The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1881-06-22
YOUTH AND BEAUTY
ON THE STAGE:
"A Feast of Reason!
THE INSPIRED ROAD TO
SUCCESS, AND THE gNEVE.
T A 3 LIE DO o N OF
WRONG PURPOSE.
Bacealaureate Sermon Besore Newberry Col
. lege Sunday, June 10, 1885, By Rev. J.
?. Smsltzsr, DID,, Of Walhalla, S. c.

invited Oy the SreSiaeut OF Ne"oeESy
College 10 address you upon this interesting
occasion, consented to perform the duty,
and am here to redeem that promise. The
subject sball present for your consideration
s is an important one, and trust you will
hear me patiently and prayerfully. Stand
ing on the threshold ola active life, it
would be well if you would listen to the ad-
u,oni.ions of truth. While my subject is
more particularly intended for you who will
soon be clothed with aeademical honors, it
may not be amiss for this large AUDIENCE
each and every one, to treasure mp and ap-
plS to their consciences the same solemn
truths.
Ny text is found in Romans, Ssh chapter.
and 3lst verse. It reads thus: "If God be
for US, Rhc can be against u.s." I might
discuss this theme: The certain road to
success; for who can fail if God IS On his
side. Or might take the converse, and
discuss The doom of wrong purpose; for
who can succeed, if God is against him.
ali the energy, zeals and determination
must eventually fail, ::fthey are exercised
lin opposition to Gods will and his moral
law. I will combine both ideas in this dis
eussion, and to the question Of the text,
give an inspired answer: eff God be for
]. Us, who can be against U.S." ''Neisher
death, nor life, nor angels, nor principali-
ties, nor powers, nor things present, nor
things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor
any other creature"
The true souiennobiing principle of pie
ty issupreme love to God, obedience to
his commands, and holy zeal in the pro-
motion of his cause This principle is not
impaired. but strengthened, by discovering
that the service of God is accompanied
with amazing privileges and benefits. The
true and successful, be, whom God assists
opens The book of inspiration. On one
page is promise which he contemplates
with delight; on another preeepS which
he finds precious to his soul. Here is g
truth that inspires him with holy fear,
cheers him in his earthly pilgrimage, and
makes his path 10 the tomb pleasant and
full of hope; and there promise that bids
him look hey ond this veil of tears, inspires
him with the hope of Heaven, and assures
him of eternal life. By one writer be is
promised Gods protective power, and ny
another the crown Of glory that never
fades. Paul urges him 10 lay hold on eter-
nal life by living faith; and John iufuen-
ces him to centre his best affec,ionS upon
the God of his salvation Thus in mind
and morals, the Bible becomes his bright
sun to dispel the mists of gloom and doubt;
his pillar of cloud by day and FIRE by night;
his pole.star in crossing the ocean OF life,
TO guide him to that eternal ..omised
in the great hereafter.
IF the mind, that immortal spark Of Di-
vinity, thrown back upon itself, be consult
ed, the same principle cheers him, the same
hopes console him, the same privileges and
benefits are peace to his soul. He has en-
braced the promises, he enjoys the consola-
tions of Gods Holy Law, and by fai,h has
applied to himself the atoning merits of
Christ He has the assurance that all things
work together for his good, that victory is
promised him through the Savior, and that
he will finally wear crown of glory and
robe of righteousness, for God was with him,
and who could be against him? Let US
contemplate fora short time the inspired road
to success, and the inevitable doom ofwroug
purpose. "If God be for rs, who can be
against us"? This scripture is true in
worldly affairs, and in high mental attain
ments, but it is emphstically true in morals,
in securing those treasures, valuable in time
but. most valuable in eternity; treasures
which the possessor will never reject, nor
can he ever lose; treasures which eye has
never seen, nor the ear heard, nor the heart
conceived; blessings dirnly seen through
metaphors in the inspired word, but worthy
the gift of the great God of the universe.
The Triune God has given man the sssur'
snee. in the covenant He made with him,
that He will defend him, grant him grace,
and give him the victory. Should inHuen.
ces arise to weaken his fsith in the plan of
salvation. to destroy his hopes OF Heaven
and Glory, to diminish his love for holiness
and truth he has promised for bis securl-
ts the Omnipotent protection of God, the
Father. Should influences arise, dissuadlng
him srom senlisting earnestly under the
banner Of the cross, opposing him in the
good 6ght Of faith. and preFenfing him from