Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-02-06
THE GOOD SAMARITAN.
Sermon by Rev. j. r. Won Herrlicb, &
st. Paul's Episcopal Church.


called to that pastorate. The reverend
gentleman is an eloquent and entertaining
speaker, liberal and broad minded in his
views, and possessed of high scholarly at
tainments. He chose for his text the para
BILE of the Good Samaritan-Luke K,
3l-33.
Our blessed Lord, said the reverend
speaker, taught his disciples the golden
rule of doing unto others as we would have
others do unto us. But here we see that
golden rule put into practical operation.
In reading this matchless parable many of
US are apt to see only the one side Of it.
We are so attracted by what that noble
stranger from Samaria did for the wounded
traveller that we do not think enough about
those two selfish cravens who were branded
with infsmy for simply passing by on the
other side, and their sin is the sin of so
many about us to-day-the oft-repeated sin
of doing nothing at all The parable might
be called the story of man who did his
simple, manly duty, aud the two selfish
churls who lodged by what they knew was
a Sacred duty and a manly obligation.
Likely neither of them premeditated
such mean, selfish action when thew
started out that morning. They did not
say " This is rather dangerous road
have TO travel, and if | meet any one on
the way whom the robbers have roughly
handled, | will hurry along and give him
no attention, for why should | trouble my
self over some wounded tramp by the way
side?' No, they had no such premedi-
tated intentions when they set out that
morning-their sin was the sin of neglect
ing to do noble action when the oppor-
tunity was brought before them. Their
sin belonged to that large class which fills
up the left hand page of the ledger of life
IN many a ones bistory-the sin of neglect
of indifference and omission.
After presenting vivid picture of the
traveller lying wounded by the way
side, and the sorry spectacle of the
priest and the Levite lodging by in order
to avoid any personal concern or outlay
with the feelings of sneaks instead of the
pleasure of heroes-the speaker dwelt on
the touching scenes of the noble stranger
from Samaria tenderly kneeling over the
wounded man, binding up his wounds, and
cheering him on with words of comfort
and putting him on his own beast and tax
ing him 20 au inn for care and Judgment.
Here, said the speaker, we have the picture
OF one who was willing to do his whole
manly duty when the opportunity pre-
scented itself There was no passing by on
the other side to avoid personal incon-
venence. And by passing by on the other
side they lost the opportunity to honor
their calling-they lost the gratitude of
that wounded stranger; but most of all
they lost the consciousness of being good
and noble. which in every good and sincere
heart is well-spring OF pride and satisfac-
ton.
believe, said the speaker, that some of
The most notifying regrets and
memories of life will be the recol-
lection of neglected opportunities and
duties, and if that regret does not
come 10 the narrow and selfish soul in this
life, II must come to such a soul in the
great hereafter, Leaving undone that which
We might have done will make as sad a
record against US as the doings of things
evil and wicked. And who among us can
not recall neglected duties and obligations
Neglected opportunities to help or COM
fort those about us-neglected opportuni-
ties to make more out of life and its priv
ileges-wasted opportunities to grow in
grace or to improve ourselves in mental and
intellectual directions? How many there
are who sigh over the sad thought of what
they are and what they might have been
But time does not turn back in its flight
am opportunities once gone are gone for
ever. Many thSre are who were as much
Objects OF our help and kindness as was
that wounded traveller on the road to
Jericho. We could not remove their sor-
rows. perhaps, but we could have poured
in the oil ot sympathy and the wine of
comfort.
How many there are who allow their
love of ease and se'hshness TO influence
them to pass by on the other side" when
some opportunity for helpfulness or gener-
osty ceres before them
How many tbpre are who SOW uWalI
what's the use of going to the trouble
let some one else do it" and so Sinking
the opportunities and duties of life on the
supposition that some one else will do
them How many men leave to their
wives and children the spiritual obligations
of church and charity, as though their
faithfulness could atone for their neglect,
or as though they could work out their
salvation or spiritual welfare by substitute
or proxy. Some of the keenest regrets.
said the speaker, have ever felt in my
short ministry, have been over what | be-
lieved to be neglected opportunities; op-
portunities to help and comfort those about
me; opportunities to aid and comfort the
sorrowful and afflicted; Opportunities to
warn and help those who have now passed
beyond the reach of earthly aid and COM
fort.
The speaker dwelt forcibly upon those
who were neglecting Gods house and their
spiritual welfare Only little while and
LIES probation, with its opportunities, will
be gone forever. You who pass by on the
other side of the church door-what do
you think of your condition beyond this
Do you not somehow think that your
moral and spiritual growth now will de-
fine and determine it? Often, said the
speaker, the one who is doing the most
evil is the one who does nothing at
all when his help, his presence, his ex-
ample, is wanted to move and encourage
others. The direst condemnation in the
great day of judgment will fall upon those
who knew their duty but failed to do it,
" was an hungered and we gave me no
meat"
Salvation is positive thing, to be Sc
cured by doing something l do not know
the exact effect of certain ordinances upon
the soul and spirit, but this do know, that
if the Lord commands them you re-
fuse at your jeopardy. The neglect to
take certain medicine not long since cost
the life of patient; the failure tc comply
with certain legal requirements of will
sent an estate in the wrong direction the
neglect to swing signal light few weeks
ago caused all the deaths and horror of
railroad collision; and the failure to stop a
leak in time has sunk many a ship in mid
ocean.
The speaker closed an impressive land
eloquenD sermon by urging his hearers not
to pass over on the other side of liie's OPP
portunities and blessings. Be on the safe
side. If God asks you, through his in
spired revelation to do a thing, DO it. Be
on the safe side-go according to the greater
probabilities And the probabilities are
thousand to one that what you do now will
determine your condition hereafter; there
fore do not pass your opportunities by as
the priest and Levite passed that wounded
stranger long ages ago on the way to Jeri
cho.
CROP PRosPECTs.-Tne rain. although it
came rather late, is al that could be de-
sired by the farmers Will S. Green, in
speaking of his section. says: I'VE have