Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-07-17
TALMACE ON SIN
Tho Mere Profession Ct Religion 10 Poor
Wrapping for tbs sou'.
A Church Certidcats is Foor Title to Heaven
-some OF the Biggest scouadrels in the
World Have Been tho Most Fascinating.

A Church Certidcats Is roor Title to Heaven
-some OF the Biggest scoundrsls in tho
World Have Been the Most Fascinating.
In his sermon at Winfield, Kansas. last
S anday, Rev. r. De Witt Talmage dealt in
charat terst style with tho various CARDS
In which sin masquerades in modern
society, and, In stripping the monster OF ito
disguises, he aimed not only to reveal ito
deformity to the world, but put his hearers
on their guard against self-deIusion. His
text John Is: %: "But now they have no
cloak for their SIM"
Sin IL always disguised. DeclSed, and
CLOSED, and perfumed. and masked, 1t gains
sdmittance in place from which it would
otherwise be repealed. AS silently a. when
It Rlided into Eden ana a. plausibly as
when it talked to Christ at the top OF the
temple, 1t now adore sses men. Could people
look upon sin as it always is-an exhalation
from the pit, the putrefaction OF infinite
capacities, the Rhastly, loathsome, God
smitten monster that uprooted Eden and
killed Christ, and would push the entire
race into darkness and pAin-the informal
charm would be broken. Before our first
parents transgressed, sin appeared to them
the sweetness OF fruit und the becoming as
gods To Absalom it was the pleasure Of
sitting upon throne. To men now, sin 10
laughter, and permission to luxurious graf
iacation. Jesus Christ in my text suggests
fact that everybody ought to know. and
that 10 that sin, to hide its deformity and
shame, 10 accustomed to wearing . cloak,
and the Saviour also sets forth the truth
that God can sec straight through oil such
wrappings and thicknesses. I want now
to speak OF several kinds of cloaks with
which men expect to cover up their iniqui-
ties, for the fashion in regard to these gar
raents IS constantly chan eing, and every
day beholds some new style Of wearing
them, and, if you will tarry little while,
J will show you five or six Of the patterns
IT cloaks.
First, remark that there are those, who
being honored with official power, expect
to make that successful cloak for their
sin. There is . sacredness in offlc. God
Himself Is king, and all who hold author
tty in the world servo under Him. That
community has committed mons,rous
wrong who has elevated to this dignity
persons unqualified either by their ignor-
ance or their immortality. Nations who
elevate to posts Of authority those not
qualified to fill them will feel the reaction
Solomon expressed this thought when he
said: "Woe unto thee. o land. when thy
king is child and thy princes drink in the
morning" While positions OF trust may
be disgra, ed by the character Of those
VINO fill them, believe God
would have us respectful to the offices,
though we may have no admiration for
their occupants. Yet this dignity, which
office confers, can be no apology for trans
gression. Nebuchadnezzar, and Ahab, and
Herod, in the day OF Judgment, must stand
on the level with the herdslnen that kept
their 1ocks, and tho fishermen OF Galilee.
Pope, and king, and president, and goven.
or, must give an account 10 God and be
judged by the same law as that which
Judges the beg gar and tn, slave. Sin is all
the more obnoxious when it is imperial and
lordly. You cannot make pride or in
Justice, or cruelty sacred by giving
1t throne. Belshazzar's decanters
| could not keep the mysterious finger from
| writing on the wall. Ahab's SIN literally
hurled him from tho throne to the dogs
The imperial vestments of wicked Jehoram
! could not keep Jehus arrow from striking
through h:s heart Jezebers queenly pre-
tension could not save her from being
thrown over the wall. No barricade Of
thrones can arrest Gods Justice 10 it, un
erring march. No splendor. o. thickness
OF official robes can DO q sum lent cloak Of
SIM Henry tho Eighth. LOUIS the Fifth.
tenth. Catherine Of Russia Mary Of Eng
land-did their crowns save them! NJ
ruler ever sat 50 nigh that the King o.
kings was not above him. All victors
shall bow before him who on the white
horse goeth forth conquering and to con
Quer
Again: Elegance of manners canno
successfully hide iniqu ty from tae eye o
God. That model, gentlemanly apostle
Paul, writes to US: "Be courteous" Tha
man can neither be a respectable world
ling nor o consistent Chris tian who lack.
good manners. He is shut out from refined
circles. and he certainly ought to bs hin
dered from entering the church. We can
2ot overlook that in q man which we coule
hardly excuse in bear. One Of the h,s
effects of the grace of God upoA a,
Individual is to make him gentleman
Eruffness, awkwardness, implacabi
clannishness, are fruits Of the devil
while gentleness and meekness are fruit
Of the Spirit But while these excellence,
Of manner are SO important they canno
hide any deformity OF moral character
How often it Is that we find attractivenes
81 person, suavity OF manners, graceful
Aess OF conversation. gall0ntrv Of behavior
shrown like wreaths upon moral death
The flowers that grow upon the scorie O
!esuvius do not make it any less of q vol
sano. The sepulchres in Chrisrs tinse di
not exhaust nll the whitewash Some o
,he biggest scoundrels have been the mos
fascinating. II there are any dependin,
m outward gracefulness, and attractive
less OF demeanor with any hop
lhat boz ause of that God will forgiv
shs sin OF their SOUL let me assur
.aem that this divine justice cannot b,
satisfied with smiles and elegant gesticu
lation. Chr st looks deeper than the skin
and such q ragged cloak as tho one in whic
You are trying TO cover yourself will be n
hiding in the day of His power. God will
not in the Judgment ask how gracefully
You walked, nor how pc itely you bowed
nor how sweetly you smiled, nor how i'm
ess veiy you gestured The deeds don
in the body will be the test and not tn
rules OF Lord Chesterfield.
Again: Let me say that the mere pro
fession Of religion is poor wrapping 70
soul. The Importance OF making pub
lie profession OF religion il the heart b
renewed cannot be exaggerated. Chris
positively and with the earnestness Of tn