The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-06-06
Rav. Collins Denny.

Rav. collins Denny.
The two forceful and masterful serm ons
preached by Raw. Collins Denny IN the
Methodist Church on Sabbath last call for
more than passing mention. There was
so much sound practical religion in them;
such opposite and perspicuous illustration,
and such pointed and effective application
That 1t IS proper even in a secular journal
to give them prominence.
The morning sermon was based on
Paul's ideal, 'Jhat I n,oy Enoao Him. y
Ideals govern the esthetic world. Rome
and Greece. in the zenith of their civilza-
tlon and refinement. had ideals in oratory,
IN letters. in sculpture, the fragments of
which measure the degree of our attain
msnts in these respects. The ideals of
fame and fortune and position, inspire the
ambition of modern times. In all the
range OF human invention and human con-
ception, ideals govern in purpose and
endeavor = ideals which leave their i'm
press for the time. but pale and fade away
as progressive thought aud new conditions
create new demands. Paul S. ideal, dis
dalnlng PHILOSOPHERS and ereeds, was
ITO KNOW HIM''-to develop into H
likeness, to partake of His spirit: to prac>
tce His virtues-an ideal that stands for
time and eternity. 1t was to this ideal
that MIR. Denny INVOKED the aspiration and
study of the young ladies of the Wesleyan
- Inc ,f, 70 Sv,h0 ho
was more particularly addressed-the ideal
of character III harmony with that of
Christ, and far removed from the ideals of
human creation and human invention.
The sermon at night was fitting sup
plement to that in the morning-a logical
sequel to the central thought. and neces.
sary to full comprehension of the lesson
lnculcated. The theme was THE BLOOD
based upon the decree of the Almighty
to Stay the first-born of the Egyptians.
where the lintels of the doors were net
sprinkled with the blood of sacrificed
lamb. Wherever the door was stained by
the blood of a lamb the angel was to ''pass
over" or pass by that household. thus
born. The story as related in Exodus clear.
ly foreshadowed the blood of the: Lamb
which "taketh away the sins of the world,
The invocation was to get behind that
blood, to plead it as defence against the
penalty OF sin-as a refuge in time of dan
ger.
The two thoughts presented III the dis
courses, converge to one point. and that
IS, through the efficacy of "THE BLOOD"
humanity may learn TO KNOW HIM." It
is not, therefore, in creeds, in church
forms, however important these may be,
as means of worship. nor in systems of
philosophy. however in harmony with
moral perceptions and the refining thee
rleS OF mere mOraliSts. that we reach to a
knowledge of Him. 1t is through belief
in the saving power Of THE BLOOD and
THE BLOOD alone that we KNOW HIM.
In celebrating these two thoughts. Mr..
Denny brought out in clear and distinct
proportions the character that should be
the ideal Of the young ladies he was adj
dressing, and the nature of the influence
and power that were essential for it's at
tainment. His logic was faultless. his il
lustrations appropriate and impressive and
his application forcetuI and Irresistible.
We do not remember ever to have heard
an ADLER discussion of subject than that
with which Mr.. Denny favored his au-
dience. There were threaded through both
themes classic beauty, tender pathos,
logical arrangement and majestic truth.
so interviewer and associated as to COM
plete a whole of rare simplicity and i'm
pressiyeness. Life was treated as a se-
| rious responsibility, and its ideal as the
compression of the graceS and virtues of
the Spirit into character, to have its inf1u.
ences here and it's crown hereafter. His
thoughts ami ideas were just such as
ought to be impressed upon every young
lady, entering upon the Threshold of wo-
manh0od-a being created for something
| more than dress makers dummy to
show off the tinsei and flash of the fash
ionable emporium-a character moulded
after higher ideals, and destined for more
exalted purposes than the plaything of
modern society