Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-03-20
LRETEN DISCOURSE
BISHOP Kahn DELIVERS TIE FIFIH IN ais
SERIES OF LECTURES.
II, New Episcopal Chapel at Elm Grove Opened
Up Yssiegday-Dr SwOqss Discourse.
Farewell Sermon Preached BY
Rev. Hopkins

To the large congregation gathered
in the Cathedral yesterday afternoon
Bishop Kaln c1pl lined another phase
in the Saviour's temptation. namely,
Satan's effort TO allure Christ from His
aneg ance to His Heavenly Father and
to induce Him to transfer to the Temp
ter the worship due TO God alone. The
price offered by Satan for this base
apostacy was the promise Of universal
dominion over all the Kingdoms OF this
world.
Many men, said tho Bishop, in max
ing practical application Of this seduc-
tive offer Of Satan, are subjected to a
kindred temptation under the form Of
ambition. or an inOrdinste craving for
the honors and preierments OF this
world. Too often the ambitious do not
scruple 70 employ, in the prosecution OF
their aims, means that are manifeStly
unlawful. If such means possess any
virtue 10 aid men in attaining their
ends-any element OF success-whence
do they secure 10? Must IL not be from
the evil one? Is not then the use Of for
hidden means 20 gain worldly promotion
a worship Of Satan? What else is every
tampering with conscience, every de-
parture from truth, every sacrifice OF
which the ambitions are guilty but a
falling down before and worshipplng
of the unclean spirit?
But can a similar indictment be al
legged against the strictly conscientious
Christian, who would spurn every I'M
Just or sinful, or even questionable
means OF securing the object OF his am
bitiOn? We must not, answered the
Bishop. be too quick in giving TO this
question a negative response. II In the
use Of such means only as are admitted
IL liCit 60 themselves man lguOrs COD
directing providence AMI puts his trust
and assurance Of success in his own IN
aided and unsaucti6ed eXertiOnS, Is this
not a species Of seli-w0rship? Aud
what is seli-wOrship bnt the most rein
ed worship Of Satan? The sin In that
case does not attach 10 the means en-
ployed, but TO the unchristian manner
i'm which they are employees for the
devil is sure 10 occupy and direct the
mind and heart from which God has
been banished.
The Bishop then called attention TO
another form In which this lnSidlouS
temptation TO ambition not unfreQuent-
Iy presents itself and which be not in
aptly qualified as NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
the-air. What strange dreams Of fancied
greatness and glory do not some men
indulge in, who have no expectation
whatever OF seeing these enhancing
visions realized. Could they realize
them. would they stop at any means
within their reach? Would not the
prince OF this world find them disposed
TO accept his proposals on any terms?
Are they not already secret worshippers
at his shrine?
The Bishop bade his hearers not to
envy those who have reached the pima
Gle OF earthly greatness, since the
wreath with which the world enctrcles
their brow is too often earned at the
cost Of the blessed crown of immortal
ity. Happy, said be, are those who
live content In the lot where Gods
providence has placed them. They best
understand and practice that ttst OF
all the commandments: The Lord
thy God shalt thou worship, and Him
only shalt thou serve" Next Sunday
afternoon the Bishop will preach the
last OF these interesting and instructive
Lenten sermons.