The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-10-11
REV. Pow1CK PREAoHEs.
An Interesting Discourse in the Methodist
Episcopal Church.

Episcopal Church.
The sermon in the NJ E. church on Sunday
evening was on; Living men that are
dead" Rev I'LL: "I know thy works,
that thou hast name that thou livest, and
art dead" / remember to have read of a
soldier who after serving his country for
awhile devised plan by which he was
reported dead and who then deserted. When
the war was over and rewards were being
distributed he applied for share. But when
the books were opened there stood the word
" Dead opposite his name. Let us beware
least a similar fate befall us when we stand
before God It is to be feared that many,
even now, who have name to live are dead.
The scriptures frequently speak Of living
men who are dead. They give us no logical
definition of death. We may be dead in one
sense and alive in another. She that
lveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth-
and you hath he quickened who were dead
in tfespasses and in sins. Ye are dead, and
your life is hid with Christ in God" Some
who are remarkably alive and active in
business affairs are dead in spiritual things,
But the text contempates the case Of one
who was once truly alive and whose spiritual
life is practically extinct but who has the
reputation of being still alive unto God.
Such persons are not all dead yet. Nor are
they all to be stigmatized as hypocrites,
Many are undoubtedly deceived and while
maintaining the form of Godliness are
destitute of its power. They go to church
and receive the sacraments and listen to the
gospel and yet are insensiblo to spiritual
feeling and irresponsive to the spiritual needs
Of dying world--as much so as though they
were in their graves Nor is it hard to
account for their condition. The cares Of
the world-the deceitfulness of riches
neglect of private prayer and bible reading
evil communications which corrupt good
manners-indulgenc in sinful OF question
able amusements-the supposed obligations
Of polite society-the competing claims Of
nOn-religious lodges and societies--the bitter
contentious of political life etc, chill the
current Of spiritual life and sap its vitality.
Men may deceive themselves, but God
KNOWS luClT NOIhS, II ID uOI SuppOSlIlOn
with Him-He knows. He knows not only
our creed and our professions but our works.
He judges us not according to our orthodoxy
or our desires or cur good resolutions but
according to our works.
In order to recover from such backslidden
state watchfulness is enjoined Intense
solicitude for our spiritual estate is the price
of improvement. Then we are commanded
to strengthen the things that remain-that
are ready to die. Some elements of good
must be found in him who "has a name to
live"-the death cannot be absolute. Then
are we bidden to remember how we first
heard and received" what joy once filled our
soul. Thus may we better appreciate the
depth of our fall and learn the way Of
recovery. Repentance towards God and
faith in our Lord Jesus Christ as a present
saviour will restore the peaceful hours you
once enjoyed"-and nothing else will. Then
will the Spirit of God again breath upon
the dry bones of your soul and they shall
live.