The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-10-26
rsEIswls's 4ar.svarrp.
A Solid Sermon After . Weeks En-
gagement with the synod-Consola-
tion and Comfort Amid tho Uncer-
tninttes Of Life.


gagement with the synod-Consola-
tion and Comfort Amid tho Uncer-
tainties Of Life.
While reading the scriptures bearing
on the ministerial call during his Sun
day forenoon service in West Presby-
terian Church, Rev. Albert N. Keigwin.
pastor remarked In purport: The
Lord did not send whale to swallow
me and spue me out during the two
years shrank from preaching, but /
would wake up in the night startled
with the words: Woe Is me IL preach
not the gospel" There are ministers
who when young men would have pre-
ferred to have engaged in business
with all Us interesting associations
and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. but being
divinely called to preach they dared
not refuse.
As TO his sermon he had been attend
Ing the annual session Of the Balti-
more Synod last week, which did not
afford time for the preparation he al
always deemed 1t HIS duty to make for
the pulpit In obedience to the injunc-
ton of Scripture TO bring only we'll
beaten oil into the house Of God.
The writer took notice, however,
that Mr.. Keigwin proceeded to preach
one of his best sermons, 1t being a
symposium OF philosophic conclu-
sions in practical Christian experience.
His text was Cor. TX: 20: II there
fore SO run not as uncertainty; SO
fight not as one that beateth tho air.
This text had been suggested by the
fall athletic exercises, as the preacher
rejoiced to see the young men develop
ing their muscular manhood. The
tex has reference to those Athletic
games so extensively patronized by
the ancient Roman Empire including
the cruel Emperor Nero. To win
meant fame throughout the great en-
pire. But winning was uncertain.
Gully ono of all the contestants could
win. But Paul had race and contest
III mind where certain success was
sure to all who engaged in 1t. Moth
ing was definatelyand infalibly certain
in human undertakings in the affairs,
business, amt circumstances of this
world. The speaker elaborated this
point concluding there was nothing
certain IN this life except death itself.
He also set forth at length the
Affections, prosecutions, hindrances
and enemies st. Paul had to contend
with. He thought st. Paui's thorn
in the flesh" was defective eye sight.
But God sets down law and at
the same time a prize. God always
sets motive with His command. In
the universal history of the affairs of
mankind it appears that God never
has therein taken any glory to him
SELF except through human beings,
The nature of the Christian life is
race with prize to 1t, a contest with
sure crown of victory. 1t has adj
vantages which give the greatest en-
couragement, hope and blessing.
The fact of right or of wrong in
Wilmington is afact in heaven or hell
for all eternity. fact is fact every
where. A character is character
everywhere. No power can change q
human character from the fact that II
is except the Holy Spirit. This is a life
of probation in which God can bring
the dead spirit to life, give new birth
Of tho Spirit and new heart and new
life. y
An atheist appears to have either a
very weak mind or q very dishonest
heart. 1.-THE foolhath said in his heart
there is no God" The agnostic, who
says you must prove the existence OF
God. is about as unreasonable as the
atheist who denies it.
There is no greater certainty in the
universe than the success OF Christi
anity, because 1t is permanent and es-
tahiiehed character that lasts for all
eternity. Not aspeck as large as your
finger remains to-day OF the material
works of men on the face OF this earth
in the antedlluyian ages. God has
sufficient power 10 cause the heavens
TO he rolled together as scroll, and
all the elements to melt with feryent
heat, on a continent 10 DO submerged
SO that nothing OF The material works
OF mankind will remain 10 be seen.
But the Christian character lasts for
ever. God is always ready to change
the heart of man and make it right for
all eternity.
In conclusion, the certainty, perma-
nency and successes OF the Christian
religion exist in prophecy, history, in
the permanency OF Christian charac-
ters oil all ages even where the material
works of man have been destroyed, in
living character in Spiritual power
and influence, in moral and scientific
facts, in all truth in the Bible, In its
great centre Jesus Christ, the Son of
God and in God Himself forever.