The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-06-24
WORLDLY MANS SERMON.

their neighb0rs hen-roOs's' Juo' 40 ''
ing members Of society are caught IRON
time TO time in the act of stealing rail-
roads Men. in and out of the church
like to feather their nests, whether 1t d.
with stolen chickens or the pickings from
wrecked corporations. Only policemen
claim chicken thieves as their game so
cietv. if the victuals are good, gather
around the genius of finance
We all desire to get somewhat aooV'
the common crowd, the profane rabble
And when The boom of our own deseri
fails 70 lift us we have but one resort, Il
drag. degrade, and beat down those wh'
are above US. Who Is able 10 stand be
fore envy? Liberty, equality, fraternity
sometimes nccessitate dead, low level
"Gentlemen," saws the Rev. Mr.. Stiggins
my opinion is, you are all drunk Only
question Of time, and all your noses
will be as red as mine. And so Rev Mr.
S,icgins is serene-"all right
About the most Improbable thing a
man can engage in IS level,ii g down
wards. It is commonplace, earthly,
sensual. devilish, mean and cowardly.
The relief that man feels in finding
some one more ignorant or worse than
himself stones the incline TO infinite de
gradation. Better-nobler far-to be
mortified, to weep, nay bite the dust be-
fore honor and intelligence than rejoice
in the worship Of ignorance, vice and
depravity.
The divine ideal of the Christian faith,
and its holy requirements, in very
natural WY create discomfort, uneasi-
ness and animosiiy in the general world,
who charge You arr flashing your
light in my eyes, Men faint, Willy,
scott and try to ignore it. Yet Chris
tianity now possesses the world as a
great, most important and incontIo-
vertible fact. 1t is in the world and in the
whole history Of the world as an i'm
mense factor and leading element and
consideration with which none other !
10 be compared. 1t is identified with
the rights and the dignity and freedom Of
the individual, the stability and peace
and Quietness and assurance Of sound
law. And tor whatever it is worth il is
as potent and Undeniable az atmospheric
air. electricity or sunlight.
Modern civilization embracing every
phase of doctrine, all denominations,
sects, and associations, owns itself
hristian. To charge that any organiza
ton Is based on other than Christian
principles is an insul, to be resented
The world is now either Christian or
heather, civilized or uncivilized. The
Greek language, the glory of the world
Of intellect, is most hOnored as the
vehicle of Christian truth the language
Of the Gospels and Roman manhood and
moral principle and law ennobled in be-
Ing set. established md animated by the
teachings ana spirit Of the Author of the
Christian faith. The password of mod
ern ciyiliZa;i Il is that absolute good
shall be worshippea tnat divine human
ily, triumphant over death, perfect and
adorable for purity, holiness, goodness
in supreme power over the universe and
fa;herly aud brotherly care of man shall
be glorifed. And our race finds the
height and utmost reach Of its aspira
tions, when, in fiial confidence, it offers
it, tribute to The infinite-"Our Father,
hallowed be Thy name" Modern biblical
life, when asked for its credentials, says
Go and show to the preacher of manhood,
the apostle of liberty, the proclamer Of
eqaiity and fraternity the great leyeler
Go and show TO him that honors,
manhood, the things that We do hear
and see-men lifted up from wretched-
ness ard squalor, diseased sight spread
ever sufferiugs and pains relieved. bur
dens lightencd, men and women as minis
tering angels everywhere waiting on those
who are in trouble; arr, science, finance
and mechanics, as if by strange inspi.
ration, working for humane and honor
able ends; peaceful, happy homes as
nurseries of virtue and intelligence ;
woman honored and mac enticed and led
by every means to things true, honest
and just, pure, lovely and of good re
portland all in the name of one Master.
Possibly at this moment, along with
other wonders, there stands Que a miracle
OF divine forbearance and goodness and
strange witness to Christianity. In
fidelity, profanity and sacriege have
ong been known as the direst Of Of
fences. And yet in our day man has
been found willing to set himself before