Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1895-01-17
WATCHEULNESS.'
Text and Subject of Rev. Stewart Nc
Queens Sermon in st. Epis-
copal church Sunday Morning.

queen sermon IN st. stephens Epis-
copaI church sunday Morning.
Blessed be the Lord Who Da1y Leudeh
as ruth Benefits, Eren the God Of or Sal
ttti0t-Psalm 6S. Verse 10.
Recently we have entered upon new
year. Therefore it is proper to say
something suggested thereby. 1t is "a
period in our lives calculated to make
uspause. Weshould glance backward
upon the road we have come and see
whether we have always followed the
direct path. We should determine for
the remainder of the journey before us
to avoid the mistakes of the past.
In George Remnants graphic story Of
the Siberian eXiles there Is a most pa
thetic passage. 1t is where he de-
scribes the arrival of the rain of pris-
oners at the pillar marking the boun-
Diary line between Europe and Asia.
He tells us how they cling to the stone
with tears and kisses until driven on
beneath the lash of the merciless
guards.
Such a Boundary Stone is the New
Year to each and all of us. Behind US
we leave all the known and familiar.
We leave the days which were full of
contented labor at cOngenial work.
We leave the joys which were shared
by'those dear to us, How often men,
DRY returns to it, But, Time-Inore re-
l~entless than the Russian soldier even,
allows US not a moments pause. He
hastens us on toward that Mysterious
Land. which holds for each of us a
grave.
The message to each of us for the
New Year may we'll be, Watchfulness.
Each has some special weakness, some
besetting sin to overcome and now is d
good time to set about the task, Be
watchful oven yourself to-day and to-
morrow. 1t Will be that much easier
to avoid temptation from day to day
throughout 1895.
Let the Coming Year have in store
for us what it may, as Christians striv-
ing to follow in the footsteps of our Di-
vine Master we can be invigorated by
the thought, BLESSED be the Lord,
who daily leadeth us with benefits,
even the God of our Salvation.' When
we realize our daily benefits and con-
trast them with what would be our
condition if we received what we de-
served. we are forced to cry with the
Psalmist: 20, how great is the sum
of them. if | should count them, they
are more in number than the sand"
Fromothe Holy Spirit who daily n
tiers our souls with His holy movings,
INV LII I'LL ~ w - - AhO "IiO
leads us to do the things that are right,
1t is He who prompts us with the reso-
luton to repent of what we have done
amiss. It is He who gives us strength
to work out our salvation. How then
can we fail to be grateful that God has
spared us to enter upon another year
of life?
His benefits are both temporal and
spiritual. Consider first the temporal.
~ ~o, +la+ - xop1 dow a1nu, ,1O
ment of our existence depends upon the
continued power and energy of God. If
he ceases for one instant to maintain
our life, we must perish. We can no
more deserve our being han we could
originally give existence to that being.
Again, VINO can express in words the
infinite JOY of living. Who is grateful
enough for seeing the Heaven born
light which floods the earth, grateful
enough for breathing the free all
around US, for gazing upon he varied
scenery of nature? Who appreciates
as he ought the happiness there is il
action, business, activity the charms OF
social intercourse; the sweet repose af
ter the hours of toll are past? Common
blessings you say. Yes, and because
they are We are not CRATE
full enough for them. They came from
God and are dependent upon His con
} tlnual Hence our n6dfUs
should pulsate with renewed gratitude
7 and feel: BLESSED be the Lord wh(
daily leadeth us with benefits, even the
. God of our Salvation"
, Further, how shall mortal man de
} scribe in all their fullness, the spiritpa
blessings given of God? 1t is a daily
j., blessing, for each new sun affords
new opportunity for repentance. How
, many there are who, if they are homes
in self-examination, must 60 s~elf-con
| demned to their rest. But, our H~eavenl,
, Father is ~forbearing and lo~ng-sufferins
toward us, and each new day awakes il
US another opportunity for seeking
sanctified peace, I him that is joined
| to the living there is hope.'.
AS connected with these subjects fol-
gratitude we should also be Thankful
that the offer of Redemption is still
open to us; that the day and o
: which no man knoweth' still leave
i, that offer open. and death has no
! closed it for us individually,
Above all, let our affection for tn,
Most High-whether we be happy o
afflicted be not merely of the lips
, but also of the heart n manifested IL
. the life. Would we love Him VIII,
1 still perpetually continues to love us
be we always mindful that IF we low
t Him we keep His commandments >
and so only, can We follow in the foot
steps of the dear Redeemer, Christ gu
:, Lord. who died upon the cross of Cal
i vary for us and for all mankind.