The herald., 1893-07-31
TOPICS or THE PRESENT DAY,
Rev. L. w. Simmons Discussion
on Labor and Law.
An Ex-Gambler Preaches on the
Devils Bible.
Two Sermons OF Interest Noted Yester-
day-Eev. Simmons Text: Be Ye
Reconciied to CODA santa
Monica Discourse.

Young Mems Christisn association, Rev.
L. w. Simmons, past chief chaplain of
the g. A. r., delivered discourse from
the latter part of the goth verse OF the
End epistle to the Ephesians, Be Ye
Reconciled to God. Mr.. Simmons spoke
OF the present agitated condition of the
country and the lawlessness which was
springing up through the enforced idle.
ness OF 80 many men. That dissatia-
faction was being heard with the laws OF
the country on every eide. with the
condition OF the present law" said he,
"it is the duty OF every man to become
reconciled, and to conform to its regula-
tions. Not to stop and wrangle and dis
cuss every little thing which composed
the great macs of the law, but to con-
form to it aH great whole and femem-
ber that these small things which taken
by themaelves are not understood by
many, taken together make up the
great macs OF the law which brings
about the result aimed at by the govern
ment and which 10 conformed to by all.
When q man starts to read he spells
single word at time, and then gradu-
ally learns its meaning. As he advances
he forgets the words and the letters
which compose them, and overlooking
them entirely only pays attention to
the thoughts which they convey. Sowe
should all look at the great aim which
the government strives to carry by the
passage OF a law, and not the single
little Ingredients which go to make it
up.
There are go many men on the coast
who are out OF line, out of harmony with
the purposes and the will OF God. They
are not acting in harmony with the great
battle of life God has mapped out for
them. How many men, especially
young men, in this country who strive
to do something little bevond that
which ia mapped out for them, sud
denly find that they are not in harmony
with the existing idea and then some-
times find themselves alone and unsup
ported. They could become reconciled
with the existing order of affairs, both
in regard to the law of ths land and that
of God.
Young man, God says to you, "son.
give Me thy heart" and you haven't
done it. He asks again and you still
refuse. Again and agsio is the question
asked and why, oh why do YOU not
answer it and become reconcileG with
Him?
One day traveller was crossing the
Alpe; it was In winter time and he was
told of the danger, still the day was
bright and sunshiny and he pressed for
ward. He rose higher and higher up
the mountain crest and at last entered
among the vast snow fields aud within
the storm circle. Soon the wind began
to blow and the snow to fall and after
struggling vainiy, he sank down ex-
hausted. Then the monks who live IN
that altitude, cent out one of their
truety st. Bernard dogs. He came
bounding through the snow drifts, found
the man and brought him back to life
by his warm breath and tongue. What
did that man do? Did he still lie
there? No, he threw his arms around
the animal and trusted himself entirely
10 it. He became reconciled to the fact
that he was lost and the only hope Of
his rescue wac the dog and he at once
took it.
Now those of you who are weary and
exhausted with the struggle of life and
are ready to drop and give it up. To
you, this afternoon, Christ comes and
holds out to you the succor you need.
Why, if you would be willing to trust
in the ssgacity and strength OF dog
will you still refuse the strong arm and
never-failing love OF the Son Of God,
which is so freely offered you?
II you will get out Of the little circle
of life which you think you illuminate,
get away from it and glance around in
clearer atmosphere, you will see burn
ing around you the cleaning watch. fires
of ho oil - 70 I'd
from evil and ever ready to succor you
if you ask relief.
Be reconciled to God and be obedient
to Him and sll will be we'll. May God
bring you all to Him."
AN Ex.GAMBLER's SERMON.
The announcement made in the daily
press that Evangelist F. L. Smith, who
is holding services in the mammoth tent
at Santa Monica, would preach on Sun
day evening to gamblers. and that he
hadonce been gambler himself, caused
the tent to overflow with a large con-
course of people of both sexes, there be-
ing all classes present, from the denizen
of the beer joint and club room to the
leading business men OF the community.
High rollers of every character and gam
blers OF every class were in attendance,
and eager, seemingly, to hear one speak
who had trod their pathway, and talk to
them of another kind of excitement and
of better lead to life, and about game
where everyone quits winner.
The meeting opened with a service OF
song, which was not only effective but
exceedingly beautiful, and after prayer
the evangelist rose to speak. He is a
hale and hearty man of about As years,
who carries conviction with every utter
ance, and is entirely different from the
old-time exhorter, there being nothing
of the rant characteristics about his
delivery. His sermon began at the
cross and he left his hearers there.
He said: "The soldiers, when they
had crucified Jesue, took bis garments
and made four parts, to every soldier
part; his coat Was without seam from
the top throughout; and they said
among themselves: Let us not rend it,
but cast lots for it,"
This solemn scene connects gambling
with the crucifxion on Calvary. Under
the very cross where the son OF man was
dying the speculating disposition OF man
asserted itself. l don't wonder that
they wanted the coat. A legend tells us
that a man, one of those who cast lots.
who had sick child at home, and
knowing that many sick people had
been healed by merely touching the
hem of his garment, was anxious to win
the coat that he might wrap his little