Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1884-03-24
First Nj. e. Church.

How Man May be Kept From Sin Ser
mon by Rev. c. HI. Buck.
In his notices last evening Rev. Mr.. Buck
announced that next Sunday morning he
would preach memorial sermon, in memory
of those members of the church who have
died during his three years. pastorate. He
also announced that in the evening he would
preach a sermon to young men on How to
make life success
In his sermon last evening he showed how
man may be kept from sin. His text was
Psalm 119, IL, ''Thy word have hid in my
heart that might not sin against thee" 1t
is natural, said Mr.. Buck, for men to sin.
The heart is corrupt. The fountain of moral
action is impure. As water on the mountain
top seeks the sea, SO mans life by the grav-
itating power OF depraved nature Rows
toward that which is evil. The inner forces
of an evil-loving nature and the external in
fugnces of wicked world pull In the same
direction Temptations and allurem ents
from without find ready allies in the appe-
tites and passions that are within. If q man
yield to the evil influence then by the force
of habit he is confirmed in sinful course
and held in it by power that is fearful. To
restrain men from sin in heart as we'll as
life. in desire as well as action, the course
adopted by David is worthy of consideration.
ssThv word have hid in my heart.n To
secure such result We must comprehend the
scriptures and be penetrated with their life
and spirit. The Bible is not an amulet or
charm to be used as believers in witchcraft
use horseshoe. It's principles must come
into contact with the soul, must root them
selves in our convictions and affections.
Thus received the Flaw of the Lord is per-
feet converting tine soul.''
The Bible keeps men from sin by attracting
to that which is good No man can read the
word of God with attention and seriousness
without receiving an influence that eievates
his thought 1t may not be conscious In
husnce, but it is none the less zeal. Its PIE
lures of moral excellence, its biographies, SO
nrire and vet intensely human, enlarge his
heart and lead him to aspire after their attain
ments.. The Bible keeps men from sln by
revealing its exceeding enormity. 1t shows
sin to be the most awful thing In the uni
verse. It so pictures its hatefulness ana MAJ
Lightly as against gracious DeneIaetoF ana
Ioyinc father that men shrink from 1t, feel
ing, as did Joseph, CHOW can do this great
wickedness and sin against Godr'
The Bible djssuades men from sin by
showing them its fearful results. Men are
often deceived Sin wells her determines.
Gods word sears of this glitter1ng drapery
and reveals her hideous features and des-
tructive consequences. It warns of danger
Il says to men who resist divine calls HE
that being often reproved hardeneth his
neck shall suddenly be destroyed; ITO him who
revels in sinful pleasure and dissipation,
1.-THE wicked shall not live out half their
days. to him who INDUCES in strong drink.
''At last it biteth like serpent and stingeth
like an adder
In numberless ways the Bible teaches that
God Furnishes sin and that fearful penalties
are inseparably connected with transgression.
Mr.. Buck closed his sermon with an earnest
appeal TO the young men TO loye the Bible, to
study it and hide its precepts In their heart.
It will. said he, restrain you from sin; it viii
help you 30 resist the evil; it viii allure you
to righteousness; it will open for you the
gates OF the city of God,