrible moment,
You say this is a queer subject to set forth to
bring money out OF people, but ! believe Goa
meant me to talk to you, not appeal.
And Peter said, "How is 1t that We have agreed
! together to tempt the Spirit OF the Lord Denold
the feet OF them which have buried thy husband
are at the door and shall carry thee out. Lnen
fell she down straghtway att his feet ana y,eioed
| up the ghost; and the Young men came IN anu an !,
! found her dead and carrying her Iortn' purieo
The first Thought is that Satan knew his man.
He had tried the 100 ministers, and there was only
| this one who fell. -. ...
about that one apostle who betrayed Jesus but
| we don't think Of the eleven VINO were true.
! Ananias was rebuked for his shortslghtcdness.
| There are others who forget they are doing bnsi-