The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-28
AMONG THE PULPITS.
Rev. T. w. Read Urges the Need
of Religious Progress.
nrwTRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
c.ruer-stone TO BE Laid-Ffrst Service
I'm New Catholic Parish-Pesce
In Grace Church.

Yesterday morning, at the Market street Bap-
sst church, Rev. /. W. Read preached q sermon
An the subject, "Forward or Backward-whichf"
He took for his text:
phi iii:ls--'1 press toward the mark for the
pisa
ming moved. II It did not go forward It went
ssekwsrd, and this was true In every depart
cent of life, whether animate or inaninate
thines are considered. By uss comes increased
ability, and by failure to use comes weakness
md decay.
IN the temporal affairs OF life, said Mr. Reed,
,h!s ID true In every corporation or private en-
ssrur;se 10 succeed means to press forward for
"a prize. Failure comes 70 those who do not
"a forward successfully. II one wishes 10 gain
sriysn position, whether social or political, he
sust keep his mind on that thing, and make
every energy bend to It's accomplishment. In
the mental realm the same thing Is true One
sIther advances In intellectually or he retro
grades This condition of things cannot be
svoided. No one can ever achieve distinction
intellectually except as he has a high idea and
makes everything contribute TO the attainment
* nat ideal It will never be secured by
slothgul Indolent spirit In morals there is no
srcepion 10 the rule One must set'his moral
+ ever secures it. Man either advances NOR
sy or he goes backward. He can only advance
a he pursues the same course as the racer who
runs Tor the prize. He must press forward.
ar be Ia becoming weaker. None of are
where we were morally and spiritually one
week ago. We are either better or we are worse,
We hsye either increased IN moral strength or
wehsvs lost
there is more to be gained In going forward
than backward. Every one knows this II you
bad fortune left you In Chicago, you would
not start after IL by walking backward. You
night DO going in the right direction, but IL
would not be the way 10 attain the object of the
Journey In the shortest time. The fastest train
III L. ~ - smAz
You would want the engine fronted toward the
sosl, and not moving backward. We must be
right In our determinations. and then forward
Id our movements for the right.
nan ernbarks in business with the idea Of
ssefess before him. He knows or IL he does not
inow Il he will find out, that to win his object
be must look well TO his interests and prosecute
iihsnsfgy everything that will contribute TO
thai success. he knows that his gain depends
npcn gsing ahead and that failure 10 inevitable,
II hsdoss not guard every point.
The occasional man finds that he must go
forward In the mastery of his profession or he
viii vesken his influence with men and lose his
business No man can climb Mount Rainier by
phscan or minister win I'm his respective
sphere without the most painstakfng labor look
Ing toward the prize OF success in his line. He
cannot sit down and win: neither can he
80 backward aud win. He cannot succeed
gsudying the methods Of fifty years; he must
beup with the times in all forward methods.
No one can gain success as an author by SLOW
tnit styic VI he EnHkt DE up Win tHe
times In recognition OF the demand for the very
best there IL In him. He can not secure his
hopes II be does not move on.
The same law holds good in spiritual attain
ments. Paul knew what IL meant by actual ex-
perence. He would not think of going back to Ju-
daism 10 develop such Christian life as he knew
vas demanded. He had turned his back upon
that and had launched out into broader way,
where his spiritual ideas had been enlarged, and
now he must keep his eyes upon the prize which
meant spiritual victory In Jesus Christ The
b L. ~
been enlightened by the spirit of God to sue
iced as Christians, we must press on in the way
OF life. IL will net do TO try to walk half the
time backward in the old way and half the time
always make q wretched failure. The one who
sccomplishes most for God and for himself
aye most constantly on Christ and reaches out
alter him and presses forward toward him.
There 10 much more pleasure derived from
Eeing forward than backward, There is pleas
ure derived from right which is worth our
white 10 consider. II Is not pleasant TO ride
backward upon the cars, not SO much the disa-
Erseableness OF the posture as IL is of the view.
The view OF approach TO beautiful landscape
Is far more delightful than the vanishing view
oil departure. The mountain that lifts its head
above the horizon. as II Ii had just been started
thunders over the desert, and comes nearer to
you with its colossal greatness" lifting its
peak, apparently, higher and still higher, open
BY whose base you rush and only see 1t a. IL
gradually yGatshes from your sight.
When anticipation 10 added to sight, the pleas
IRE OF forward movements become greatly en-
hanced. This Is especially true If one 10 on his
way homewsrd. He will not then ride with his
lace turned backward. He wants to have his
objects in anticipation OF the welcome he 10 to
receive. The glimpses OF familiar things, then
TIE lace st the window, then the thrown-open
door, then the meeting upon the steps and the
Kiss OF Melrnna- and the lows nj hnrna- fhaxa
constitute one-half the pleasure of the home
coming We need to face the joy we are to en-
Yer 70 be truly happy.
Then after the sight and the anticipation
ssnes The experience of actual possession.
snaa never forget the experience in journey
essi ne Rio Grandc railroad. We had passed
were now coming into the beautiful scenery of
tast charming route. All are alert and anxious
ss We approach the Black canyon and Marshall
tass IN order that we may see more and be I'M
hampered we take the observation car, aud
snsn ior nearly thirty miles we feast upon the
Iienhess OF that beautiful freak of nature. The
yoss OF the sight and anticipation were greatly
shasnced by the actual experiences of being in
" very midst of those charming exhibitions
" natures work. / would sooner ride upon
"a, w cow-cateher OF the engine and watch those
Hilulg peaks aud rushing waters than sit I'm the
ahest Pulims ami watch from the rear the
vanishing wastes
the reasons given Il IL far preferable to go TO
heaven forward than backward. Aud yet there
are those who greatly prefer. IL would seem, TO
go eackw ard. Their ewes are fastened upon the
III which they hope 10 escape, rather than upon
Iae pesrly gates which they expect TO enter.
They seem 20 take more delight in watching the
ereary, barren waste OF sin through which they
cave passed, than IN looking out upon the sp-
preaching green fields of Gods love, into which
they are privileged TO enter. They are more oc-
eupied with the black torrent of evil in the
world than they are with the river of the water
OF lie flowing out OF the throne OF GOD and the
Lamb It is, believe, possib Bile for one TO be so
Akeu upon with the worlds woe. as TO lose al
seLse al the presence OF a personal Christ.
Some OF US have seen herds of cattle in storm,
unshelteged, shiyering, and yet backing up into
TIE tempest, shaking their heads omniously.
g msuy go TO Heaven backward, shaking their
kesos Ms though 10 were yerv weary, tresome
business T. go out OF the slums of this world
iata the glory of the other. Better face about
ssa be always watching for the fash OF the glory
" ne other world, and listening for the angels
ing OF victory. Christians who 60 20 Heaven
oosSkward always have their eyes upon q dead
SSSlAs they see Him at the cross or sepu cher.
10y Go not face about and catch the fash OF
.sssKlofy and hear the sound of His welcome
cs.ee IN the shout OF victory. Carry the glory of
Sasls' with you instead OF leaving il beyond the
There are two lessons here to he learned First
AS individuals we are 70 move forward in
enaer 70 secure 10 ourselves the greatest joy and
most permanent blessings. Seeoud-Asa church
We nnust open our ewes 20 the future and not
swell upon the psst Look forward and NOT
eSekvard. Do not let the mind rest moon the
eisagreeabla things which she world brings. ann
hiheT upon the glorious ROSS hilities which ara
opened up - US II Christ Jesus our Lord