National Republican., 1883-01-08
A RETROSPECT OF THE PAST.

INTERESTING SERMON DY HEY. F, W. WARD |
AT FOUNDRY CHURCH.
Despite the inclemcncy Of the weather,
there was a full attendance at Foundry church
yesterday morning. Tho pastor, Eov. W. 7.
Ward, preached sermon on u retrospect of
the past, taking his text from jeremiah, 9th
chapter, 9Th verse; "What have I done ?'
OF the varied impulses which distinguished
our common humanity, the preacher said,
there is none more ceasclcSs or potent than
that which prompts us TO look forward 60
and endcavor TO penetrate the shadowy
future. This tendency is seen in ovcry class
of society in every portion Of our globe. Man
everywhere and always longs to know tho
future. All his efforts in that direction, how
ever, are utterly vain and proitlcss We have
no organ of vision with which to penetrate
the veil. Standing where we do to-day upon
the threshold Of u new year, We may alX-
iUusly desire TO dive into and forecast its COM
ing developments; but these are hidden from
our view, and we know not what day may
bring forth. Tho preacher then showed
that the knowledge Of tho future by
man would bu u direct invasion
Of the divine glory, and disquality him alike
for present duty and enjoyment. Leaving
the future then in the hands of God, to whom
il properly belongs and who has every event
mapped out before His omniscicnt eye, and
has promised TO mako all things work to-
gethcr for good to them who love Him, let us
direct attention to the subject suggested by
the inquiry of the text, being a review Of the
past. This subject is always appropriate,
but nevcr moro so than ut the commence
mcnt of new YEAR My object at this
time, said the speaker, is to present II fcw mo.
lives which should induce every one present
ia look back upon his past history and ask,
"Nhat have / done? What have ldOno for
God, myself, and others" In tho tilSt place
would urge Won 10 make this review by the
NFf,tt ti,NN
tered above, aud will meet " again at the day
Offlna reckoning. The God Oithe Bible by no
means an indifferent spectator Of human con
duct, but constantly observes and preserves Il
faithful record of our lilc's history; that his
tory will be- in due time roproduCCd-repro-
duccd i'm order to he tried, aud tried to be mp
uruycd or condemned. God, we are told, will
- hriug every wor, into Judgment, with
every secret thing, whether it be good
or evil. Then, every thought Of the
mind, every emotion of the heart,
cvyry volition of the will, every act of the
life, will appear again and testify for or
against us. Anticipating this, it were wise
to taik with our past hours and ask them
what report they borne to the court above"
This is not only a time for happy greetings,
but also for rigid, thorough determination.
Let this examination be personal, and leave
To others the task of determining their own
work; and let IL also be thorough for, be as-
surrd that God will be very thorough with us
in the Judgment.
In the second place, | would urge you to
make this royiowby the fact that the past has
left its impression upon, and, 10 large eN-
tent, determined our present character God
declares in his word that whatsoever u man
sOweth that shall he also reap, and every in-
dividual before me to-day is rCNping the har-
vest of the seed sown in the years gone
Whatever exceptions there may be to tho
application Of this principle in temporal
affairs, and ] am Inclined TO believe
that the exceptions here are very few, there
can be none with regard TO its application tC
spiritual matters. The reverend speaker gave
various illustrations Of this principle, and
, proceeded to say that rs it has been in tn,
past SO it will be in the future. Each period
of life is probation for succeeding periods
and all would do well to begin the new yea
by renouncing sin in every form and unde
every possible modification.
Another motive, the preacher remarked
which should induce us to review the past, i
the influence which our past conduct has eN
erted and will continue to exert upon Others
"No man liveth unto himself.' Our word
and deeds affect others and are reproduced by
them, and in the past every one Of us ha
eXerted influence upon others, which shal
live long after We have gone.
"The smallest bark on lile's tumultuous ocean
VIII leave n track behind UrevormITe;
The ligl ts, wave Of influence set In moion
Extends and widens to the eternal Shore
In concluding, TWO pfacllcal lnlercnces Wcr
drawn by the speaker. In the first place, thi
review should humble us, for there is mucl
in the past to fill lis with penitentiui grief
and in the next place it should stimulate III
prompting TO unwcaried activity in the SCI
tice of God, so that our life whether long d
short, may reflect his glory and bless tn
world.
At the close of the sermon, in response [
an invitation from the pastor six person
were admitted to the church and welcome
by its membership. The sacrament of til
Lords supper was then administered, and NJ
tice given that special revival services wOul
be held in the church on Monday, Wednc
day, and Friday evenings Of this week mt 4;
o'clock.