The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-13
NUMBERING our DAYS
Rev. (. |. Mlller'S Sermon at Trinity Evan
sellCal Church.
CONCERNS The SOULS SAFETY
Man Is Proficient in Worldly Things,
but in Spiritual Affairs He Is Poor
Scholar and Cannot Interpret the
Writing on the WaiI--We Fail to
Realize the Import of the Drift Into
Eternity.

A general gloom having been cast
over the congregation Of Trinity Evan
gelical church, corner of Adams ave-
nue. and Mulberry street. by the death
of Miss Edith Croft, the pastor. Rev.
q L. Miller made use Of the prevalent
feeling to emphasize the needfulness Of
Mum mbsring Our Days and preached
upon that topic last evening.
His text was from Psalm xc,, 10, 80
teach us to number our days that we
may apply our hearts unto wisdom" "
Mr.. Miller said:
1t is strange that pursuits which further
mans temporal comfort and prosperity
are far more generally engaged in than
those which concern the safety Of his soul.
In worldly affairs we are proficient schol-
ars; in spiritual things we have barely mas
tered the alphabet. Tue merchant is per-
sistent in his eXertious to master the rules
OF gain and loss i'll order to promote his
trade, while the busy hustle of business
browns the cali Of the still, small voice
which warns that 1t is written: what
shall 1t profit man ii he gain the
whole world and lose his own soul p'
The jurist, who gives his whole atten-
tion to questions of evidence, and who un-
hesitatinRly acts upon principles and pre-
sumptions, too frequently hesitates in ac-
cepting the fact ou which Christianity is
based, the Resurrection; though 1t Is
founded upon the indubitable historical
facts and solid argument The astrono-
mer grows hoary and blind In gazing at the
| planets and yet is not assured that "The
heavens declare the glory Of God; and the
| armament showeth his handiwork" Thus
| it is in every calling OF life.
Nevertheless we are generally such poor
| interpreters OF the writing on the wall
that we rush blindly 'on, needless OF all
| that may hinder us by step in worldly
advancement, until God suddenly checks
Us by some extraordinary visitation in the
form of severe afiiiction, or some milder
means of spiritual awakening. All too
many live as il death ended all, in arro-
CANT defiance OF all pleadjngs Of the cross.
| viii you blindly grOpe your way to your
| death-bed. there TO eXclaim as some wise
| fool has done before you: sit is a great
| pity that / knew not to what end | was
| born into this world until am about to
| leave it."
BARTERING IN JEWELS.
Why do you unlawfulIy speculate with
your days9
Why do you invest your precious hours,
which are in reality not yours but are only
| consigned to your safe keeping, in the un-
stable allurements of tbe worldly future?
You hare infinitely less right to do so than
| a guardian has to invest the money OF an
orphan in unreliable speculations. The
| most careless business man would scarcely
make half so risky an investment with his
money as you do with your time. Secur-
| ity Is usually demanded for every cent,
and so should you for every minute OF
your life.
We are prone to think that ali such
reflections on death and eternity chill the
| geniality OF our natures and If indulged in
very generally would make life miser-
able.
The more men are at enmity with God,
unless utterly lnsensible to spiritual things.
| the more are they distressed with thoughts
| Of the grave What though the considera-
tion Of the end gives the wording the
| most eXcruciating mental torment. 1t Is
well, for SO only may we be led to the fount
of eternal wisdom.
There are those who so soundly sleep in
sin that they never suffer much pain.
| Would you desire this kind Of mental COM
fort? Surely the thought of dissolution is
not pleasant to the Christian, but he re-
members that Christ will walk with him
| through the valley Of death. He knows
that Christ has robbed death Of It's sting,
and that it is between himself and heaven
| that chill Jordan rolls.
The true enjoyment of life Is certainly
possible to Gods people though they fire.
quently mediate on death. The thought
Of the tomb only sheds holy calmness
upon them and makes them kinder,
| gentler, better.