The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-11-20


editor turns out crisp. readable sheet, and does
not need to 60 out and hustle for news either."'
Sunday Services.
Rev. Father M. E. Murphy conducted the serv-
ices, and preached very impressive sermon TAX
ing for his text the Epistle read this day. the
Epistle of St. Paul to the Colossians i. 9-14:
therefore we also. from the day that we heard it,
cease not to pray for you. and to beg that you
may be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all
wisdom and spiritual understanding, that you may
walk worthy of God in all things pleasing, being
fruitful in every good work. and increasing in the
knowledge of God; strengthened with all might,
according to the power of his glory, in all patience
and long suffering with joy; giving thanks to God
the Father, who hath made us worthy to be par
takers of the lot of the saints in light; who hath
delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath
translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his
love, in whom we have redemption through his
blood, the remission of SINS"
1t is seldom that we find Paul praising any one.
but here we find him praising the Colossians for
their faithfuness and zeal in the cause of Christ.
The fame of their holiness had gone out in the
land. Would that more Christians of to-day
might show more zeal in their work. That they
do not is not the fault of the Gospel. We do not
receive it as we should. The parable of the sower
applys to our times well to the people to
whom it spoken by the Blessed Savior him
self. Not one in four take the lessons taught by
the Savior to themselves. They go into the house
of God Sunday after Sunday to hear the words of
the Divine Teacher, but it has inspiring effect
upon them; like the good seed of the sower the
Gospel falls. some by the wayside some on stony
ground, some among thorns, and others good
ground. The reason we do not profit by the teach
ing of the word of God is, do not go to learn
do not take the lessons to ourselves. The
teachings of the Bible do not take root in be-
cause there is no room for its truths. Men
filled with the things of this world that the good
effects of Christian teaching are prevented from
entering their soul. The soul has become cal
lous that the words Of the preacher cannot pierce
it. All the preacher can reach is the external
feelings of man. We should come to the house
Of God to be instructed with hearts open to re-
ceive good impressions. If will do this
will receive impressions that will revolutionize
our whole being, but unless we prepare ourselves
to be instructed we cannot receive any benefits
from The Holy Word. The holy spirit of God can
not exist in the same place with the evils of the
world. We must give up some of our worldly de-
sires before we can enjoy the blessings Of Chris
tanity This is illustrated bv the words of Christ
to the young man who asked him what he should
do to possess everlasting life-"Sel all whatever
thou hast. and give to the poor, and thou shalt
have treasures in heaven and come. follow me-"
Now this young man went away sad of heart
because his heart was fixed upon his earthly pos
sessions.
Not the hearers but the doors of the word of
God shall be justified. Do what you know rather
than attempt what you do not know-brng what
knowledge you have of Gods will into practice.
People learn great deal about God and the soul,
but they make little no use of their knowledge.
They go on year after year practicing the same
old sins and allowing themselves to be controlled
by the same old prejudices until they no
longer capable of receiving the blessed truths of
the word of God Blessed are they who hear the
word of God and keep it.
Are you not awe stricken, you who have
passed through many struggles of defeat, success.