Connecticut western news., 1879-05-07
The Pulpit.
ADVICE TO YOUNG MEN-FRoM SERMON
 BY REV. DIR. JOHN HALL.


 ADVICE TO YOUNG MEN-FRoM A SERMON
 BY REV. DIR. JOHN HALL.
 Rev. Dr. John Hall preached from the text contained in Ecclesiastes, xiii, l." Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when | thou shalt say, have no pleasure in | them" Dr. Hall introduced the sub- iect by dwelling upon the importance of the first training and education of youth, considering that the tastes and habits contracted in youth were most likely to remain with us for life. The trouble in after life, in the days which were spoken of in the text as "evil," was that it was always much more difficult to accept new impressions and adopt better course of life, such as might easily have been fixed upon in the days of youth. Dr. Hall at some length analysed the text, and, speaking of the Creator, said that even the adoption of the evolution theory did not ref ute His existence, for conceding that men sprung and were de- veloped from mere germs, the question was still, "Who put that spark of life in the germ which has developed into man?" Science had done some good, but it had not refuted the existence of the Creator. He had claims upon all, and it was impossible to conceive of Him without conceding that He had the greatest claims upon all. Jehovah ac- cepted the greatest responsibilities for
 the acts of His creatures, and it was
 therefore said, Remember thy Gre
 ator."
 He has made us, said Dr. Hall, the
 light of reason, He has given us the
 He is just, He is true, He is good. He
 has not only claims upon our love and
 gratitude, but also upon our conscience
 and our justice, from the point of view
 of retribution.
 What are the things to be remembered
 with reference to the Creator. In the
 first place, His law. Men knew His
 disposition and will, as reflected by His
 word. Remember this-the law of God
 and the word of God had secured salva-
 tion. They had the strongest reason to
 love God, and this love was the best in centive for obeying His word. "I love
 Him because He saved me, and because love Him will obey His word "-let this be your abiding motto, and to you1 teachers and guides you will be docile ' and attentive, to those less fortunately situated than you you will exercise kind ness and forbearance, and to God you will be true and faithful. Gain forgo these principles and became malicious and envious, and finally murderer The family of Lot forgot them, and thu result was disgrace and ruin. Thou sands forget them now, for there were great many inducements tempting mel to forget God. Society, pleasures, th hope of gain and thousand othe l temptations beset the believer who trie, to do his duty by God. The devil trie, l to induce men to drug his victims il 5 order that he might deprive them of tn l eternal life. Take care that nothing 5 should become temptation to forge God.
 5 The habitual affection and the con 7 stant, submissive remembrance of God l which was the great thing to be desired was best acquired in youth. First lear 3 all about the Creator from His Word , with its distinct and articulate testimon ) as to the salvation of mankind by Jesu 3 Christ. As you learn Gods will do il 5 If man had a sum of money and put out at interest it must increase so l man, if learning the principles of right 3 at the same time carried them out, h earned interest, as it were, on his ir l vestment. Early take your place at tn table of God and consecrate yourself f His service. Garry yourself, with you } hopes and thoughts and associations, l the side of Christ. But memory t treacherous, and just as banker had have books to keep his accounts, so Go had provided stimulant to the memor F in Gods ministrations, Gods sacrament and Gods day. And, my dear youn l friends, he who is giving you this ad . vice is not trying to be stern mentor 3 but he loves and pities you, and fro1 l this very love and pity this appeal fo 3 Him is now made to you, Remembe l now thy Creator in the days of tn = youth"