The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-22
REWARDS OF sELF.sACR1FiCE.

Sermon OF Rev. Matthew L. Haines at the
First Presbyterian Church.
The sermon of the Rev. Matthew L. Haines to
his congregation at the First Presbyterian
Church, last evening, related to selfsacriHce and
its rewards. He read as his text Heb II, a.
by faith Moses when he was come to years. re-
fused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter |"
Long ages ago there stood on the Nile. just be-
low the point where its two branches meet the
magnificent city of Memphis. There is nothing
now but desolation to mark the spot but what
the city was in its palmiest time is evidenced by
the cemetery A city ten times as large as tn lis
capital was blotted out and nothing re-
mains of its past glory but the GENE.
terry with its monuments, pyramids
and sphinxes. In the Kings palaces
Of Memphis Moses was broughtu up and educated
in all the arts and learning of the time. Inita
ted into the mysteries Of the priesthood, honors
were thrust upon him and we read of his being
general at the head Of Egyptians in their war
against the Ethiopians. One therefore can we'll
imagine the excitement his refusal to be called
the son Of Pharaoh's daughter caused among the
mobiles and people of Memphis. He, they doubt
less said, has thrown away magnificent pros
poets to become one of the abominated race from
which he sprung. He is Hebrew and thus
he has shown that blood Is thicker than
water. That was 8, 400 years ago, but now we
can look back upon the act Of Moses as one Of q
noble manhood. He was the peer of the great
est men of any age. the peer of Abraham, Soc
rates. Plato. or the most distinguished general.
He by this one act, in sacrificing worldly
riches. advancement and kingly privileges, be-
came the creator Of a nation of lawyers, gem
erals and statesmen. The story Of his life is
strongly fascinating. and Of him DR.. John Lord
said: "Moses was the one man who gave the
hrst impulse to civilization. He is the most
august character of all ages" But his greatness
is not limited to his character as prophet states
man, general. law-giver. for it shines with in
creased brightness in the refusal to accept the
glories Of the Pharaohs. He stood between the
temptation of high ambition and the voice of
conscience. Shall it be the splendor of life in
the palaces of Memphis. or degradation among
the slaves of Goshenl He knew not then what
he would be called upon to do, for he lived forty
years in the desert before God spoke to him.
Amid the glittering show of to-day there are
examples OF Moses; men who refuse the highest
gains for the sake of duty and conscience. It
requires more to be a hero in these pleasure-lov-
ing and money grasping times than during the
WAR. ueu tnero was an lnsptrltlng influence
in the fire of patriotism, although the sacrifices
were greater. An Oxford graduate of large fort
une gave himself to Christ and 10 now earning
the pittance of a missionary in answer to the
call of duty. 1t is the sacrifice of comforts that
tests the soldier. A gentleman who was in the
army said he never went into battle, on the
picket or skirmish line. without Sense Of fear,
but he could not leave. or seek to escape the
heavy responsibility, for ne could not do without
honor. A scholar says he must have hours of
enjoyment, that he cannot permit his studies to
encroach upon his snort time for recreation.
Another says he cannot allow amusement or de-
sire for pleasure to interfere with his study.
That one ia the true scholar The
woman who will give up social life
for her spiritual welfare is strong.
There is no sight so sad as that Of one advanced
in years holding on to the gayeties. frivolities
and possessions of life. But sacrifice of these
is not without reward. Knowing how TO give up
is TO know how to gain. There is an approving
conscience Of duty fulfilled. Moses gained as he
did fuller confidence in God. He might have
stood before Pharaoh. Certainly, but ne stood
before God. He looked upon kingly elories.
Yes. ont he also looked upon the glories OF the
| King of kinga A man who sev enteen years age
gave up the world for Christ. and has been labor