Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-09-14
THOUGHTS UPON LIFE.
Introdnetos-v Service of Rev. Thomas
Firhin az Central NJ. L. Church.

Introdueto,v Service of Rev. Thoma.
FiIbin at Central NJ. L. Church.
The introductory D. rFvlces OF the pastor
ate Of Rev Thomas Filbiiis al the Contra
NJ. E. Church, in this city, were held yes
terday. Rev. DR.. McKelvey, the retiring
pastor, was present. and very pleasantly
introduced his successor to the people
whom he has served most acceptably and
ably for the past three years. Mr.. FilbiA
speaking from the text, For what is
your life James ", IA, said:
do not PROFOUND the question for the
purpose of reaching direct and satisfying
answer as to life's origin and essence; this
Is not yet possible from the standpoint Of
even our best science. Life is something
no wisdom of science can define; a some
thing no physicians eye has ever beheld.
Investigation after it leads only to confu-
sion. The inspired penman would not send
us upon such fruitless and bewildering
search. He would call us to consider some
OF the manifest accidents of that life; to view
some of the phenomena associated with it.
In this line, life, as to its source is God
gwen. All life isstrom great pre-existent
source, call that whatever men will. Spon-
:
Is true of life in general is especially true
OF thelife of man. Two theories prevail as
to the origin of man. One brings him upward
from the brute, the other brings him down
ward from the Almighty. The one with
lessening acceptance, be it said To the credit
of the new. The explanation written near
est man creation, God formed man from
the dust of the earth, and breathed into his
nostrils the breath of life, covers all the
requirements of mans present appearance.
In substance, material " a brother to the
insensible rock and to the sluggish clod y
in essence, spiritual, with flight not less
lofty than seraph, akin to Deity himself.
Mans dignity Is everywhere apparent He
Is the manifest capstone of the wundrous
edifice of creation in him all its glories
climax, for him all its activities toll. Man
IS nearest to God Of all the creation; so
like unto God that no depravity robs man
of the impulse to reach out after Him; so
infinite in faculty that he thinks Gods
thoughts after Him.
Man as to nature and character, is dual
material, spiritual; earthly, heavenly; tenn
poral, eternal Man is as periShable Us the
clay from which he is formed, but as i'm
mortal as the Being whose breath he holds,
and that is no due life that does not take
into account both these elements, and give
them their true order and proportions
Man is not all the splendid animal, earth
tied, to be fed pampered and amused
but his are piniohs fit for skyward flights,
often to be plumed in heavenly airs The
mistake of the race is in crushing out their
soul powers. Give your soul powers scope.
Life IN its purpose, asst touches our
selves, IS probative, preparatiye for an
estate to come. Life is tremulOus with its
possible issues. Millions of angels in
earth's marbles are waiting for an Angelo
or q Raphael to chisel them free. The pos
sibility of glorious earth servant and a
glorified citizen of heaven is in every
human life awaiting development. The
work of getting this spiritual character is
upon you don't fail in your duty Build
yourself true life Mans life should be
like the day, more beautiful in the even
ing better, like the autumn, rich with the
golden sbeaves of good works and deeds
that have ripened on the field of its con-
tinuance.
Life, as it touches your fellow and the
world, is an influence. Nothing is truer
than this, whether 1t is conscious or I'M
conscious, willing or unwilling; to live is
10 influence. You have influence: let it be
right influence. Let it be the wholesome
breathings of benediction, and not the
pestiferous eXhaations of blight.
Life, as it touches God and the eternities,
is gem yet waiting its development and
expansion. With it all here is partial
these complete; here prophesy, there fulfill
ment. Life, then, becomes a thing of pro-
digiOus moment. Life once begun, never
ends. 1t shall outlast the earth it for the
time treads, and the stars it looks out upon
in wonder
The heavens and earth shall pass away
the earth shall be burned and the heavens
rolled up as a vesture; but the soul, the
life of man once uttered, is as immortal as
he who burns the worlds and rolls the
heavens. But the soul is not only tc con-
tinue to be, but to expand. Here it is
hampered, there its exercise will be free.
Here it is exotic, there it will find its ma
tive heath. The germ shall expand into
its fullness of proportion and stature the
seed shall grow into its measure of size of
fruitage. This is the thought | would
leave you life here may be a gem of bliss
or a seed of misery, and it is for every man
to say here which it shall be.
Let your life be all it may be here, and
being made, wait for the inheritance of the
saints in light. Then must come an
abundant entrance into Gods blessed king
dom. Every man goes to his own place,
every man makes his own place, and your
earth sphere is an opportunity to make
yourself place in glory.