The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-02-19
TIE SPIRITUAL BILL OF FARE,
Chunks Of Wisdom ant
Thoughts Of Heaven.
Rev. 4. S. Clark breaches to a
Large Congregation
AZ Cheist ch-Ep;scopai-Kev. H.
". Cra9be's Views on Various
MAtters--Ksv. Bane and
O:E ST Services.

There WAS a large congregation at
Jhrist'e Episcopal church yesterday
morning to listen to the sermon by the
rector, the Rev. Alfred S. CLARK. The
music was not OF 80 elaborate chRrac-
Ter as generally given, as the work OF
.he choir is always more subdued dur
ing the lenten season, but was neverthe-
less Of a high order. Mr.. Clark preached
The fret of series Of three sermons on
the twenty fourth verse OF the sixteenth
chapter of St. Matthew. The portion OF
the verse taken was, Let him deny
himself" but the speaker gave literal
Translation, Deny thyself.
DENY thyeeli will be enough for this
morning. The balance can be consld'
cred ct other times. How grievously
have these words been misinterpreted.
The history OF Christian asceticism furn-
ishee the answer. With the exception OF a
few bright spots here and there the
effort of monk and anchorite to reallze
the ideal here presented was almost
failure. For it is not OF necessity in
cum bent on one to forswear conditions,
circumstances and surroundings to live
mn to the essential spirit herein inculca-
ted. The monastic life drifted into mere
denial Of the social relations OF LIE and
finally conferred ali OF its austerity
within it's own breast.
We are to deny ourselves as Christ de-
MED self. He could have remained in
exclusion instead OF appearing in public;
Little Nazareth was more congenial
spot thar the streets OF great Jerusalem:
The carpenter trade was more sure OF
linn Or hos nj alitU nv the
way. Home and friends we're as dear
to Him as saints and Pharisees, pub
licans and sinners. You know how and
what He chose. The finer sense OF
things uneeen-the deeper meaning OF
things evident. In fact men have to
choose some lower loss for higher gain.
At the opening of manhood's life when
the future ia projected on the far
horizon, whatever ones ideals OF sue
cess may be, there must be curtailmsnt,
diminution and sacrifice. Likewise on
li!e's ocean when storms threaten to en-
gulf-overboard with the cargo, freight is
sacrificed to the preservation OF Lille.
Denial is a principle OF life. 70 be OF
the highest value it should not be OF
necessity, but of ones own free choice.
1t ia not merely to escape peril, but to
develop character. 1t all comes back in
power and force, in sweetness and life.
Strength, nobleness, purity are all thus
obtained. "Giving up" is a great les
eon and great acquisition.
You would know perhaps why the
road to safety ia through peril, why the
copsolation of the gospel is in the fur.
mace of affiiction, why the royal crown
and throne are won by crosses and by
thorns. Did you ever know of anything
grand, noble, sublime or ingenious thai
WAS won, inVentad, achieved or discov
cred, but through privations OF hear
and body, through the toiling strain o
brain and muscle, through the agony o
alternate hope and fear, through the
crimson gore of mems life blood? From
the precious metal that decks the woman
with golden ornament and furnishes one
OF the mediums for commercial exchange
to the coal that warns our bodies, drives
our mills and carries rs with speed alonG
the iron rRil-from the delicate lace tina
wears out in its manufacture the weav
er'a eyes, to the crops OF grain thai
sweat in their cultivation the farmers
brow-from the infant peacefully rest
ing on the mothers breast to the bridge
that spans the flowing stream with the
cantilever truss, all demanded something
OF the very best, the most precious
Thcy took the dearest price from tn
stamina OF human hearts and bodieI
even with the trainers Of our American
government. On Thursday next WI
celebrate the birthday of the Father o
his Country. With what mental strain
amidst such trying perplexities, sur
rounded by 80 many difficulties did they
mould the charter of the country
freedom and shape the laws for tn,
peoples safety and hsppinessl How
beautifully the poet expresses the ides
when speaking OF our country under tht
figure of the Ship of State, he cries out,
"on what an anvil, in what heat.
We're forged the anchors of tiny fate"
What uacredness surrounds the tomb
OF the Christian martyr! What mem
cries arise from the grave OF the patriot
What fearless CONFESSIONS; what un
selfish devotion mark the lives of earth
best and noblest! Self-sacrificing devo
ton for country and for church, fo
home and for people, always command
respect and affection; "For greater love
hath no man than this, that a mar
should lay down his life for the breth
rem" In the sweetness OF self-sacri-
fee in the endless giving OF our bes
powers; of the hearts blood offerin,
freely given, let ia seewhat can sweeten
every toll, every affection, every perse
cution. True will it be to the latest pos
terity of woman born. inst she who'C
win the martyrs crown must wear tht
martyrs shroud." We'll has the poei
caught the master'espirit when he says
Confirm the lesson taught of old,
Life saved for self is lost, while they
Who IL in His service hold