The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-01-14

IL
many things contrary to Jesus Of
Nazareth, but the regenersted man,
preaching the faith he once sought to !
destroy. Moralists have treated the
subject at length and preachers must
not evsde it. 1t is fearful thing TO
live, and grand as fearful. The wise
study TO retrench the evils of this life by
the conclusions OF philosophers. Fools
multiply them by the rites OF supersu-
ton. But Christianity rises superior to
either in correcting the source OF evil
and requiring perfect conformity 10
Christ, our model.
That SIN is mate is proved by Its de-
velopment in the stages OF life. There is
a period of which memory retains no
record, but observation shows 1t to be
full OF psins and penalties due to others
trsnsgressions. transmitted as positively
as though they came from Adam a. one
bound instead of many. Reason dawns
chained IN passions and perversions, and
is contested in every act OF
discipline, AID shattered age Is too
much eugrussed in nursing its ills, to
give heed to the admonitions OF reason.
Hence the law says that grace may
make alive, new creature In Christ to
exemplify the gifts aud calling OF God.
An English poet sang:
"Who breathes, must suffer, and who
thinks, must mourn, 49,.
And he alone is blest, who ne'er was born"
But the angels sang different refrain
in announcing the Redeemer's advent,
and He, 10 pronouncing the Bestitudes,
uttered far different sentiments from this
sententious poet.
Human life has many sombre aspects,
it is true, and many triiing ones also.
$50 we'll live,
And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, aud
laugh
At giided butterflies. And We'll hear poor
rOgues
Talk OF court views and we ii taIR Win
them, too,
And take upon us the mystery of things,
AS IL we were Gods spies. And We'll wear
out
That ebb and flow by the moon"
-ShdkesDcdre.
Reason has grand conclusions, but
they are rarely reached by human effort
alone. This lie is short, and to spend 1t
basely is foolish. To assist this weak
ness, Revelation has furnished lamp to
illumine the way, and grace provides the
ransom. That whoever believes may be
saved; that the dead may live, and man
glorify his God, now and forever. What
hinders then, that we walk not IS Paul
walked. nor live rs Paul liveof Jesus
answers, Eye will not come unto Me ter
this lie" Let inhdels scott and object
ors csvl, but lite and immortality are
brought 10 light, and are received on
terms otgsimple faith only.
CHAPLINE STREET NJ. K. CHURCH.
Rev. w. c. Snodgrsss, pastor, delivered
a sermon at 1890 A. NJ. on Matthew 5:l6,
"Let your light so shine before men that
they may see your good works and glori-
fy your Father who is in Heaven
Man begins life at the bottom. He
knows nothing, and is next to nobody.
In tact he is only possibility. Five
avenues OF knowledge are open 20 him.
All are important, but sight /, probably
of most practical advantage in the de-
velopment OF mind. Sight Is the vehicle
which brings in knowledge by the eye.
The Church is means OF Illuminating
the world with moral ideas. Jesus says:
aye are the light OF the world" which
is equivalent TO, "Ye are the medium
through and by which the world obtains
a knowledge OF spiritual things"
The light.give must first receive the
light himself A Christian without the
light of Gods grace in his heart is like a
lantern destitute OF oil or candle. The
Christian reflects the light which Christ
gives him ss the moon reflects the sun
rsys. A better idea Is that
of candle used in this con-
nection by the Great Preacher. 1t must
first be lighted, but afterwards 1t con-
tinues to be luminous body by an en-
ergy OF its own. So the Christian can
only keep burning the light within him
by constant effort.
The light must not be hidden; it is to
"shine before men," OF what value
could it be if carefully covered from OBJ
a covered light, because 1t
is not trimmed, will soon becsme dim,
and will At last cease TO shine altogether.
The poorest paid Christian is the one
who covers his light from the gaze OF the
world. He labors little, subscribes 3
little, may be persecuted a little, but has
none of the rewards o, success,
No one can perform the duty OF an
other. God deals with persons, religion
and religious influences, duty and desti.
ny and personal matters.
How shall we let our lights sinner |
In many ways-notably by being con-
slant and positive. By positive | dc |
not mean stubborn and opInionatei, but
active and energetic.
The motive in letting our lights shine
should be not personal honor or sggrsn-
iisement, but the glory Of God. Oar
works are to be in the light of men, ana
are to be seen OF them, not for our prs SO,
Dut that they may be led TO glority God
BY lives improved and purified by tie
grace OF God.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN.
Tho Ray ID A Gunninpham ID ID,