Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-04-17
LIFEOFTHE PEOPLE
The Formation Of CAa.4l Ter Four
Phases of 1t Discussed by the
Rev. Mr.. Sweeney.
A Sermon Preached at the Christian
Church on Sunday Night Last Before
Very Large Congregation.

the sea, driven with the WIND aid tosSec.
He is double minded"
DIR. Sweeney said that character was the
ultimate object of all human endsavor. 1t
was the purpose Of God in our creation. He
that fails TO form a character in this life
misses the msrk and the end OF his being.
Character Is what man is; reputation is
what ne seems to De. A man, therefore, may
have a good character and a bad reputR-
ton, or he may have a good repu-
tation and a bad character, or he may
have a bad character and a bad reputation,
or good character and good reputation.
The latter is most preferable-to be good
and appear such. A true life lies IN the
harmony of the inner and outer life. O1e
should express the other, or else the man
will live double life" When the outer
iIfe il in harmony with the inner, man is a
sphere. He is full-orbed. He is like every
thing in nature which is globulsr, from the
molecule to full-grown worlds. The reve-
luions of such a character through our
world true and successful those of
the softly-rolling globe on which he lives.
A great many men are like dough or clay in
the maids of a cook or potter. They passive
IL receive life's ideas and impressions. The
last man who gets HE hands on
them leaves he hual impression. And they
remain forever such, till some one else comes
along ard kneads them over again. Such
characters need some one to "run them" TO
make them 2 psssable success. Ii they were
to fall into the FIRE they would never get out,
or in shallow water they would drown for
some to do their wading. There are other
characters fully as unfortunately formed.
They are the stubborn, "mulish" characters.
They are always in the opposition. A sort
of bad grammar, born IN the "objec' i've
case" They never can be taught anything
or agree with anybody.
THEY WOULD TAKE CHURCH TO HE'LL
lust TO oppose those who are trying to take
it to heaven. Tney are like crabs, that al
ways travel backward. If you ever get
them into heaven, You have got TO back
them in! And my third class Of characters
is somewhat of an improvement, but far
from full. orbed. Honest enough, il may be,
but tickle, and easily influenced for good or
evil. They are impulsive people, and act
from the spur of the moment, without FORE
thought or reason. 1t takes freshets to raise
them, like driftwood on the mud fats Of
rivers. If they are church members, they
never attend service, Only when 'protrsct-
ed meeting" is in progress. 1t takes a
church "split," or fuse, or election of a new
pastor 10 rally them around the holy altar
of worship! They always hear everything
first, and witness street Gghts, and follow off
every red wagon that drives through town.
"Waves OF the sea, driven and tossed by the
wind"
THE DECIDED" PRONOUNCED MAN
belongs to my fourth and last division. He
scts from causation. His outer life is an
evolution of his inner. He changes his course
aud pursues his way for we'll defined reasons.
He is firm as a rock, and yet will change if
new light dawns on his way or re-examins-
OF inIsrataS
world and Church need more such u en-men
who act from reason aud conscience /;
men of moral decision, who are
characters from principle. You can
calculate on them for tomorrow
IRON what they are to-day. They take and
hold positions from convictions and fervent
truths accepted. Truths of reason and
right and conscience. Such men sail in tri-
umph through treacherous seas and adverse
winds TO quiet harborsf and Ravens of rest.
They are the living, active, earnest men.
They tread beneath them formal fossils, and
their oowardiy, tims-serving critics are left
behind In the great race of life. The de-
cided character acts from within-his real
convictions-and hence possesses "individu-
atty" He takes the place that nature in.
tended him, showing to the world his own
Likeness and not passing the picture of an
other. He allows the world to gazs on him
as he is.
ISDIvIDUALITY
is the most potent factor in manhood or
Womanhood. Ana sUeb il he testimony of all
history. People who hide behind "hypothe-
ses" and "impersonslties" speDd their ener-
gies on the world il vain. There was no
doubt or wavering in the marked individ-
uality of Napoleon. His words were sabeIs
that cut down all opposition. He spoke
and commanded with the vim of victory. I.
takts such characters TO cut knots, disturb
sin and wake up the world with the light
ming OF their iutellects. The decided Oh ar.
acter moves parallel with his convictions.
Such a man may often be wrong in his own
works, for he may be wrong 10 his convic-
tous. Such a man was Philip II, of Spain.
H is cruel deecs scarcely have rival. And
as his historian has said, he was free from
those terrOrs which hauuted Louis XI, OF
France. The speclers of Carries, Orange,
Egmont, Horn Moniigny, and other victims,
did not rise like Banquo's ghost, to shake
their CORY locks at the dying murderer.
Philip, the cruel tyraut, died in meskuess
with his eyes on the image of the Savior, for
he remained persuaded 10 the last that he
was right when he committed those acts of
horror, execrated by all posterity. man,
therefore, if he works with his convictions,
rule, crown his lab0rs and plans Of evil
Such man was
MARTIN LUTHER,
differing only IN that Luth .r had convic-
tons OF right. When summoned TO the DE.
Of Worms, he replied that he would 60
though every "tile on the roof were devil"
And when ssked if he wrote the book that
wac causing such revolution, replied that he
did, and he would "sesl il with every drop
OF his bloodw His inner convictions when
expressed in outer life gave the world Pro
test antism, before whom Europe and America
aud Asia and Africa are on their knees. And
they will in time arise 10 their feet, filled
with a new enthusiasm and a blood leaping
with new life! Saul of Tars1s was such
man when on the side of wrong. "He verify
thought he ought TO do many things con-
trary to the name of jesus" "He lived in
all good conscience toward God" And ne
was a bshemoth OF terror to the people Of
| God. When he was converted be was equally
as conscientious and persistent in the execu-
| ton OF bis honest convictions. He conferred
| not with flesh and blood. And nothing but
| death could stop him. And his name aud
| fame will follow him to the end of the
world Ny young friends, initiate such he
roes.
| Dare to do all that may become q man."
Learn to labor and TO wait"
| Make up your minds on The side OF God and
conscience and imperishable character.
RELY ON YOUR CONVICTIONS,
| then, and you will prove your title TO your
| clod on this globe, and your ftness for the
race and age IN the unseen holy. Through
struggle and patience you must characterize
and fill your outer life with your inner being
and conviction Of right. "Rome was not
made in day" The world was 1000 years
getting ready for Christ and the religion Of
character" Our globe was millions of years
evolving through epochs before fit for the
home of man. Aud Jesus Christ waited 1900
years before He took His seat in Harvard
and Yale and Oberlin and Oxford-l900
years before He was triumph in the archi-
lecture and arts Of Europe aud America,
and in the language and Literature and poetry
of our great civilized word. As truth, He i:
triumphing over error.
Truth crushed TO earth will rise again,
The eternal years of God are hers;
| While error wounded writhes in pain,
And dies amid her worshipers."
Let Us, then, hold up our lives after this
| grand pattern Of character, gid them ovel
| with golden glory of noble and God-like
| deeds, that shall forever and ever reflect
from the nights of heaven the praises of ths
| divine Christ who loved us and gave Him
| self for Us.
| Help US, o Father, when the world is pressing
Onour fral hearts that faint without their friend
| Help us, o Father let Thy constant blessing
| Streng CITIZEN our weakness till the joyful end"
After the sermon a very beautiful sons