The Washington times., 1894-08-13
COMPROMISING WITH DUTY.

DR.. Dodd's Instructive Address Before the
| Young Mems Christian Association
on On Interesting Thesis.
The Rev. DIR. Charles II. Dodd, of Pedie
Memorial Baptist Church. Newark, N. j., de
livered an entertaining and instructive ad-
dress yesterday afternoon at the hall of the
Young Mems Christian Association. After
| the usual devotional exercises tho speaker
| was introduced by Assistant Secretary Harris.
Dr. Dodd congratulated tho association on
the large number present rs pleasing indi-
| cation of the good work being done by the
local association.
He selected for the theme OF his discourse
| that part of the story of Naaman as related in
ii Kings, in which the lcper compromised
with his duty to God. His subject. thespeaker
said, might be termed the Christians caveat.
He explained the legal technical meaning OF
caveat. and, applying it to the relations Of
the Christian to Christ, said:
1T means stay OF proceedings before the
Master, hesitation, a compromise, an un-
willingness to surrender personal feeling and
ambition to the duty that alone insures an
eternal reward"
The chief illustration of the position DR..
Dood drew from the story OF Naaman and his
lapse from faith after his restoration In the
Jordan.
''Naaman's condition after his cleansing
from leprosy may be pictured" said the
speaker. 'as one endowed with new powers.
He was inclined to lavish wealth upon Elisha
and to do him great honor. He was indeed
happy in his new estate. He was the type OF
a convert. but over the proud picture drifted
little cloud. He suddenly thinks of the life
before him; OF his duty to heather king, OF
his reverence for the idols in the temple OF
Rimmon, in fine he thinks that allegiance to
his king and his idols will be incompatible
with his allegiance TO the true God. What
then shall he do? He files his caveat his pro-
test against Jehovah. II was the one unfortu-
nate reservation he had made. He fell from
faith again. as was to be expected from one
who held back something when he osteusibly
surrendered himsslf and nil his soul TO God"
The speaker further illustrated his meaning
by adducing the case of the young ruler who
askei Christ what he should do to inherit
eternal life. The reply was TO sell all he had
for the benefit Of the poor and 10 follow the
Master. The young man undoubtedly felt
the truth and force of the advice of Christ,
but he was not ready to make the sacrifice on
the instant. He desired 20 put it of till some
future time. some more opportune season. He
filed his stay OF proceedings and lost the life
eternal. 1t was the soul, he said. that Dante
was supposed to describe when he speaks of
lone like dry leaf tossed about by every
breeze in the autumn"
The speaker then referred to the evil of
shifting of responsibility in matters affecting
personal salvation, and on this line he pre-
sented several practical illustrations within
his personal experience.
He next referred 20 the lack of thorough
ness in practical Christianity. He noted that
prayer-meetings were not as well attended as
they should be, because men were so busy. so
much taken up with the pleasures and the
burdens of their own lives that they have en-
tered their caveat in the matter OF serving the
Lord Jesus Christ. So. too, the attendance
upon the Sunday-schools was not what it
should be. because the temptations to other
wise spend the Sabbath were so numerous
and spread like snares for the unwary. "It
seems as if in the struggle between the soul
and the Saviour. caveats are numerously
filed. the soul seeking. asking ease, luxury.
indulgence. and the Saviour urging a life Of
devotion to duty.
''Naaman's cavcat was a type the very an-
tithesis of faith and no wonder that he drifted
back into his pagan faith"
Concluding DIR. Dodd said: "Brethren.
cling unto the Lord God. Those are the
simple words 1 bring to you Ny heart is in
1t. l feel it deeply as the supreme necessity
of my own faith as cling to Christ in single
ness Of purpose. His blessing stays with me
always and pray that We all be whole hearted,
unreserved disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ,
without a caveat, without a stay of proceed
ings."
DIR. Dodd spoke with an earnestness that
compelled attention. and his discourse was
thoughtful and filed with lessons OF practical
instruction.
On Tuesday evenings, this month. addresses
will be delivered by various members of the
Brotherhood OF st. Andrew.
On the 18th instant the address will be by
the Rev. H. F. Stillwell. of Freehold, N. j.,
and on the 26th instant by the Rev. ]. g.
chaplain Minnesota Brigade,
Knights of Pythias.