The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-04-09
TRUE RELIGION.
Az Erpounded From the Pulpits-Mercy
and Not Sacrifos-To the End
God Provides the Means.
pRNspyTERTAN cHURoH.

emperor. On the vessel In which he
sailed there were, all told, ZIG souls. a
storm struck this vessel when sailing TO
the southwark or the Island OF Crete.
No Gun was seen In the sky and no moon
or stars for IA long days and nights.
Some OF the sailors, getting disheart
ened, attempted the ~cowardly act ct
leaving the ship and heading for the
nearest shore 10 the small boat but ST.
Paul told the soldiers: Except these
abide the ship We cannot be saved
Here we have an illustration OF an im-
portant truth found all through the
scriptures, viz. that while God ordains
ends or results TO be accomplished, he
ordains also the means by which these
ends or results are to be accomplished.
l. The church, the ministry, the
world, sacraments, prayer, these we call
the means OF grace. They are the asen-
cies, channels, means, by which salvation
isl dow into the hearts and lives OF men.
The church is called by st. Paul, athe
pillar and ground OF the truth" Tim.
3:15.) Jesus commissioned his apostles
and commissions today their successors
TO 90 INTO all the world and preach the
gospel TO every creature. ut pleased
God by the foolishness of preaching TO
save them that believe" q Cor. 1:2l.1
q. But our salvation il dependent up
on our use OF these divinely appointed
agencies. No other gospel will ave us.
Though we or an angel from heaven
preach any other gospel unto you than
that which we have preached unto you
let him be accursed.p gal. 1:8.p Elk
cept these abide in the ship ye cannot
be saved Therefore man the ship.
Do not desert her to the fury OF the
storm. Practical thougts: d. Let the
gospel be preached in its purity. ut is
the power OF God unto salvation unto
every one that believeth." Stand by the
preacher when he delivers the whole
counsel of God. ~ Do your whole
duty as elder, trustee, deacon, singer,
Sa bbata school teacher, ~janitor. Work
the gospel ship. Keep up both spiritual
and temporal side OF church work.
This is necessary TO the churchis
efficiency as diyinely appointed agency
in the salvation of the world. Except
these abide in the ship ye cannot be
saved
8. Not only officers but crew must
aabide in the Ship "To every man his
work" Not all are captains or pilots.
lin a ship some must reef the sails, turn
the windlass, scrubthe deck, mend the
ropes. Are you as a church member
dong something to increase the working
efficiency of your church.
4. Nor must the source Of real power
be lost sight of by any OF US. The word
OF God which, like an electric battery 10
charged with omnipotent energy, the
sacrament by which Christ draws SO
near to the recipient soul, and prayer,
aThe Christians vital breath, the Chris
tian's native air." Use these means OF
or ace diligently.
D. If abiding in the ship ID so
necessary to salvation, getting aboard
the ship certainly is. Out of Christ
there is no possibility OF salvation.
How shall we escape il we n~eglect?"
M. e. CHURCH.
Morning subject: 'sThe Soul of True
Religion" Text, Matt, ola.
Our text, though from the lips of our
Lord, is an Old Testament quotation
and hence comes with double import
ance. Sacrifice here means, slaughter;
a slain animal" relating, OF course, to
religious rights and ceremonies, and APP
plies in our time to prayer. church.
ing, sacraments, and outward profession
generally. There is need OF the observ-
ance of legal and ecclesiastical duties,
but they never must be an excuse for
the neglect OF mercy. /. O., kindness;
beneficence.' Whedon observes, 1T is
d poor piety that attempts TO be q sub
stitute for virtue. Jehovah requires OF
as mercy like Christ's, rather than sac
rifice like the Pharisses."
We should show mercy as follows:
1. Common brotherhood. Christ
had been dining with '~'publicans and
sinners and the Pharisees criticized
him for it. He came ssnot 10 call the
righteous, but sinners to repentance
"To seek and TO save that which was
lost whether jew or Samaritan, or
Barbarian on Greek. He values mercy
for lost humanity, above Pnarisaic Pro-
pristy, or established prejudice. This
was the spirit Of the Great Commission,
OF Pentecost, and OF the Apostolic
church. my brethren have not the
faith OF onr Lord Jesus Christ, with re-
spect OF Sorrow aFor II ye have re-
spect TO persons, ye commit sin, etc.
Lei u resolve, ~.shsnceforth know We 30
man after the fieeh.s
9. Charitable judgments. nJudre