Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-05-17

70 british men, sklllful to destroy. Note
lhe connection here, "brute and de-
suncnon." Only brutes destroy. They
create nothing; the OK nor horse nor bird
create YET the OK may tread down the
puIest plant that ever decked the earth.
mus IN lie we find that brutlshness and
obstruction go together. Are there not
lnen skilliul TO destroy, but powerless to
Greater Skillful to destroy beautiful
things, out powerless to reproduce themg
20 we so often find destructive critics;
tney nnd fault or crstlcise or obstruct OF
destroy. This element OF nature Is pos
sessed by each OF us, and the one nur-
pose OF grace Is TO destroy the spirit OF
destruction; this is the object Of the
bible The world Is never blessed nv
this Characteristic, but only blessed and
made better by men and women who
puid up. 1t is so easy to destroy
easier than to build up; tits easier 10 60
GOWN hill than up; child can cast mud
upon painting and In q moment destroy
the work OF lifetime. An incendiarv
can apply the torch and destroy the finest
building ever erected; there Is not a babe
but can effsce forever the omanations OF
genius.
II Is so easy TO criticise; even one's
neigh5ors may be readily spoken OF in
some derogatory manner, and fault can
be found with every one; Il is so
easy to obstruct; so natural, He
who undertakes such work takes
upon himself an easy task.
There Is not particle OF heroism In
floating with the current.
want to point out TO you In contrast
to these statements that Christianity I'M
dertakes constructive work, and there
fore undertakes the Supreme difficulty OF
all service. Some say that Christianity
works slowly, yet we live in city called
a Christian city, but why are the people
not all Christiansf Merely be.
cause constructive work, such
as is Christianity, Is the most
difficult OF all work, Christianity pre-
poses to make every man new creature.
1t picks up man and makes him new
man. claim for that purpose grandeur
that touches the point Of sublimity. Not
only does such man become possessed
OF new habits, impulses, complexion, but
his innermost life is birth from heaven, "a
new creature washed In the blood OF
Jesus Christ.
1t Is easier for man 10 present good
outward appea rance to the world than to
secure new heart within. 1t is easier
to hide ones sins than TO eradicate them
aud cure them. Any religion that under
takes to accomplish the new crea-
tion of mans heart, undertakes
the aggregated difficulties OF human sery-
ice. Christianity comes not to tribe,
but to make new creatures; not new
habits alone, but n new spring of action.
Conformation to outward forms does not
constitute religion, but an entire internal
change is necessary, and only then is II
religion before God.
Does Christianity make new creaturess
is 1t equal to that 1t undertakes2 This
is practical question and | answer 1t,
yes viii take high ground on this, and
| can offer testimony TO Its truth, which
anyone should be willing to accept.
! II no other was offered / could speak Of
our own personal experience many of you
can say whereas, once was blind, but
now can i see" 1t is not mat
ter Of heresay but it comes Of our
own vital knowledge. Christianity must
first get you out of self, and II would be
more popular If it would pat the world
upon the head. Christ himself was not
popular. He condemned the sins of the
people and said aye must be born
I dkdlus uC NnulOll iOotS uuuIu DtSuucN
we have not enough who will stand up
and say everywhere they are Christians
A man will not contradict your
conscience, and there would be
fewer skeptics If we were more ready TO
give personal testimony for Christ
Christianity is heroic religion.
Christianity undertakes to develop the
brotherhood Of mankind, and beget a
common love for common Savior; II
undertakes to unite humanity in one
sweet prayer, asking us to clasp our
hands the world over and say "OuI
Father which art in heaven"
Negative work never accomplishes good
to the world; man must become totally
disguised with his sins, fall out with
them and turn from them, and the love OF
Jesus Christ comes into his heart
and occupies the place that sir
possessed. The angels, at the
holy birth of Christ proclaimed
gospel OF good news TO mankind, thai
Christ came to make us free to breah
every fetter binding our souls and witt
the knife OF truth set free the captive
Its grandest idea is the universal brother
: hood of all nations, and any religion
which does a constructive work like thai
is above criticism and fault-anding o
men who can merely pull down and no
build up.
1t is such religion that | urge upol
you this morning; this faith in Christ i
heroic, old and simple, and what Chris
tianity did 10 early ages she can do now
Time eliminates none of her strength o
grandeur and writes no wrinkles on he
brow.
Esprit OF freedom, on
And pause not In thy hight,
TIL every cline be one
To worship In thy light.
: Then. where the valleys sink,
And where the mountains rise,
, The beacon lights OF liberty
! Shall kindle 70 the skies"
| call on you to rally to this banner; t
give TO it all your strength and power an
pocket-book; consecrate them all to Coo
service and pray God to make you skilliul =
save; skillful constructors. Aid humanit
TO greater holiness and happiness be no
: skillful to destroy,for God will hold us :
our great responsibility. Will you rise I
the grandeur of such an OCCASION
BE not like dumb driven cattle,
BE a hero IN the strife
Many there are who are skillful to dc
.