National Republican., 1883-08-20
VOICES FROM THE PULPITS.
Some Of the Sermons That We're Preached in
the Different Churches Yesterday,
Rev. Joseph T. KeIIy's Discourse on the
Christian Warfare.
Who is My Neighbor? as Explained by Rev. Mr..
Lee at Grace Episcopal Church,
Sermons by Rev. Messrs. NJ. G. Thwingi
VIM. Elliott, and A. f.. steele.
CHRISTIAN WARFARE.

ELOQUENT DISCOURSE BY REV. JOSEPH II.
KELLY AT THE FOURTH PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH.
At tho Fourth Presbyterian church yester-
day morning tho pulpit was occupied by the
pastor, Rev. J. II. Kelly who has just re-
turned from his summer vacation. Ills text
was from Corinthians, tx, 20; 81, there
fore, so rum not as uncertainty; SO fight l,
not as one that beateth the air."
The reverend speaker said that Saul, one
of the most marvellous mon of all time, utters
here q statement so striking as to attract in
stant and earnest attention. Apart from re-
ligious ethics, which furnished such motive
power to this mans life, there were elements
of genius ana executive ability in his char
acter which have stamped him as one of the
great personages of history. His influences
upon all classes, rich and poor was wonderful
beyond example From Mars hill he ad-
dressed one of the most cultured audiences
which speaker ever faced, and 5wayod theiI
minds rs trees are moved by tho overmaster-
ing wind. Men wondered as they listened.
Here was Irresistible power. Cynics and
skcptics strove to break the force of his argu-
ment by questionings, but were put to con-
fusion by his resistless, incisivo logic and
eloquence.
The orator had fought against the evil OF
his own nature, had waged relentless war
fare on the battle field of his own heart, and
had emerged from tho conflict erect and vic
torious. A glorious coronet famed about his
victorious head and the pean of victory as
cended from his lips. Men, striving against
their own evil tendencies, share that struggle
and emulate his example. 1t is appreciated
by all who are ambitiously reaching after
something nobler and better, and who are not
Gallio-like standing aloof, indifferent spec
tators. PauPs methods are worthy of study
md nt NnNN NtEV FgN d.
object which he kept in view to the very
end. This was real, and never u fancy or
phantom. The facts of eternity were stern
realities to him. God and heaven were cer-
tainties. The contest was between right
and wrong, truth and error; God and Satan
There were unseen foes-spiritual forces
ready to drag down the soul. His life
therefore, was devoted to the struggle, and
no motive or incentive was lacking.
q This warrior fought with purpose. He
never missed aim or suffered his adversary to
elude the well dealt blows. He wasted nc
energy Men arc wasteful in the outlay OF
strength. With him every force was re-
served, and his eye was kept straight upon
the antagonist. He must make tho most OF
his power. Possessed Of overmastering cour-
age impetuous zeal, and earnest belief in his
cause, the whole man was impeled by an
eager desire to succeed. That fiery, vehe-
ment persecution of Christians which had
marked the early Paul gave place to charac-
teristics which are revealed in the various
epistles wri1len by the new apostle. After
conversion his whole heart was in tho cause
and he was ready to die for the faith. Such
legal acumen, persuasive eloquence and rest
less energy might have won him an honored
fame at Athens. He devoted all to his new
Master.
3. PauPs addresses were marked by tact and
wisdom. Starting from q common ground
upon which all stood, he worked his way vi
to the higher plane, carrying his audience
with him. That wonderful Mars hill dis
course was not an iconoclastic TRADE but
looking down the avenues lined with statues
of gods and goddosses, he said, aye men OF
Athens, perceive that in all things ye are
very religious"-not superstitious. Gaining
attention by his conoiliatory opening, he
passes ON to declare to his hearers the "un-
known God" whose altar had been reared in
ignorance of his attributes and character. In
the highest sense che was all things to all
men," Nevertheless, he made no compro-
mise with error. He was emphatic in de-
nouncing error, even though he might have
to withstand Peter, face to face" And upon
that very occasion the wrong he denounced
covered into darkness and skunk away from
Peter forever. He was ever conscious of the
bittor taint of personal sin and tho power of
Satan over human hearts, and he made no
excuse for evil. He applied the dissecting
the scapel against his own diseases.
We in this day need to be possessed of these
same characteristics. Our objects should be
clear and distinct. Aimless shafts are not
ordinarily successful. We should by prayer
and examination find out our evil tendencies
and break them down by we'll directed blows.
Locate the evil do not deal in generalities.
Just as the human figure has its own identity
and peculiarities and each physique its own
lurking weakness or disease, SO with the
spiritual man. Hunt these defects out and
conquer them. You will have no childs
play, but knowledge must go conjoined with
power. Until Hercules discovered the source
of AntGus's power his fight was unavaiing
but when he held him aloft in air he soon got
victory. Do not lot temptation gather
strength by cultivation. Reach after God
and eternal life, Bend your best powers aud
energies in this direction and you will win Il
prize compared with which the treasures of
kings and princes are nothing.