The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-01-01
NEW YEARS SERMONS.
Balancing Up, or A Retrospect--A Happy
New Year and How to Keep It 30.
PRESBYTERIAN U

Theme: Looking Backward" Text:
Luke XIII, l6.
Retrospect 10 often wholesome. The
review OF our life at stated times is II
practice that cannot be too earnestly
commended to old and young. The
pagan god Janus whence our word
january had two faces. So January
while looking forward into the new year
also looks back over the old. We be-
lieve that the first question ever put to
mortal man, the question, "Where art
thou?" asked OF Adam by Jehovah in
Eden, was designed to bring our first
parents to determination and retro
spect. School examinations are revel-
atoms. They have the effect OF bring
ing a student to his senses. They show
him either what he can do or what he
ought to have done. liz he has faith
fully mastered the daily tasks OF the
past term he does not dread the examin-
alton. The examination rather reveals
to him his own powers OF study and
acquisition and imparts to him self-reli-
ance for the future. But il the terms
studies have been neglected, the lessons
skinned or crammed, il the pupils mind
has been upon the tennis-court or the
skating-rink more than upon his books,
an examination usually punctures the
hollow brain, the pupils standing suf-
fers a collapse, and as a result he 'goes
to his own place" in the class below.
Reviews are wholesome both intel
lectually and morally. Philip Dod-
bridge was in the habit of asking him.
self a set of questions every night before
he retired. Philip Doddridge was one
Of the most eminent and successful
preachers and teachers of his generation.
| He wrote a book, "The rise and progress
of religion in the soul" which, when read
by William WIlberforce the leader OF
the movement in Great Britain to
abolish the slave trade, led to the con
version OF that great statesman and
philanthropist. The Judgement Day
will be one great review and examination
of the many millions of mankind before
the Divine Judge of us all.
Merchants balance their books at the
close of the year and take an accoun OF
stock. So should We take an inventory oil
our moral and spiritual possessions. We
should find out our latitude and longi-
tude on this great ocean of human life
on which we are toiling lest we drift out
Of the true course and miss the de.
sired haven. What progress have we
made the past year? Where are we to.
to-day? Whittier are we bound?
The Great teacher tried to induce
such a temper Of mind in the jews o.
his day. A great deal of his instruction
had for Its object the formation OF habits
of introspection by those to whom it was
addressed. Judge not that We be moi
judged" Except we repent, ye shall
all likewise perish" A whole passage o.
discourse in the sneighborhood of the
passage from which | have chosen m,
text is full of the idea of accountability
and the necessity of being ready at an.
moment to make a good report, bring il
a good account when summoned to thu
bar OF our Divine Judge. To emphaslz'
aud illustrate this thought He speak
the parable OF "the barren fig-tree.'
Read it.
L. CHURCH.
"A Happy New Year How to b.
sure of 1t. Philip, 4-6, Z. How can ",
be best assured OF a happy New Year
We may commence it with an unbrokel
family, a comfortable competency, al
unblemished reputation, a wide and ap
preciative circle of friends, and tn
brightest of worldly prospects, and alas
all be changed ere the year closes. Their
is no year in which upwards OF 100000
do not die! A person a secondl $500
each day! Then, too, think OF the bus
failures, the disasters, the disgraces, tn
! distinctions OF property! Many hav
their prospects blighted. You may b
. the victim in 1894; then will it be
l Happy New Year? 1t may be. A bus
ness has paraphrased our text thu
anxious for nothing prayerful in ever,
: thing, thankful for anything" TIL
Paul assures US will bring peace to min
q and heart. liz the thoughts are RICH
o and the affections properly directed the
we will be happy, let come what will.
l. Anxious for nothing. In til
Gree,x Paul really said be ''over-anxiout
! for nothing. Do not @become di
= tracted." In the 10th verse be cor
q mends a certain c~arefulness, which W
"to be mindful of" "thoughtfulness
so that we know he is not advocating
needless improvidence.
Almost everybody must plead gull
r to The charge of owe anxiety at tim
. Human life is made comparatively M
cradle, unsuccessful and short, becau
4 OF worrying.