The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1878-03-02
RELIGIOUS COLUMN.
Edited by the Rev. T. j. Housh.

EuNcu ny the hti. L. ~ HOuSu.
SYNOPSIS Of a sermon recently deliver
cd in this city 10y Rev. I. J. Hough, Gu
the subject Of
Proat aNI Loss.
"For what shall it profit man if he
shall gain the whole world and lose his
own sou? Or what shall man give in
exchange for his soul::'
Jesus and !s disciples were visiting
thH towns of C">ari" philippi, and as
they journey along he asked of them,
"Whom do men say that 'am?' They
unanimously agreed that 'som- said he
was John the baptist, others said he was
Elias while yet another class thought he
was one of the prophctS.'
This seems to have satisfied the Saviour
as to what men said of him. but as these
disciples were to be the teachers of his
doctrine, and being thus more directly
interested in knowing the same, he makes
his inquiry more pointed and direct.
"But whom say ye that am - and Pc
ter (who seems to have been spokesman
answered and saith unto him "Thou art
the Christi From this the Son of God
saw that his character was understood by
his chosen followers.
And as they journcyed along from town
to town Jesus began to teach them the
great and important truths concerning
his spiritual kingdom, telling them that
he should suffer many things, be rejected
of the Elders and of the Chief Priests and
Scribes, and be killed, and after three
days rise again. Jesus then called the
mixed multitude to him and said "Who-
sover will come unto me, let him deny
himself and take up his cross and follow
me,' thus showing that his religion was
one of self denial, yea more than ever
denying ourselves, it is cross bearing re
ligion, and if we plead for tho crown We
must 90 by the way Of the cross,
He further declared that ''whosoevo7
shall save his life,' that is save it by de
nying Christ and thereby avoid the storm
ofpersecution everywhere arising so tina
his life might be prolonged shall los,
it; shall die a spiritual and eternal dealt
that only valuable immortal part of man
the soul shall die. But whatsoever shall
lose his life for my sake, and the Cos
pel's, shall save it, that is if you los
your lite for my sake by sword or guillo
tine you shall really save it by Twin!
with me in the realms of eternal bliss.
Now the Saviour entorccs these CRANE
truths by the proposition contained il
our text, "Tor what shall itprotit a mai
if he shall gain the whole world and los
his own soul' or what shall a man Civ
in exchange tor his soul I"
He also rebukes the timidity Of thos
who shrink from christian duty before
frowning world; "whosoover therefor
shall be ashamed of me ana of my word
in this adulterous and sinful generation
of him also shall the Son of man be asha
med when he cometh in the glory of hi
Father, with the Holy angels" HOY
many who profess to believe in Christ
yea and to be his followers and are at til
same time ashamed to own him in tn
presence of the infidel let such fear les
l when the shining army of Heaven shall
fill the air, and Christ shall appear in a
his splendor and glory, he will be ashan
ed to own such cowardly professors
!, "Many will say Lord, Lord, but He wi
5 say know ye not" only own such q
s owned and confessed me before tho worlt
; Jesus and shall it ever be
y A mortal man ashamed Of thee,
8 Ashamed of thee whom angels praise,
0 Whose gIories shine through endless days
Ashamed of Jesus that dear friend,
On whom my hopes of Heaven depend ?
, No; when blush be this my shame,
That no longer revere his name.
Our congregations are generally large
ly composed of mercantile men an
tradesmen; you are used to trade an
traffic, barter and exchange, you are az
}quainted with Profit. and Loss, you max
g calculations reaching far into the future
y and you calculate what such and such el
h terprise will profit you, and at the sam
time you take into consideration, wha
n you must give up or lose in one dire
t, ton in order to win the coveted prize
v another direction.
l. Every man has the world with all
J, its varied beauty, wealth, honor and fan
: before him, and if he has the desire, Il
n enterprise, the will, the wisdom he ma
a gain the same.
l. Are you fond Of money : there are qua
y titles of crude gold in the bosom of tt
% earth, and millions of coin ready for ci
IS culation.
Arc you of mercantile turn of mint
IT the trade of the world opens up befo
:" you, there are precious metals, cloths al
. wares of every kind, and slips sailing
aud from every shore bearing on the b
som of the great deep the commerce
% the nation.
"a Are you of a political turn of mind ?
" There are crowns to be worn, Offices LIE
islative, Executive and Judicial to be
led.