The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-20
LIES AIMS AND FAILURES.
Rev. c. ]. Curtis Salutatory Sermon a
St Matthew's Chapel.

Rev. 4. y. OuTLlS o14OtobOAS ooA 1890 -
ST. Matthew's Chapel.
Rev. C. J. Curtis preached his first ser
mon yesterday morning as rector Of st.
Matthew's chapel, to which he was recently
called by the vestry of St Johns church.
Rev. Mr.. Curtis sermon was an able aud
scholarly one, and was heard by lar sc
/ congregation. His subject was. Life
/ Aims and Life Failures, and tie text was
taken from Revelations H.. 10: "Be thou
faithful unto death. and will give thee
a crown Of life"
The idea running through the whole dis
course was that a definite aim aud purpo, q
are necessary to success in any stage or
condition of life. "The life of a man or
a woman is no mere plaything,' said Mr..
Curtis. "for US TO treat it as we will. It is
no foot ball to be tossed and kicked about as
anv one may choose or chance to
send It; it is no floating feather
to be blown here by winds
of chance on no less unreasoning stones of
our own whims or passions. Human life is
too exalted 10 its origin, too noble in its
nature, too God like in its image. This life
that God gives to us il not flung by some
chance into a great heap Of human lives as
if to fill some awkward gap; but 1t is given
as an individual thing, with
certain object and with great
realities and with individual responsibilities.
1t is a stewardship committed to tho trust
OF each one Of us, aud every one who re-
ceiyes it is bound by the most solemn re-
sponsibilities % fulfill the objects for which
it is given him.
Your life aud mine. said the preacher,
"are given with definite purpose in Gods
mind, and each one of us is bound TO take
this purpose as his aim and object 10 life. 1t
is intended to be manly and noble and
and self-sacrihcing and true; not, as
iE is so easy for us to do, thst we should
spend our lives in getting food aud clothing
and boarding our little dues Of money, or
in using it for such paltry comforts and
mean enjoymentS as little souls are fit for.
There are two kinds Of aims in life open
aud possible before you; one human still,
but GOd-like as it has a right 70 be, manly,
noble and true, having its single aim for
the glory of God, carrying out
M5fR; the Its other mi''' With a mo-
definite aim except for self, and therefore
petty and unworthy and contemplate,
though it be the customary way which
many follow. Each has its attractions or
euticements. aud one or the other every one
Of US must choose
THE religion our gentle Savior taught
and practiced, too-was no weak or
eUemlDaLe one. III was luGenSely manly ana
heroic, full of zeal and truth and holiness
in upholding it; full Of indignation
Of all that was unjust, and scorned Dy all
that was mean and bsse and hypocritical
It's peace was not a pusillanimous one Of
idle ease or cowardice that would allow
anything rather than disturb its own seren-
ity. We sadly need the fire of God to re-
kindle the ancient fiery spirit into a blaze
that shall burn and purge Out the modern
spreading cancer Of effeminate luxury, and
cautious and calculating worldliness-that
shall call forth a nobler energy, a more
transforming purpose aud intenser work
among believers"
Mr.. Curtis carried this idea out at some
length. The sermon is one of serio3 upon
the same object, and the second sermon Of
the series. The continuation of the first
will be delivered by Mr.. Curtis at st.
Matthew's next Sunday.
Mr.. Curtis preached last night upon the
parable Of the sower, taking for his text
Luke viii, 5: "a sower went out
to SOW his seed. and as he sowei,
some fell by the wayside. and it
was trodden down and the fowls of the
air devoured it," This sermon is also the
first of a series, of which the second sermon
will be preached next Sunday night.
Mr.. Curtis is stopping at the st. Johns
rectory.