Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-12-17
RELIGIOUS News
ELOQUENT SERMON DELIVERED By REV. DR.
". 8. HAYDEN
Al he Christian Church Yesterday korning-Tri-
buls to Louis Warnscks and Others
0.hsr Church Notes

very feeling mention Of the recent
deaths Of Mr.. Louis Warnecks and also
Of DR.. A. B. Wilkins, OF Harrisville, who
was very we'll known In this city. In
language that was extremely touching
and appropriate he expatiated on the
sterling qualities Of both the above
named estlmable gentlemen who have
so recently passed to the great beyond.
At the conclusion of his eulogistic re-
marks he delivered the sermon, an
extract OF which follows:
This consideration is timely inasmuch
as we are now living Ia the midst Of the
dying. A few days ago two were lying
awaiting the last tender respects from
friends bafore being laid In their final
resting place. To-day severe sickness
taxes the energy and nerve and tries
the reins 10 at least six Of our own fam
lilies and many others not within the
portals OF Christ's kingdom. From the
weakness, suffering, sickness and death
TO which flesh is heir none are exempt,
We are commanded to "re-
deem the time" and yet
there is nothing so irredeemable as
time. Time lent can never be rscoV-
cred. Upon the never-witheriLg tomb
stone OF every misspent hour must be
indelibly inscribed these immortal
words, which are freighted with eternal
truth; Lost, sixty golden moments,
each set with sixty diamond seconds.
No reward is offered for their recovery;
they are gone forever"
The knowledge. the opportunity, the
moment that we seized not on at the
time, never waits on US again. Evil
done Is done forever. But what the
Bible means by redseming time is that
we put forth every effort specially
and strenuOuSly il perchance we
may in some degree repair the
waste OF past years and modify the
future by right living. The days and
years that fit over US into eternity and
bear 70 the mortal throne records of
thoughts asd words and deeds, can
never be repaired, redeemed and re-
lived. But haSty deeds and wasted
words, these angry and unchaS,e
thoughts may be forgiven. That dis
turbed soul may have spoken unto il
these stiliirg words Of the mortal
Christ, peace.
The tears Of yesterday and the fleet
ling hoGrs shall be swept into the crys-
tai fountain of eternal Joy by Gods
own hand. and the throbbing heart and
aching frame OF yesterdays anxiety
aud sorrow shalt find peace, comfort,
Joy aud shelter through our tOiling and
trusting In Jehovah's Christ How soon
will the night be upon US in which no
mans work can be done. Are we
ready for IL? Is life's appointed work
accomplished? Are we ready
for an accounting? Christ has
redeemed eternity unto US.
Shall we not redeem time with
Christ? Life is q trust of sacred aud
infinite importance. It's given US for
q purpose and is not to be idled or
frlttered away. 1t is brief, and yet
eternal issues upon il are pending. 1t
is the vestibuls Of the great auditorium
Of the church triumphant. 1t is the
schoolroom Of preparation from which
we shall graduate into the one active,
useful, perfect life of eternity. 1t is
the first stage Of an endless existence,
yet il will shape and give character to
all that is 10 come hereafter.
By means Of the discordent humping,
drumming, trying and testing Of this life
we are tuned in harmony and sweet
accord with God in his perfect and in
finite being. To misspend life, 70 fail
TO redeem time is to wreck the soul and
blast our eternity. There Is nothing in
Goi's universe more sacred or Of more
value 10 US, or so Ourdened
with duty and responsibility as
these present moments which are
rapidly 1eeting into eternity, as
this transient life which we are now
spending. How 10 make the most OF
II, how to redeem the time is now the
question paramount. To make the
most Of life the end Of II must be kept
constantly in view. A mistake here
will be fatal. There should be an
early and must be an entire consecra-
ton OF it, with all its opportunities and
possibilities TO the service OF Him who
gave II. Every hour should be held
sacred aud invaluable. A thing II
once lost, is lost forever; there
fore, duties that can be done
to-day should never be deferred until
tomorrow. Every day has its own
work and il not done then will never be
done. The apostle here gives q reason
for his exhOrtation: Because the days
are evil" l. g. the present times are
dangerous; they are full Of trouble and
emptations, aud only the watchiul
and diligent have any reason to expect
that they shall keep their garments I'M
spotted.
Redeem the time, because the days
70 evil" "Save yourselves from this
untOward generation, and watch AID
pray lest ye enter into temptation" are
oil 20 the one end that be may not fall
by the way, but may the faithful over
come and receive crown Of life. The
apostle gives this same explanation in
writing TO the Colossians, but
II Is preiaced with walk
ia wisdom toward them that
are without. redeeming the time" Here
attention is called to these without,
away from help. The "Saint is the
sinners Bible" "Ye are epistles,
known and read Of sll men" Therefore
walk circumspectly, not as the foolish,
but as the wise" "for so is the will OF
God that with we'll doing ye may put to
silence the ignorance OF foolish msn."
A third reason for this command may
be found 10 the fact that 'it is appoint
ed unto men once to die, but after this
the Judgment" This, perhaps, is the
prime thought as suggested by the ref.
erence already made TO the condition
surrounding US at this moment Our
entire observation Of the dying, our
whole experience in sickness or disease
warns us Of Boosting Of tomorrow, las
we know not what q day may bring
FORTH