Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-08-30
The Things Of This World.
SERMON BY REV. JNO. E. MASSEY ON THE
DELUsION THAT MAN 'S,LIFE CONSISTS IN


PossEssEs--AN INTERESTING DISCOURSE
&C., &C., &c.
There were two occupants of the pulpit
at the Baptist church Sunday morning in
the absence of the pastor, Rev. DIR. Man.
ly. One was the talented young licenti.
ate, Morgan Shott, who has often and ac
ceptably filled that pulpit, and the other
was the old original adjuster and candidate
for Congress in this district, Rev. John E.
Massey. Had it been generally known that
he was to preach there is little doubt the
house would have been crowded, as, besides
the curiosity to see a gentleman fill pull
pit one day and the political rostrum the
next, the reverend gentleman is a preach
er of ability and far above the average
ministerial speaker. He was dressed as he
is when addressing his constituents, ex-
cept that he had substituted the clerical
white tie for the black stock Of every day
life. Several strangers were in the audi
ence, attracted there by the expectation
that perhaps the sermon would be different
| from The general run of pulpit oratory. but
| they net with disappointment, the sermon
of Mr.. Massey being an orthordox and
earnest setting forth of Christian truths.
1t was, however, hard to realize Sunday
that the orator who spoke so earnestly and
appropriately on the gfaveSt subject that
| can be presented for mans consideration,
was the same who at the Charlottesville
h,1cf in ba1 lirbfnI an Jnrric AVID D.ul
in such rafting Way and met and defeat
ed the former on his favorite gsound-per-
sonal jokes. In opening the services Sum-
day morning Mr.. Massey prayed fervently
that we might not add to cur transgres-
slons by drawing nearer to Thee with ou1
lips, while our hearts are far from Thee
Mr.. Shott after giving out some OF the
usual church notices said that he would
preach that night, and that it was ''unne-
ceSsary to Introduce the we'll known gentle.
man who will address you this morning.
Mr.. Massey then took as his text the
section of the 18th verse of the 18th chap
ter of Luke, "For mans life consistent
not IN the abundance of the things which
he possesseth." He said that life was beau
tiful, even under great disadvantages and
with great blemishes, and there was no
phase OF it that did not present valuable
instruction. We study the eak and learn
of the strength v tn which it withstands
storms and defes tempests; we take rose
and it reminds us of the fragrance of
pure and spotless life; we go to the ant
~ hut
the study of a man. life is higher than all
these. But even that has not reached the
great height of its lesson until 1t is reno
waited by God, when, as st. Paul says it is
renewed into the image of God. For God
designed the life of man to be one of puri-
ty, holiness, perfection, and it was by the
fall that man lost this view of that design.
Looking around us now we see evidences
that men regard life as only a means
of temporary qualification, a time to be
spent in the qualification of carnal appe-
tites and lusts. They will admit that this
is not the great end of life, that their intel
lectual facilities alone distinguish them
from the brute creation, and should not be
prostituted, bnt they are frail and are east
ly bent by temptations. 1t is astonishing
to see them admitting that by their intel
lectual facilities alone can tnBg rise, and
yet allowing their animal appetites to
overcome them.
In our own circle of acquaintance are
presented sad cases Of this weakness-men
who have sunk beneath the notice, almost
beneath the contempt, of their friends by
such indulgence; insensible to self-respect,
to the love of friends, to the circumstances
of conscience, poWerless to help themselves
or to receive the help Of others. 1t is for
such that [ would plead-these men
fashioned after the image of God, now
lost to the power Of self-redemption. How
wretched, how miserable they must be!
But even for such outcasts as these there
is hope in Jesus. And Jesus only can save
such. The mistake We often make is in
trying to reclaim them without talking to
them Of Jesus. His blood only can cleanse.
Alas there are many who would be in
dignant ifyou whispered to them, 'sThere
lies your future course" Theig idea, you
will find, is that safety consists in abstain
ing from overindulgence in vices. They
take drink occasionally, they swear oc-
casionally, forgetting that these are the
first steps down the ladder. It is the first
step that'leads to the bottom round; it is
the first violation Of our sense of right that
leads in the end to total indifference. Step
NV tho moth 10 trad li,,I1L ,,i 4,
the chain is forged. So when man starts
in wrong direction there is no telling
where he will stop. l charge you to-day
to avoid the first step. Mans life consists
not in The abundance of the pleasures he
possesses, or in the qualification of his
appetites.
Christianity has the highest claim upon
a man. 1t does not require that other
claims shall be neglected, but it stands
highest. 1t does not take him from his
real pleasures. The pig that wallows in
the mire is as happy as his nature will al
low him to be. but it is not the happiness
Of intelligence. God requires that man
shall aim at something more than mere
happiness that he Shall have an aim.
have sometimes thought it was better for
a mau to have wrong aim than to have
no aim at ALTO start in wrong direction
rather than not start at all. The man with
the wrong start may be righted; there are
some hopes of him; but the man with no
purpose, aimless, there is little to be ex-
pected from. 1t is a solemn thought.
Like the young student, who, being asked
what his intentions for the future were,
said after he graduated he would adopt
a profession. "And then what?" said the
questioner. u suppose 1 shall succeed
like other men, 'sAnd then what?" II
shall grow old and die.'' s.And then