The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-24
THE SINNER A POOR CITIZEN.

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hymn and benediction by the pastor.
THE SINNER A POOR CITIZEN.
Rev. John F. Damon's Discourse ut the
Taylor Congregational Church.
Rev. John +. Damon preached yester-
day, morning and evening, at the Taylor
Congregational church in North Seattle, in
place of Rev. George III. Lee, the regular
pastor. Mr.. Damon took for his text:
Colossians iii:25-"Hs that doeth wrong shall
receive for the wrong which he hath done: and
there 10 no respect OF persons"
Alternatives enter largely into every propo-
sition looking to the salvation of the human
race; indeed, there is no salvation except upon
conditions And although this form OF the
refuted by the recent diatribes of advanced
theorists, believe thst so long as in this world
man is subject to penalties from which there is
no escape except by change of purpose or OF
method, our time Is better spent in averting oc-
casions for solicitude by living upon higher
plane, and recognizing fact which will not
change its character at our saying 81 don't be-
lieve it." Upon discussion of the nature and
extent of punishment for wrong-doing much
genius for words DIS well as invention has been
human soul will inure from anticipating fu-
ture exemption from the consequences of this
worlds derelctions, or whether the reverse il
true, we are better fortified by inscriptions upon
our individual characters such as we shall not
be ashamed to have read when the veil which
now hides our thoughts from our neighbor has
been withdrawn and we stand at the Judgment
seat to give an account OF our doings, whether
wrong or right.
II It were not true, at least in part, that we
carry the witness against ourselves In every
event OF our wrong doing, then the announce
ment Of our text would be meaningless. Any
magnificent structure upon which we expend
our surprise and admiration, or any archtec-
turxl boteh upon which we vent the most de-
servedly severe criticism, can be no more the
result OF details intellieently and honestly COM
bined in one case, or in the other carelessly il
not criminally thrown together, than are human
characters aroundi US the combined habit of
thought and action subject to influences and
examples which exalt or degrade. And while
It Is good to essay repentance of evil deeds at
any time, the earliest turning away from the
pursuit of ain is surely the best do not be-
lieve In the entire efficacy of death-bed repent
ances alter q life OF lust and robbery spent with
the expectation of repentance at some future
time any more than l do in the worth of q
tenement erected In fraudulent and unsafe
manner, the architect or builder Of which ex-
poets before he turns the superstructure OF his
hands to hide the deficiencies of material or
work under coat OF plaster or of paint The
sighted parts, the weak points, or the nom
test OF time for the material things will be no
more fatal to the repute of their builders than
will be the test OF eternity upon bundle of
habits unfit for admission even among the least
disreputable in an old-fashioned hades
God never made the mistake of imparting to
His human creation any faculty, the true devel-
opment OF which would lessen the joys of any
moment or impair the various powers for legiti-
mate usefulness. II is no greater blunder to es-
TEEN all appetite inordinate and unholy lust
than ii is to denounce the habit of using reason
In the solution OF those greatest problems pre-
scented by human doubt and human hope.
Mortal vision finds its limit 30 circumscribcd
that the range includes only things which
seemingly pertain to time. Ignoring the i'm
portant truth that time is the threshold of eter-
nifty, upon which we scrape our feet clean of
the mold of perishable things, we count that
only success which achieves for us q moment
freed from memories of our own lax morals.
The methods of our dealing are too often re-
garded evidence OF smartness as they compete
in circumvention of him who, placed by provi-
dence In our neighborhood, we make to bear our
burdens while we revel In luxury or repose and
feast in leisure. The politician expects office as
often as he enjoys partisan success, taking his
removal upon change of administration as O
matter Of course. Fidelity to any interests
achieve success and secure dominion insures
our advancement, even If it be only to the priv
ilege of throwing up the hat for our side the en-
thnsiasm engendered of partisan struggle is such
that we deem the privilege boon, to the I'M
questioned perusion OF which we are left by
those who garner the harvest And we spend
our substance for that which is not bread.
In any legitimate field OF commerce or trade
given the essentials OF demand and supply pro-
duction and consumption - the struggle for
supremacy is REGARDED as wise or Incorporate;
consistent and faithful application are manifest
and our fair dealing is established. If it is not,
we may seem for a time 70 prosper, but failure
is inscribed upon the reverse of orr shutters,
and the Jealous scrutiny of competition will
soon decipher the inscription.
Wherever we turn the memorable mandate IL
there. New and improved methods of diyining
of questioning the divine prerngative of doing
away with the methods established when the
foundations of the earth were laid, these are pre-
sented ON every hand; and sage councils con-
Hressas OF culture, meet TO effect some COM
promise with our convictions and provide q
lotion to remove stains from the conscience that
else were indeiible. The unimportant fact that
the law affects the every moment of our pres
emit existence does not deter the kindly disposed
belief in such eternally continued operation to
an effete ciytiixation-an age and realm of igno-
rance and medieval superstition.
We live in an age OF specialists The terms
science art literature, mechanics Agriculture
have become general switch boards TO indicate
a treuding OF thought habit, while in each par
ticular direction diverge side-tracks, that lead
pursuit toward some special feature to occupy
the attention and develop the genius of each as
seek thereby TO attain 70 eminence, or reap the
fruits o. industry Snsnge, ike veritable
Nchen covers the cruder expressions of main
desire for growth, stretching its unceasiug ex-
pansiyepess across many OF those lines by which
we might trace the true progress of human
Reiigion alone abides, and by religion mean
those teachings out OF various understanding
OF which have evolved theories that denmark the
boundaries of seets. limiting the association or
expanding the sympathy OF with another
among creatures of Gods equal providence.
Such religion has never changed. Crecds have
grown aud multi plied until that man in the
church who inauguraIes no new dogma, or
paints no new and novel figure upon the banner
OF the cross is OF no worldly Importance as
among historical factors. But the generations
come and yo--the demise of the noiser and
sometimes worihier Is described as loss TO The
race-blt God remaiss steadfast and unmov-
able, and His omnipotent Will revokes no man
date His omnscience once proclaimed. Having
establ shed His government In equity, His rul-
ings are not necessarily right because uttered
by Him, but He thus rules because il Is right
There never has been an element or Character
istie involved In clearest and most compre-
as distinct when Christ was upon earth as il ia
today The prost tuition OF the temple 10 pur-
poses of sorsiia gain found q Scourge in the
hands OF one whose east CATION Was much more
effective than is today the holy rolling up OF
eyes, out OF a corner OF which stea thlly giints
a tcrusnd Tor hack sheesh. The spirit OF for
giyeness and charity az birth was rs perfectly
developed as the boasted I'm piovement of mind
can present il today DOress compFehended in
tire range of her practical sympathles the every
element OF need and relief that finds emoiazon-
ment among the more este 4tatio0s comm ttees OF
modern society The widow of Main, who fol-
lows her dead sons corpse over the parched and
herhless earth toward place OF sepu lchre,
moment later leans upon has restored strong
arm, rstrse4ag her steps through refreshing
fields, res1o.ent of the perfume OF gratitude and
blossoming with Joy and hope:
According 90 your faith De Ii unto you
means Just the same Us when the soul or Gods
smpathy first sought recognition OF need OF
divine help in the amelioration OF human
suffering and res Grafton OF human life.
Political and social antagonism are so alienai.
ing in their tendencies that while France and
Prussia have zach made sayiog's coat for the