The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-10-02
DIR. HUTCHINS SERMON.
THE ABLE DIvINE's ANSWER TO
APOLoGIsTS.


At Central Union Church Sunday
evening DR.. Hutchins preached from the
text, "And They All With One Consent
Began to Make Excuse Luke 4:lS.
He said
The Jews as well as the Greeks and
Romans were accustomed to take their
principal meal at the close of The day.
The evening hour afforded them cool
ness and the leisure for indulgence. The
supper of the parable was evidently an
elaborate and costly feast, for it is called
a great supper and it is declared that
many were hidden. Invitations had
been previously issued and at the COM
pletion of the arrangements the an
nouncement was made to every guest,
"Come, for the supper is ready" This
style OF double invitation still continues
in the Orient, and to refuse attendance
when thus invited is now, as anciently
regarded, great insult to the host.
But the guests in the parable all with
one consent began to make excuse.
Because men have less relish for
spiritual things than for things tenn
poral. Christ makes this banquet repre-
sent the blessedness and gladness and
hope of the provisions of the gospel.
The parable refers specially to the jew
ish nation, to which the divine invita-.
ton was repeatedly extended. Priest
and Levite, Scribe and Pharisee, had
with one consent begun to make ex-
cuses and their apologies are all in
valid. But there is secondary re-
ference in this parable to all who refuse
to come to the gospel feast, in all
nations and ages.
No feast was ever spread at such a
cost, even the cost of Chrst's sorrowful
life and sacrificia death. Over and
over again through the ages the invita-
ton has been issued. There is not a
soul here to night but has heard the
announcement. "Come for all things are
ready" ami vet it is true now, as
anciently, that men begin to make ex-
cuses, and the excuses that are offered
for the non-acceptance of salvation are
all unworthy and invalid.
| One in response to the invitation an
swers, "Religion would mar my youth
| full pleasure; l expect to become a
Christian some time, but l don't intend
to have my youth made somber by the
seriousness of religion"
Suppose it to be true that religion
would not only mar but ruin your
worldly pleasures. Are we not accus-
toned to praise men who make great
sacrifices for great ends? Has not the
world concluded to honor Moses, who
preferred to suffer affection with the
people of God rather than enjoy the
pleasures of sin for season, having
regard for the recompense of reward!
And is the her bic spirit dead out of the
world? Is there no one in the rising
generation willing to take up his cross
and follow the Lord Jesus Christ? MAJ
your youthful pleasures! Upon my
word, l would be glad to wear rags fol
one day If L might be clad like prince
for the remainder of my life; would
be willing to feed upon crusts for one
day if | might ever afterwards be
seated at a royal table; would live in
"a fishermans hut for one day if
might ever afterwards dwell in g
palace. And so i say that it would b,
prudent and sagac GUS for any young
person to suffer, were it necessary, al
present privation of worldly pleasure
for the beauty and efficiency of the
Christian character in mature life anC
for the blessedness of the everlasting
life.
But will it mar your youthful pleas
ures to come into sympathy with TIN
sweetest and teDderest of friends
friend that sticketh closer than
brother? To model your character ate
the most perfect character that has eve
been known in human history? T.
/: take the maxims of the gentle, lovint
Christ as the guiding principles of you
life? Mar your youthful pleasures t
! come into harmony with the laws O
: God? To nave your sins forgiven an
feel the condemnation lifted from you
= soul? Mar your youthful pleasures t
have all things work, and work Cogethe
for good in your behalf because 20
love God? Mar your youthful pleasure
to see the pearly gates swinging ope
e before you with the assurance of a
abundant entrance!
n But YOU reply, shall l not need
make sacrifices if become a Christian
Yes, you will, but God pity you if 20
l. have not learned that sacrifice for OH
d whom you greatly love is the creates
of earthly Joy. God fences US ava
L only from tine things that threaten OF
= wellbeing, the berries that woul
poison us, the precipices over which "
should fall to our ruin. Is 1t hare
ship that he permits us to not bruise an
81 break ourselves upon our sins! Ask u
most devoted CHRISTIAN whether h
~ youthful pleasures were marred by h
conservation to Christ. He will answe
Light is sown for the righteous, al
gladness for the upright in heart"
The speaker then answered in su
II cession the following excuses; THE
is time enough yet; 81 have no time,
am preoccupied"; MANY of the repr
hypocritical"; II have no religious fee
ing; | do not understand the do
tfines"; II am afraid l could not no
out"
he He closed by asking those who p'
sisted IN eXcusing themselves from /
Gospel feast to retire to their homes a
III solemnly write down their reasons, a
re TO fly to these reasons for soldce VIII
IN the future conscience should upbra
them, to comfort themselves in tn
bereavement by reading over their r.
III sons; to console their days of sickn
by having their reasons read to the
to pillow their dying heads upon tn
an reasons, aud at last to go up to /
o." Judgment seat of God and present
the Righteous Judge their reasons.
oy
Married Monday Evening.
Mr. William White, purser of
fin steamer w. G. Hall, and Miss Adal
Bruins were married at the residence
the hrile's narenIs Nnnann street NJ