The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-07-16

Gays Ihe Soul requires lnStruC'
tion-Nature Has Offered No Rem
edy for Sinners-Those Who Refuse
or Neglect All the Means of lnstruc-
ton
Rev, ID. NJ. Kinter preached an ex-
cellent sermon at the Providence Chris
tian church yesterday morning upon
Importance OF Soul Instruction" anC
based his remarks upon Prov, XIV, ~.
He began his discourse by remarking
that man had been 50 constructed by
the Creator as both to require aud de-
sire instruction. All men come into
the world ignorant Of our ori gin. oul
present existence and our destiny. We
know rot our right hand from our left
and our intellect from necessity must
be an absolute blank. Continuing, he
said:
The mind must be informed OF all things
pertaining to life and to godliness, time
and eternity The hands must be prac-
ticed to labor and the mind must also be
trained to reason.
The text refers to three things. First,
instruction for the soul. 1t is in state of
spiritual darkness, but it must be borne in
mind that this is not accidental that We
came into the world ignorant-blt natu.
raj and not partially so, but universally
applicable to the whole human race.
Darkness covered the whole earth anG
gross darkness the people" All therefore
need instruction; but some are quicker Of
apprehension to receive aud quicker il
perception in observing than others, but
God has provided instruction.
First-By His works of creation ant
providence "the heavens declare the glory
Of God. aud the armament showeth Hi,
handiwcrk." "For the invisible things OF
Him from the creation of the world are
clearly seen, being understood by the
things that are made even His eterna
power and Godhead."
Second--In His blessed word there is
full revelation Of His mind recorded fo
our learning, "For whatsoever thing
were written afore time were written fo
our learning that we through patience
| and comfort of the Scripture might have
hope" The Scripture was able to make u
wise, hence the necessity for revelation
No REMEDY BY NATURE.
Nature offered no remedy for sinners
no panacea for all the evils, no hope be-
yond the vale Of tears but the Bible wa.
the hope of eternal life to make US wis
unto salvation.
Thirdly, by the preaching Of the gospel,
GO teach etc" Ministers are sent I,
turn men from their darkness. What i
preaching? st Mark said: "Go unto al
the world and preach the gospel, this wa
! a command not to preach philosophy
theories or new ideas but 1.-The gospel
To preach THE word" and not the fables
| of men, not the speculative theology but
the pure aud uuaduterated word of Christ
| The gospel of personal salvation through
faith in II personal Saviour. This trutl
should be burnt into the hearts of mel
| its true meaning.
Some refuse or neglect ali the means o
instruction. They neither read study, re-
fleet or hear with attention and som
never learn the truth. Some refuse t.
consider instruction. Israel doth no
know, my people doth not consider.
Others refuse to obey the instructions
they read and hear but they are not wis
and remain disObedient to the authority o
God, Hearers but not doers, etc.
But what is the folly and evil Of such
refusalg For an uninstructed soul is:
First-In state OF degradation instruc
tion eIevateS the soul whilst Ignorance
degrades
SeCond-An ignorant soul Is necessarily
unhappy. How many deplore the vast
of their time in their younger days and il
not having applied their minds in tn
golden days Of youth to profitable study
No dount many had poor opportunitie
and make IL their excuse but even the
they mlsused the small opportunities the
had. How much, therefore more import
ant it is to seriously think of the grea
number that will deplore in eternity thei
negle1t of study of the Bible AS thousand
do when they come to a dying bed? Woul
they, If they had the opportunity ono
more seize it with avidity? The proof o
it, said the preacher, would be for thos
with the remainder Of life before them t
eagerly study the Bible and seek this II
struction.
IGNORANCE THE DEATH OF THE Soul
Third-For an uninstructed soul wi
evidently be lost. my people perish for
lack Of knowledge" Ignorance he EN-
phasized, is the poison, the disease I'll
death OF the soul.
Fourth-How foolish and wicked it
therefore to refuse instruction, and o.
pecally II you consider further:
First-That our souls are capable Of VI
bounded and everlasting Improvement
Heaven is not place of inactivity; it Is
place of perpetual unfolding OF the bette
powers OF man free from the cares an
sorrows OF this life, and in hell no progre
Was made, but an eternal night of dark
ness.
Second-That they are indescrlbabl
precious in the estimation of DEVILS ange
and of their Creator.
Third-That they have been redeeme
by Christ's unspeakably precious blood.
Fourth-That they are destined to liv
forever
Fifth--If lost through ignorance the
will be totally, eternally and irrepaTabl
lost.
Sixth'-These souls too are ours "his ow
soul" so that to lose our own soul is sci
murder, the wilful destruction Of our haI
piness and peace forever.
These considerations should urge us b
the necessity of continual growing i
grace and knowledge OF the Christ; to
proper heart culture; to habits Of study
proper thoughts-to educate ourselves 10
the society Of the redeemed. Iu concludin
with powerful peroratiou, the reveren
gentleman remarked Brethren, how is
with you? Doyou desire Instruction. 10,
it and receive it? Are you improving you
opportunities to the best Of your abIitie
Are you daily famiiarizing yourself wit
the word Of God? Do you study God
nature, in providence in revelationP Hav
you regular hours or special times for me,
itating upon Gods word? Do you cry al
ter knowledre-search for it as for hidde
treasures9 Have you, my friend, any col
ception Of the value Of your soul2 Wi
you not today act the part Of wisdom an
accept Of the invitation of the grei
Teacher, and may the Lord help us all
learn of Him and obey His instruction.
$4,000 School House No 81,