The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1877-07-26

patriotism and religion. He came to
the light by the slow steps which al
ways mark the progress of the true
scholar, and not by means of the vlo-
lent throes of Luther or an Angus
tine. 1t seems that both Zwingli and
Savonaro'a failed because they were
not satisfied with religious reform, but
carried their efforts into the realm OF
social ethics and state-craft. Had they
left the latter to grow by natural steps
from the former, their efforts would
not haYe ended il disaster and their
lives might have blessed their respec-
tive countries for longer periods than
was the case.
Many persons in the congregation say
they never hear the sermon. There is
no doubt truth in this statement. Many
go to church because it is customary :;
others because they have vague notion
that it is the proper thing to do; others
go to hear the music; Others because
others do. They may hear, now and
then, some startling statement, some
interesting anecdote, some beautiful
metaphor, some lmpassioned appeal !;
''merely this and nothing more" Yet
the negative influence of these inatten-
tive hearers is leaving its impression on
the pulpit. Short sermons of the SEN
satlOnal order are gotten up to gratlfy
these istless attendants on the worship
of God, while those who may be bun
gering for the bread OF life arc often
sent away unfed.
THE SoRRows OF THE TRAMPs.-
This world is full of sorrow. AS we
walk through any of our city parks
and see that the papers are daily call
ing attention to the fact-you cannot
fail TO notice the seats occupied by
men who have the taint of SIN about
them, the stamp of crime upon their
foreheads. Poor outcast tramps and
vagabondsl But 10. k upon them ten
derly. There was a time when the
kiss OF pure mother was pressed upon
their lips. As boys scme of them had
delightful homes and were reared in
an atmosphere of refinement and Cul-
ture. Some of them began life with
high hopes and noble aspirations, for
some of them Perchance mothers and
sisters yet pray. When the sun ligh 5
up their counren ancss they are Ike
living corpses, aud We think that cor
ruption is stalking broadcast among
US. But think of them kindly. Drunk
ards are they9 Let US thank God there
is time coming when there will be no
more drunkards. They bear heavy
burdens. They loathe themselves; they
hate the world, and are ready at times
to curse God and die. They know
their condition, and in their despera-
tion and misery they drink, drink,
drink themselves down to the grave.
Bless God, the time is coming when
this shall all pass away. The time is
coming when there shall be no more
light ending in darkness; no more
.nirth whose end is madness.
INDIVIDUAL PowER.-It is law of
the kingdom of grace that sinners
shall ue brought to Christ through the
individuality of the believer. This
law suggests the capacity for such
work and this capacity suggests the
lodgment of power for good and evil.
We recognize the possession Of this
two-fold power in every man, by call
ing some benefactors, by calling 9th
ers malefactors. Upon our benefactrrs
we confer honors. We embalm them
in song, record them in history, cast
them in bronze, sculpture them in
marble, and commemorate their deeds
by splendid mausoleums and colossal
monuments. And in doing this we
recognize the individuality of effort.
We single out some per3on who has
been foremost in the good work, and
upon him we lavish our richest praises.
We cannot admire men in groups
we speak Of Washington and his gen
erals, Lincoln and his cabinet, Gut
tenberg and his coadJutors. This in
divIdual power is Recognized in tke
fact that all history proves that all
favorable revolutions originate with
some one man, to whom GJd has given
a great thought; some John the Bap-
tist, far in advance of his age, clear
sighted and far-seeing standing on the
mount of vision, catching the frs;
rays Of the early morn of better day.
His psalm of life IS "Excelsior;" his
little sermon to mankind is "onward. Z"
The discovery of a new world was the
task of one man; Professionalism was
born in the heart of a solitary monk !;
the whole system OF modern science
may be traced back to the philosopher,
whose name is imperishzble; the
American revolution received its in
spiration from Patrick Henry; one man
is the author of our divine religion.
WurrEFIELD AND WEsLET.-White
field was soul; Wesley was system.
Whitetield was a summer cloud which
at morning or. at noon broke in rich
profusIon over a vast area aud took
the heat OF the day together again /;
Wesley WAS the polished conduit in
the midst Of the garden through which
the waters glided in peaTly brightness
and perennial music, the same stream
from day to day. After preaching
Whitsfeld lay painting on his couch,
spent, breathless and deathlike. Wes-
ley after o sermon would mount his
horse, chat aud chat and gather howers
till he reached the next country ham
let, when he would bait his charger,
talk little sermon through 70 the viii
layers and trot TO his next appoint
ment. In his aerial poise Whiteheld's
ceSic tyc oAouA lueSIc HUN boc 5OafCc
Of light and loved to dawn upon men
in assembled myriads; Wesley's fsl-
con glance did not sweep 50 far, but is
searched more keenly. A master OF
assemblies, Whitefieid was no match
for the isolated mka; bat strong IN ss-
gacity and personal ascendency, Wesley
c1uld conquer any number one BY one.
Whiteheld had no patience with eccle-
siAstical polity, bat. Wesley, with .
beaver Ike propensity for building,