National Republican., 1883-03-05
THE IMPENDING DESTRUCTION

GRAPHICALLY PORTRAYED BY REV. j. l..
LODGE Al THE NORTH BAPTIST CHURCH.
At the North Baptist church yesterday the
pastor, Rev. j. l.. Lodge, delivered highly
interesting sermon upon the subject THE
Sudden Destruction" The ideas enunciated
by the reverend speaker showed the result of
deep thought upon the subject, and the Sc
qucnce in which they were put forth showed
Dr. Lodge to be one of the most successful en-
temporaneous speakers. The discourse was
attentively listened to by large congregation.
Mr.. Lodge took his text from the first verse
of the twcnty-ninth chapter ofProvcrbs-" lie
that, being often rcproved, hardcneth his
neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that
without remedy
The reverend gentleman said that the gem
eral application Is to all the objects of rcproof.
The special to sinners against redeoming
grace.
/. The occasion of reproof, the existence
of sin, the destroyer Of the worlds peace,
the usurpcr of Gods place. RcprOof is di-
rected against mans intentional and active
opposition to God. The crime is intellectual,
aiirctional, williul Rcprool originated in
the bcncvUlence of God. 1t 1iscl0scs the true
nature of sin by showing the irreconclabc
displcusure of God. 1t is the standing protest
against all wickedncss. What Sinai was to
tnc Old the cross is to the New Testament.
tween the soul and the souls ruin. Here is
the Legislator the Father, the Saviour
:" The nature of the rcproois Negative and
positive rules Of life. Thou shalt not, and thou
snnlt. I hrmOral principle demonstrates while
il realms its power. Providence utter their
Noi,c Those which are the effect of national
law, c"Husc that law Is part of Providence.
SreciaIy the end, swift and dreadful Of the
mhrDcnel Most Ol all, the preaching Of the
10 pCl. 1t COnVcs, pOrtruyS salvation. Hence,
disuhuycd, i, the SAY or of death.
3. Tdc sudden destruction. Mark the equity
ofthc inds mont. 1t iSnOt tyranny, bat retribu-
tiOn. uf which the sinner is himself the cause.
lie refuses rtprOOt, because II reveals self and
interrupts the flow Of wicked pleasure. The
wicked dcspise rcprOOl. Evil deeds hate light.
Law Is offensive only to those who violate il.
Destruction is more terrible than anuihila-
tiOn il is continued eternal
i. The destruction OF the hardened is remCdi-
less. 1t belongs to the eternal world. where
states are Inaccessible. There can be no eX-
tension uf opportunity Otherwise, God would
stand inCupntcd of nCglccting TO provide
adequate measures for recovery. But lie asks,
"What moro could have done that have not
donc?' OF failure to make known His will
and the means of meeting IL.
The publication of the gospel is the answer
to this reflection. This Is the Will Of God,
that ye believe on Him whom God hath sent"
"They have Moses and the prophets" There
is the further answer in the actual salvation
of many. Such extension would cXtcuuatc
the hardened sinners crime in pcrsstently
refusing to accept offered reconciliation. 1T
shall not be forgiven, neither in this world
nor in tho world to cOme.' 1T would dis
prove the whole Biblc--that now is the ac-
ceptcd time, now is the day of salvation. The
gift OF repentance and the means OF pardon
are withdrawn when the limit Of divine for
buarancc has been reached. There will be no
cross in he'll If repentance be exercised ii
must be in the same state rs that in
which sin was committed. A new
Saviour would otherwise be necessary,
because the blood of Jesus did not avail. The
soIcmn consideration OF the necessity of re-
pentance Is addressed 10 every heart The
folly Of refusing and dcspsing rcproof was
pointedly illustrated. Nhcpruucss Of harden
ing under saving influences was graphically
shown, aud the impending destruction which
hung oy,r the unrcgcncrutc soul Think"
taid the speaker, "uf the honors Of the second
death whose soul shall realize the terrible
prediutiUnw