Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-09-01

ing OF terms may appear, and
have some intimate relation to what he has
been studying. In this case he is sure to be-
come deeply interested and may be greatly
benefited can now reap much more benefit
from hearing sermon than could years ago
for the reason that have been trying to make
sermons for years. This study seems to qualify
me to listen with profit formerly did not re-
aliZe. | can now unders and the remark CT
noted Methodist Episcopal minister whom |
heard in my boyhood. He said he could wish
that such of his hearers had had the benefit of
preparing and preaching one sermon. can
now see that that would be an excellent prepa-
ration 10 listen to- and be profited by, the Ser
mons OF others. And what good we may do or
are doing by our preaching is largely from TINS
very cauSe-that SO many of our hearers do
make the subject of religion study, thsy Go
think and read upon it during the week. On
the Sabbath day in the house of God we do not
speak ON novel or foreign themes, but on sub
lects in which they are already deeply inter
ested. SO that they Go respond with apprecia-
ton TO the uuerances from the preacher. We
act and react upon one another, and thus build
one another up in our most holy faith. This
response from the pews greatly helps the
preacher. There are few persons who do not
believe what they believe more strongly with
q sensible increase of faith, when other people
express their assent and agreement with them.
/ know not that | ever believed anything SO
strongly that did not feel aided and inyigor
ated in my belief by other persons agreeing
with me. In this way Paul went ell over the
country of Galatia and Phrygia in order
strengthening the disciples. How it does in
vigorate ones mind and heart, ones belief, TO
hear his own belief and sentiments advocated
by another. In general people are more inter
e>ted to hear their own sentiments advocated
and applauded than to be taught something
wholly new Investigation has shown that the
immense expense of the press is paid for, more
On the principle of paying for the advocacy of
ones own ideas than for being taught essen
tally new ideas. What is called the news of
the passing day is very superficial. mean
trafr In hQn franC nf hA hnfr hal
history of human knowledge shows that
the discoveries of great and important
truths. in this sense truths, have met with
the fiercest opposit ion. Calico had to bow
down, and on his knees and in sincerity confess
the error and heresy of the mott n of the earth
about the sun. Inventors generally have had to
hide themselves from the skeptical gazs and
ridicule of their fellow men. So was it with
Whitney, the inventor of the cotton gin, which
almost created the greatest industry, and real
led to the southern half OF our country its
greatest wealth. Sc how it was with Fulton.
who was jeered and scofed and ridiculed till
he hid himself from the multitude when he
sent forth his first steamboat on American
waters. And when this new and strange craft
had made the trip from New York to Albany,
there were not wanting some to say, ..She can't
do 1t again." How should all such ps rSons hide
their faces with shame when they see the out
come, and witness such trial trip as the mag
nificent steamer San francisco, built on our
coast, making over twenty miles per hour.
But the world is learning wisdom and the in
ventor and discoverer of to-day have no such
dreadful ordeal to meet as he did years ago.
Men have learned that there are truths yet 90
be discovered, and he is honored who is search
ing for them. The Government has even en-
dowed an Institution in the capital OF the ma
ton for the avowed purpose of publishing ex-
clusively new truths, new knowledge.
Why should not religion have the benefit OF
this advancement of the human mind?
Here, brethren and sisters, is our difficulty in
preaching the gospel to the unconverted Re-
ligion is to them too essentially new. AS Paul
says. the natural man receiveth not the things
of the spirit they are fOolishness to him. Here
is where the pulpit needs the help of the pews,
the preacher the help of his believing hearers
For. alas, the unconverted are correctly styled
unbelievers! They who have not experienced
the saving powers and blessings of religion say
they do not believe in it. Ihaye never haudled a
steam engine or un a steamboat. What would
be thought of me if should say | did not be-
lieve in steam engines and steamboats,? You
have never handled the telegraph, but can you
say you do not believe in the telegraph You
have not been sick and have never had
the service of a physician. Can you say
you do not believe there is any disease, nor any
cure for disease? With just as much reason can
the unconyerted say they do rot believe in re-
ligion, in sin, or conversion, in God nor His sal
walton.
With good reason we may arraign the whole
world of unbelievers, and say this very progress
OF knowledge condemns them. The progress of
knowledge proves thatthere may be, and doubt
less are, many important truths we have not
known. so IL is in religion. There is a great
body of believers, of men and women who nave
for themselves experienced the truth and value
of pure religion. 1t is too late for people to say
they do not believe in it. Jesus said: "It had
not done among them the works that none
other had done they had not had SIM but now
they have no cloak for their sim" The visible
Christian Church rises up to condemn the nnbe-
liefof this generation. The gospel light of To- day
is shining too brightly for men to say they do not
bttieue. There istoo much knowledge now abroad
for people to say we do not knolC. 1t is too late
day for so-called philosophers to call themselves
Agnostics-know nothings; that the essentials
OF religion are beyond the sphere OF human
men and women do know whom they have be-
lieved, in whom they are trusting. There is
now no excuse. The true light is now shining
All who have eyes are responsible for seeing
and obeying the truth of the gospel