Middletown transcript., 1875-02-20
Moral and Religious Duties
Extract from Sermon preached by
Rev. DR.. John Patton, of the Forest
PRESBYTERIAN Church of Middletown,
Sunday Feb. 18th, 1875.

1
Presbyterian Church Of Middletown,
Sunday Feb. 14th, 1875.
| sFinally, brethren, whatsoever things are
true, whatsoever things are honest, whatso-
ever things are just, whatsoever things are
pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatso-
ever things are of good report: it there ne
| any virtue, and if there be any praise, think
| on these things" Philippians w. g..
The passage is a comprehensive sum-
mary Of duties incumbent upon man.
1t groups together in very small space
number of indispensable traits OF
character. It presents fair picture
of what every man should be, and Of
what every christian man is erpected to
be. The grand end of the religion of
the Gospel is to exert Transforming
power upon the character of the lndl-
vidual, rendering him obedient, pure.
happy and safe and, SO far as it ac-
complishes this, it is of priceless value.
1t gives to the man who cordially en-
braces it fair standing in the eyes Of
the Lord. The character, modelled ac-
cording to its requirement, will ever be
acceptable in the divine sight, and will
be delivered from all ground of appre-
hension in that day which will try every
mans work what sort it is.
Whatsoever things are true" Truth
is the representation of things as they
are. This is proper definition Of the
term in the entire range of its applica-
tien, whether applied to science, to pol
itics, to morals, or to religion. There
ought to be on the part Of all, whether
old or young, whether belonging to the
church or to the world, an earnest aux
iety to understand and utter the truth.
We should be Jealous for the truth in
matters of religion. Men are sanctifed
BY truth, not by errer 1t is easy to
ascertain it by applying to the legitl-
mate foundation. The spirit will guide
in the way of all truth. All men
should adhere rigidly to truth as op-
posed to falsehood. They should care
fully regard it in making statements in
narrating events; in speaking of others
as friends, as opponents, as rivals, or
as political enemies; in giving descrlp-
tions, so as not to overdraw or exag-
gerate, or use extravagant phrase
Many persons abhor lying, yet form
the habit Of using superlatives, SO that
people always listen with allowance.
Especially should men be true in keep
ing promises and fulfilling engagements.
"WHATsoEvER THINGS ARE HONEST. "
This word has a shade Of meaning diff
ferent from what we commonly attach
to it. 1t is more properly used in the
sense Of venerable, reputable, honorable.
1t was applied by the ancients to their
gods, and conveyed the idea Of vensra-
ton. Paul uses it to denote gravity Of
Observation-Disclosures must the dea.
cons be grave" l Tim III, 81 It will
include whatever may be regarded as
worthy Of reputation or Of honor, and
while it may relate to whatever is righ'
in the transaction of business, it also
embraces much more, and implies thai
the christian is to show respect where.
ever it is due-to age,to station, to in'
fluence, to lawful customs He is tt
be appreciative of what is worthy o
being appreciated. and study carefully
to be above all m,eanness.
| "WHATsoEvER THINGS ARE JUST.
In our relation to God, this term de-
notes the same as being justified, or ap
proved in his sight. In our relation
ship to our fellow men it implies th'
doing Of what is right between man ant
man. The world is full of injustice
1t is manifested in the form Of theft
fraud, deceit, oppression, violence. rob
! berry. But the injunction Of the Cos
pei is that every man, and especial.
every christian man, should counterac
and avoid these evils, by maintaining
in face of them an undisguissd and un
swerving integrity The notorious ant
widespread dishonesty Of the times
public and private. is becoming abso
lutely frightful, and calls for careful
thoughtfulness Whatsoever thing
are Just think on these things.
Society is made up of individuals
These individuals maintain different po
sitions. They are engaged in differen
occupations. They sustain to eacl
other various relations with their recip
rocal duties and dependencies. But il
all these that one trait of Justice shoul
, be made to stand forth with such con
spicuous prominence as to be seen an
read of all men. We will consider
, few of these by way of illustration. Fo
7 instance
The MINISTER is always expected
} and ought, to be just to his people. II
!, must with all due fidelity preach th
> word, instruct, counsel, comfort, warn
| rebuke, encourage, and be an unde
; shepherd, an overseer of the flock
watching for souls, an ensample, carin
, for his people, administering the ordi
: nances, visiting the sick and buryin
their dead On the other hand. th