The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-06-14
THOU SHALT NOT KILL.
NOTES OF A SERMON BY R. W. LID.

NOTES OF A SERMON BY R. W. L1DE
The frequency of murders shows an
alarming state of society. Almost every
issue of the secular newspaper has some
narrowing account Of murder committed.
Men seem to be losing their respect for
human life, and are forgetful that life is
sacred.
Gods instruction to Israel when they
we're leaving off living in tents, and be-
gan to build houses for themselves was
(Deut. %: 81 "When thou buildest a
new house, then thou shalt make bat
Element for thy roof, that thou bring not
blood upon thine house, if any man fall
from thence"
The houses of the East were built with
fiat roofs, and the houaetop during the
warm season was the pleasant spot, and
if one wished retirement for meditation
and prayer (see Acts 10: 9, ff) he went
upon the housetop. Now God shows
how much He regards human life by
saying, "Build railing around 10 keep
the unguarded from falling off," Some
man might say. "There is no use In all
this; if man hasn't his wits about him
sufficiently to keep from falling off be de-
serves to die" But mol accidents may
happen to the most careful, and we must
guard against them.
On the Canada side of the Niagara
river there is an iron railing along the
river bank. The bed of the river is more
than hundred feet below sharp and
perpendicular precipice, AID the iron
railing is to keep the people who visit
there from falling over into the surging
torrent below. Human life needs to be
hedged in by the Law of God; and the
railing of healthy public sentiment
needs to be built around life to protect it
against the surging passions of death to
which we are exposed.
Men commit murder, and ne are fa-
miliar with the various excuses that they
offer; drunkenness, insanity, self defence,
or they commit murder and buy their &C.
quittal with money. The public con.
science is blunted. We need to reset our
faith on this important subject of the So.
credness of human life. Let US notice
then
7. The teaching of Gods aOord on this
subject. Here among the commandments
setting forth our duties to our fellow men,
ne have the explicit Injunction, "Thou
shall not kill" Some one has said, "this
law is old but not antiquated." 1t is old
because important. In Genesis 9:6, We
read, "Whoso sheddeth mans blood by
man shall his blood be shed, for in the
image of God made he man." David's
murder of Uriah brought upon him the
displeasure of God. And afterwards
when he wanted to build a house for the
worship Of God, very commendable in it.
self, be was denied the privilege. God
said, "Thou shalt not build an house unto
my name because thou hast shed much
blood" JezebePs murder of Naboth for
his vineyard was visited upon her in the
death of Ahab, her husband, the king,
and in her own ignoble death.
In Exodus 81 20 81, We are told that
if an animal known to be vicious took
the life of man, the animal Was killed,
and the owner also if he took no steps to
prevent the killing. In the sermon on
the mount the Lord says (Matt. 5: 81, 22,)
''Ye have heard that it was said by them
of old time, thou shalt not kill; and who.
goever shall kill shall be in danger of the
judgment; but say unto you that who
aoever is angry with his brother without
cause shall be In danger of the judg-
meDt." When Jesus uses the term
"orother," He does not mean brother
according to the flesh, but brother man.
Jesus taught the fatherhood of God, and
the brotherhood of man.
In verse 25 He says, "Agree with thine
adversary quickly; lest at any time the
adversary deliver t6ee to the judge, and
the judge deliver thee to the officer. and
thou be cast into prison." In cases Of
personal difficulty how proud and un
bending is each sidel We are exhorted
to settle our troubles outside of the courts
if possible, for when We are once in the
hands of the Law We must pay the utter
most farthing."
In lat Corinthians 81, the Apostle
says; "Why do ye not rather take wrong
Why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to
be defrauded7" Better take wrong than
commit the least wrong
There are wrong and foolish ideas
among men with reference to courage and
bravery. The irrational lion has more
bravery than any man, but courage is
moral quality, and it requires true NOR
al courage to do right when you know
you will be misunderstood and even call
ed coward. Here are two men prepar-
ed to fight a duel. They face each other
each with deadly weapon trying to take
the life of the other. Men call that cou.
rage. But the truth is it requires more
courage to refuse to fight than it does to
fight. 1t is easy enough to fight, but it
is hard, requires courage to say, VI will
do right, will not 6ght," although it is
known that thus to speak will cause a
man to be branded as coward. Now
there are two influences that instill this
wrong idea. First, / blame parents all
over the land for teaching the idea that
to resent injuries, whether real or sup
posed, is courage. And then the trashy
literature, the dime novel that the boy
reads, teaches the same thing.