Morning journal and courier., 1890-09-08
FIRST M. E. CHURCH.

A Powerful sermon by Rev. Dr. l.. | IT. T.Armstrong-The Christ1an's Prfv- | uege-Hfs Relation to the Master The Four Mile Posts in Christian EndeavOr. A large congregation at the First Meth odist Episcopal church listened yesterday morning to a powerful sermon by Rev. Dr. L. T. Armstrong of Nashua N. H. In his opening remarks the speaker stated that it afforded him pleasure that he had no desire to disguise to speak of the gospel of Jesus Christ and it's blessedness to the members of the congregation. The last line of thought that was presented two weeks ago at this church was the Chris tian's knowledge that he is accepted. The next thought in course is, after one is Christian can he thereafter know defin- itely his relation to God. It is your priv lege and mine to know our relation to God, and in this connection let us note another truth, which is how well the truth of Jesus Christ is adapted to the wants of man. kind. Let us trace the religion of Jesus to the wants of mankind past four mile posts, and as we pass each one or them let us ask ourselves, have we passed this mile post.
 An illustration which is used in the scripture is. the Christian life is called | tourney. Let us run the race that is set | before us.
 When man runs he springs off from | the earth or, in other words, he is above | it. When a man walks one foot is on the l earth all the time. We must make the whole journey, and by the scripture we are advised to make the trip above the l world.
 1 I affirm that if man is ever saved at all, he will be saved by mercy instead of any merit. God owns us and we have con- l ducted ourselves so that we owe him much that we have not paid him. We have used much time for ourselves that we should have used for him. Let us not de- ceive ourselves, but realize that God owns all. Did you ever observe that some men are striving to accomplish some certain ob- jecta They have been striving for that one object nearly all their lives and have again, but they fail to accomplish their object as often as they try, and they never will accomplish it. Whys Because God does not wish to have them accomplish it. Men have not been dutiful to God. He will not favor them. If men are saved, having once become sinners, they must be saved on the basis of mercy Before a man is converted he will say am not a bad man; I am true and loyal to my fam fly, l am kind to my neighbors, give to charity as much as I can afford, am patriotic to my country, and taken all to- gether, l am quite good man. He does not realize that in the scrutiny of Gods gaze he is sadly deficient. If an uncon- verted man will analyze himself he will discover that he is selfish, and has no special love for others; he will see that he is corrupt, that his heart is carnal, and that the list of his shortcomings is long one. It is then that the man makes the awful discovery that he is a sinner. Then he finds in religion just what he needs and he discovers that he wants a new heart. Have you passed this mile posts The next mile post is right eousness-frst wisdom, then righteous. ness
 In the First epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, the apostle says in the 30th verse: But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us, wisdom, and righteousness, and sancti6cation and re- demption. God is pure being and can not do anything impure. How can God make man, who is all wrong, all right He will take out the stony heart and give him new heart. He must be born again with new spirit which will give him { new heart, not an old one whitewashed. 4 If Q man is all wrong it's necessity fo, him to be all new, and to be converted al through Have you passed this mile post
 If a man is all right physically what does he lacka He may lack moral strength so we feed him with nourishment and ht begins his activity. The scriptures ad monish us to be not drunken with wine but be filled with the spirit. If a man ha. a new heart and he knows it, his sou needs to be filled with sanctification Here is another mile post.
 
 which we have not seen, but on it is writ } ten redemption. When we are redeemed we shall be transformed into bodies tha shall never grow sad or weary.
 The excellent singing by the quartett, choir was feature of the worship.