St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-12-30
GET PAIR OF SANDALS.
preparation for the New Year."
the Subject of DR.. Burrell's Dis


course.
DR.. Burrell's subject for last even
ing's sermon was "a Pair of Sandals
for the New Year." taking his text from
Ephesians, vi: "Ahd having your feet
shod with the preparation of the gospel
of Christ" He spoke as follows:
Saint Paul was fond of representing
life under the figure of campaign.
Flight the good fight of faith" is his
injunction; and another, endure hard
ness as good soldier of Jesus Christ.
He himself was a soldier OF good met
tie, who calamity faced foes without
and fears within until on the borders of
eternity he could say. 81 have fought
good fight, have finished my course. l
have Kept my faith; hencefOrth there is
laid up for me crown which the
righteous Judge shall give me at that
day." 1t is quite in line with his own
experience that this man exhorts us tn
put on the whole armor of God; ebay
ing your lOins girt with truth and your
feet shOd with the preparation of the
gospel" taking the breastplate of
righteousness and the shield of faith,
wherewith We shall be able to quench
all the fury darts of the adversary, and
the helmet of salvation and the sword
of the Spirit, which is the Word of God"
No part of this equipment is more nee
essary than the sandals. A Roman SOL
der fought at close range, oftentimes
hand to hand; much therefore, de-
pended on his being we'll ShOd that he
might be able to withstand in the evil
day and having done all to stand" At
the beginning of the new year we want
a due preparation for its tasks and re-
spOnsibjlities. We are to set forth "shod
81, 3 kl,n
the gospel of Christ.
We are moved at this transitional Pc
Rod to look backward over the old year.
1t is not altogether a pleasing retro
spect. Sins meet our view, sins with
out number, but over against them we
observe the infinite grace; as it is
written, "Where sin abounded, grace
did much more abound" Sorrows also
meet our view, but over against them
were divine consultations and special
prOvidenceS and unSpeakable tokens of
a Fathers love. And wasted opportu-
mites come to our remembrance, hopes
unfulfilled, privileges unimproved, pos
sibiities unfullfilled: but this sad rec
ord is overarched With bow of prom
Use. an assurance of better hopes and
brighter days. Therefore, forgetting
the things which are behind let us reach
forth unto tboae which are before, and
press toward the mark for the prize of
the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
This is a time also for looking in
ward. Self-examinatioE IS oftentimes
morbid and unwhOlesome, but we
should scarcely be just to ourselves at
this season were we to omit it. While
merchants are looking over their books
and taking an inventory of stock to see
chow they stand with the world;,o we
also may profitably look over our moral
gains and losses to see how we stand
with the other world, the endless here
after. 1t is a time to be asking our
selves such questions as these: "Have
l any master passions? DO believe in
that Christ of whom it is written He
that believeth in Him shall be saved,
and he that believeth not shall be
damned? Have made such open con-
fession of Him as shall insure me recOg-
milton when He comes again in His
glory?"
This is time. moreover, to be look
ing upward. IL look unto the hills from
whence cometh my help" 1t does lit
tie good to merely make resolutions or
"turn over new leaf" AS well try to
mend watch by adjusting its hands to
the time of day. The thing needed is
thorough overhauling. There is no real
reformation without renovation of
heart. Except man be born again he
cannot see the kingdom of God" That
being done on accepting Christ, the next
important matter is to put away sin,
and the next is to take up the cross, as
it is written: IF any man will come
after Me, let him deny himself, take up
his cross, and follow Me-"
And, finally, this is time for looking
forward. How far? Not merely through
the coming twelvemonth. with its tasks
and pleasures and responsibilities, but
further; through oil the years till death"
and beyond death to the judgment; and
beyond judgment to the endless life.
ETERNITY, eternity, how long art thou?;
The part of a true man is to adjust his
manner of living and thinking and
working and playing to the Importance
of that eternal life