Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-06-09
CLAIMS OF RELIGION.
BEcCALAUREATE SERMON BY REV.
IT. MCCLURE, D, D,
Al the United Presbyterian Church, Yes
terday, to the Graduating Class Of
Wheeling Female College.

-
IL Is al important 10 have a fixed pur-
nose. Among the many objects pre-
ssnted st such a time there is none more
worthy of our most earnest and careful
consideration than that involved in the
EXPRESSION, ''The claims Of religion
Relieving that this theme is not only
snitrd 70 the circumstances Of those who
ar, especially addressed, but is profit
abe Tor the consideration of all, both
old ana Young, it has been selected for
consideration az this time. ..s
In this agc OF reading and reflection,
clear ideas are Justly demanded; and
ths. this demand may be fairly met, We
must in the outset clearly define the
terms used in the caption Of our theme.
The term rsljgJa is used in its evan
earcal sense, and is the name o, the
b1rd tha, unitcS us TO God. In other
wor.is, religion IS our union with God.
THIS comprehensive definition embraces
the following important points.
I. Our belief in the existence Of God
as n, has revealed himself both in his
works and in his word; as infinite,
e,srr9l and Interchangeable in every At
tribute and perfection; as Father. Son
an Holy Ghost, one God.
;. Ourreccption OF the Bible as the
suarme role of faith and practice.
g. our consciousness al sin and our
reception ut Christ as our RydGemcr,
ami the spirit as our penance and
Sanr.tyr.
4 our iull and entire conservation 10
Col of an that We are and all that we
have. aud our determination, In the
strength oi promised grace, % spend
an De spentin his service.
3 Our possession Of the grIces OF the
sp,r.tIu our souls and our experience OF
th, hope aud confidence of our safety
I'm heaven forever.
In word love supreme 10 Cod AMI
L0-i pure and uuScliish % man, given
bv col. directed by His word, and cxcr-
cis,.l constantly Is the heart and lie Of
evangelical religion. That love is the
mOsve power that leads the Christian
to discharge the duties and ENJOY the
privileges placed before him in the word
Diced This i'm brief, is what is under
s'ol. tn be meant by the religion, Is
used i'm this connection. This Is the
religion the claims Ol which are 70 be
presented.
I'm presenting these claims /. must be
borne in mind that this religion Is CN-
ere ,'ug.y comprehensive, covering all
the "details Ui our lives dud reaching from
its beginning I'm our hearts i'm this world
aEIv through the underlined hereafter
thar laws beyond the boundaries OF our
earthly existence. Now if il can be
shown that this religion has an all inn
r1~,lut influence on our lives in al. the
various relations and positions that we
sustain AMI occupy IN this world, that
its influence is always for good and
never ilr evil, ami that 10 Is the only
wlv revealed by God I'm which the hap
uiue,- OF the soul can be secured etcr-
ual,v. 10 will necessarily follow that It's
claims are paramount % an things else;
that they cannot bc resisted on the
gr unds0f logical reasoning but only by
On. uuwil.u-ugsSO %, tac heart 20 receive
them. Our various positions and rp.a
ton, are all embraced under the follow
iu- heals. viz. The person, the family,
society, the nation aud the world, and
Don each of these religion Is a prime
uerrsS,fv, and the uUrer aud more evan
gaHcll tine religion Is, the better viii be
10, influence
Religion is necessary first Of all 20 the
Individual. What Is necessary on the
part Yt the individual man or woman in
order to the exercise Of right personal
thoughts, vulitIous and actions?
knowledge of truth, sound principles,
am correct habits. But these are Just
what our religion insists ON. TO rcuucs
AMI enables It's pOsScSsOr, giving the
trJ. dignity of true manhood to the
man. and the beauty and grace ut true
wuuduuJod % the woman. We must
has. the elements Of happiness within
ourselves. ir al the most promising sur
wIDlu-S cannot place them tuCr2.
The persona. heart must De 40 peace
AMI u. right with Good, or uu true conn
Tort ami happiness can be enjoyed The
power of u.igIOu must bc brought 20
h.Ir with u- Individually before We can
uIEr uaagr with Gud. or De prepared Tor
the duties JUi privileges of E.r. And
a, -.r.orv is made mp of Individuals, 30
On. character of thr persons as such
must affect an other relations. Man
WAS only permitted tu live 10y himself
even ll Paradise, long enough for HIM
On learn ,hc important lesson that "it Is
u.. good 'Hr ww tu %" alone. Let rs
therefore look no the claims Of religion.
rs they bear ON our domestic IT,
a-uu-. The family is the first and
most important Of an our relations in
this world Two or more persons may
constitute family. and be- ~uiuJIWutgIy
relate, tr each other that they
Ut ike the members qf the
ug.y, when 10 oue member suffers
t.E a.l suffer with it As then
"r highest interests are involved n
THIS relation wp should examine 10
VII. corresponding care and attention.
I.. nearest approach that we can make
n Oh. perfect happiness ~ heaven, m
On, world. is iu our families. and Il the
relation bee perverted and abused It viii
E...ia measure of woe oLcurrcspOndIUg
Intensity.
NNd'r LNrO, rs necessary IN oruer 10
constitute "a perfectly well regulated
HW.E. / lwil. answer this very impor-
u1- question hy presenting the general
elements necessary iu detail.
I. Affection is necessary. Without
liaS 'ar relation of parents and children
heromcs q grievous burden, aud that of
husband and wife a he'll on earth. But
sAlguGyj natural affection Is an esSen-
l.1I element Of evangelical religion.
Hose without natural affection are de
A.Iured as unworthy of the Kingdom
oiHui.
g A just regard iOr thc rights ui all
PART, Of the family. and an intelligent
,crs'auliu. oi those rights.
,.' The wise and prudent exercise Of
discipline toward our children. a
enid .rit 90 himsc,ihriuccth his mother
o. shame"
b. Diligence and prudence in proyid-
NS Tor those dependent on us, as we'll
- '5r ourselves Iii any provide not