Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1880-08-31


sense of shame has departed, the wall of
his ill-treated wife, .paternal intreaty, and
the sym 2ethy of friends have lost their
effect on his conscience. He has exchang-
the affection and coartly grace Of hus,
band for the evil temper and the curses of
demon. And, my brethren, these are
not the exceptions. There are young men
and old men in every relation in life being.
constantly wrecked at this point Of peril
and treachery. Am talking to any to-
night whose secret habits are pressing them
on to the verge of this deceptive chasm. If
so, sound the signal of alarm in your
ears. If onward still you move, there is
danger Just before you. 1t is coming like
the stealthy thief at just such an hour as you
think not.
But we need not stop with intemperance;
there are otherpoints of treachery and danger
along this uncertain line oftravel, at which
life and moral character are hopelessly
wrecked. There are gambling, dishonesty,
sel6shness and adultry, and evil communi-
cations of every grade. How fearful aud
heart rending are the moral catastrophes
that burst upon society at these places of
unexpected peril. The carcasses of the
dead and sorely wounded i'll spirit are scat
| tered from one end of lite's railway to the
other How careful we are to prepare for
our journeys from place to place in this
natural life. But how little preparation do
we make for the Journey through this I'M
certain existence to eternity. No engineer
ever swept with greater speed over the
fatal bridge at Armstrong; crossing than
do the children of men in their passage to
the grave. No warning seems to alarm
them, no danger excites their apprehension.
Year after year they go with accelerated
velocity pell nell into eternity. And yet
the Journey upon which they are desper>
ately sweeping is final in its termination.
No station passed Can ever be recalled. Oh,
the treachery of lifes temptations and the
irrevocable issues they involved Well
might the angles weep as they cast their
gaze in silent wonder and establishment
upon the fatal structures over which that
car of human destiny is sweeping. Can
these dangers be ayerted! Yes! Call into
reuuisition that self>restraint, and humility,
and godly vigilance as taught by Jesus
Christ, and every bridge along the track Of
life can be safely crossed. There need be
no schocking catastrophes. But one other
thought and am done.
ii. The amazing uncertainty Of this
life. We know not what an hour may
bring forth. Right in the midst of life
we are in death. Providence has ten
thousand ways to call US from this sphere
of existance. When We lie down at night
to take our accustomed repcse, we know
not but that our couch may prove our tomb
/ IL. r Il. y.
tant journey we assume the risk OF never
returning.
death rides on every passing breeze
And turks in every flower"
Like the wary-thief, he comes at an hour
when, and place where, we least expect
him. This very night our physical house
may be broken into and our goods des-
troyed. -
In such an hour as ye think not the Son
of Man cometh. How forcibly is this
thought illustrated by the unexpected dis
aster at Armstrong; crossing. Without q
moments warning those coaches, with theil
cargo of human freight were hurled into the
chasm of danger and death. Therefore
the important duty of the hour is to watch
and be We also ready. Life is the gift o
an intelligent purpose. 1t is fraught with
: grave responsibilities. Eternal vigilance
and soberiety are indispensable to its mora
well-doing and success. uureseryed con
secration to the call efduty and rational con
victions is the only path of safety and secu
rity. Wise and happy, therefore is the mar
whose ambition and capacities are devoted
to the accomplishment of such noble end
and purposes. His one chief object is thl
glory of God and usefulness to his fellow
in his day and generation. Like the sol
der in hostile country, where constan
dangers abound, he spends his DAYS as
wise and prsdent man, and at night h
sleeps upon his arms with his face TOWARD
the foe. At any watch in the night he i
ready and eager for the fray. Death cal
not take him unawares. He is always OIL
d the alert for the summons. His motto is
"Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.
Like the wise virgins, his lamps always re
plenished, we'll trimmed and ready 70
BURNING. If death comes like the thief il
the night, he is fully prepared to 60 out am
meet him.
Such life is under the guidence Of
experimenting Providence. 1t placed a
heavens disposal. He looks forward witt
hope and pleasing anticipation to the end Q
!, his journey. oh for such an experiec
as this
But, my friends, with US ALL the car o
, life upon which we are travelling is rap
idly approaching its destination. The las
bridge will soon be crossed, the last station
left in the distance. The engine is dashinI
forward witha full head of steam. Onwar
we move with desperate energy and exceler
ated speed. The spires ofths city, bathe'
in the spray of sun lit a splendor, are in flu
view. They that have already arrived ar
bending over the battlements to greet us
With shout of welcome. And God gran
that when the brakes of life are whiStle(
down, and the engine is reversed, that W
may all find happy reunion with our de
parted loved ones at the Grand Contra
Junction ofeternal repose!
SUMNER HEAT.-This is the season
for RnWall ComnlainIs Graen ennIe