Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-29
SIN OF IRREVERENCE.
The Subject of an Eloquent Sermon
in Allegheny Last Evening.
HOW RESPECT HAS DEGENEEATED.
Rev. DR.. j. G. Townsend Tells Succinctly
How Not to Grow Old.
REV. E. r. DONEHOO LOOKS BACKWARD

crowded last night The subject OF Rev.
Mr.. Richardson's sermon was "The Sin OF
Irreverence. He treated it as follows:
with the rise and progress of the senti-
meat of human equality, it is but natural
that the feeling of respect for those once our
superiors should often be lost. In so many
instances has reverence been perverted into
slavish fear and superstition, that it is not
10 be wondered at that, as the race has be-
come enlightened and has cast off its unrea-
soning subjection to king and church, it
should lose Herewith, too often, the spirit OF
true reverence. In the conflict for spiritual
freedom, the soul is in danger of confornd-
Ing its friends and foes. The early Christians
were called atheists because they denied the
many gods of the pagans; and true re-
formers, as well as false, have been de-
nounced as heretics when they have dared
to assert their liberty in Christ.
"But reverence is no less necessary, be-
cause it has been oft perverted, and, like
liberty, been made the excuse of almost
countless wrongs. The family, society or
state which is filled with the leaven of irrev-
erence is on the highway to certain ruin.
Respect for authority in human life is as
essential as obedience to natural law in the
physical universe.
REVERENCE FOR PARENTS.
The Hebrew legislator made prominent
in his laws the obligation of the child TO
obey the parent, Honor thy father and thy
mother, that thy days may be long upon the
land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. ;
To reviIe parent was cause for death, and
this penalty the Hebrews did not fail to in
fict. Jesus rebuked the people of His dav
because they had wickedly compromised
with the spirit of filial rebellion; and Paul
adds the sanction of the name of Christ to
the command of Moses, saying, Children,
obey your parents in the Lord, for this is
right
'Disobedience to parents is rife in Ameri-
can homes. The German professor was not
far wrong when, after visit to America, he
was asked If it was true that there was less
family government in America than in Ger
many. He answered that he thought there
was as much in America as in Germany.
only 1t was exercised in Germany by the
parent, and in America by the child. In too
mary families the father is referred to as
the Governor, and the mother as the old
wOman. Children in their teens assert their
the sacred wishes of the mother that bore
them. And. too often, the blame for this
lies at the door of one or both of the parents.
Husband and wife, who have pledged to God
aud each other their love and honor, treat
each other with cold neglect or open disre-
spect, till the children catch from them the
same spirit. Fathers and mothers owe it to
their children 10 so live as to make it impos-
sble TOR their children to feel other than a
true respect for their characters.
IRREvERENCE IN THE HOME.
The irreverence that takes its rise in the
home spreads into all mans social relations.
ana makes him regardless of the rights OF
others. The common lack of respect for
woman, as such, on the part of man, must
have its source-in part, at least-iu the
failure of mother or sister to so impress on
the son OF brother their sacred womanhood
rs TO render il impossible for him to ever
willingly dishonor any of the sex. The
man VINO does not instinctIvely honor
woman is himself without true manhood.
Political irreverence is even more COM
mon than any other form, perhaps No
public man is safe from the tongue of
slanGer. The man who would scorn to re-
vile his neighbor in private life, will spread
abroad, emphasize and exAggerate the base
less stories that find circulation in apolitical
campaign. Political newspapers will too
frequently descend TO the manufacture OF
slander against the leaders of the opposing
party, when the character of the men affords
10 true foundation for attack. The dis
orderly classes in society take the cue from
their betters, and despise the laws and those
appointed to execute them. There is needed
In society q revival in the practice of the
Golden Rule; and all classes of citizens need
10 reau again the ringing denunciation of
Paul agalst those who despise rightful au-
thonty il government
THE CROSSES IRREvERENCE,
"Irreverence in religion is the grossest form
taken by this sin, as the reverence due to
God is the more demanded bv His infinite
glory and Righteousness. Yet even here
men do not hesitate to tread with ruthless
feet. The sin OF profanity. as senseless as IT
is wicked, causes the reyerent soul to shud-
der as lie hears the names of COD and Christ
blaSphemed by human lips. Cod has said
that He will not hold him guiltless that
taketh His name in vain, and the profane
swearer should not forget that he is prepar.
ing Cor himself fear ul harvest of wrath by
his gross words Of irrererence. This same
spirit is manifest in the common profaning
OF the Lords day on the part OF the trans.
porting companies which fill the SUNDAY
seekers; and, above all, by the miserable
leeches of the speak-easieS and places of like
ilk, who spread their nets in the paths OF
the idle and unwary 1t is grateful fact
that many newspapers and transportation
companies are not included in this indict.
ment; but, on the contrary, are doing all in
their power to effect a reform in this d.
rection. All honor to such.
Christians and church-goers are not free
from this sin OF irreyerence, by any means.
The professed Christian. who turns his back
upon the appointments of the Lords house
and absents himself persistently from the
Lords supper, is trausgressinS the COM
mand of his Master and despising His au-
thOrity. The person who conducts himself
disorCerlv in the house of worship is show
ing lack OF respect for Him to whose service
it has been dedicated. He who hears the
gospel and yields not a willing obedience
is doing despite to the spirit of grace that
calls him to the enjoyment of lite eternal.
Religious irreverence leads to all other
forms of this sin. Anarchy and atheism are
twin brothers, and every age of unbelief has
been a lawless one. 1t becomes every good
citizen to foster the spirit of reverence in
himself and in others. and thus conserve the
true interests of man."
PAST AEn PRESENT