The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-28
PRACTICE YOUR THEOLOGY.
1 Strong Plea loi the Application Of
Religion in The Daily Lie.
EFFORTS TO RESTRICT MINISTER'S.
And the Discussion Of Propriety and Good
Taste In the Face of a Dying World.
Better To Bc Irrcgulsrly
Saved Than Regularly
Damned. D."

conversation had with a lady in a store,
in which. after talking for some time on
church matters. she, remarked to the
salesman. From theology 10 reality
give me some eggs" Dr. Young said
that this remark. made. Of course, with
out much Thought. represented fairly
the ideas that prevailed IN regard to
things religious. The. cloth and butter
and money are the real things the i'm
portant things; the great truths of
revelation we. think of as dreams, as
impractical
10 large extent. the Church IS TO
blame for the prevalence OF this way OF
viewing things. We have been so
busy looking after our orthodoxy That
We have Tailed IA the application Of the
teachings Of GODS Word 10 human needs
and problems. We have had a faith
that IL would apply Itself. That our
theology should Doe orthodox Is amatter
Of no small importance. as man thinks
in rs heart so is ne. but II Is OF
a. much importance That the theology
should be real should address Itself to
our lives and control our conduct.
OF what use are correct views Of the
Trinity. of the atinement. OF Christ. Of
the organization OF the Church II the
man who holds them does not feel the
power of Christ IN his life? We need
d gospel that men can take mold OF.
neftor "A creed that omits some Jot.
provided il makes the man Christ-like.
than ono that dots every J, and leaves
the sinner as hc was before. 1T is
better" as thc.Old clergyman said. ITO
be irregularly saved than TO be rcgu-
larry damned our seminaries TOO
Frequently forget. while they are drilling
our young men I'm the heresies OF the
inst four Christian centuries, those prom
lens ol sociology and of the industrial
world which are reaching out their hands
10 SO many o. MS who bear the vcsscise
OF tho Lord and stretching them out
ia vain We have taken IL for granted
that there must b., disagreement be-
tween the culture and the science Of
the age. on the one hand, and the the
ology. the Interchangeable theology. OF the
Church. ON the othCr when we ought
10 have searched for points Of contact
We ought TO be more bold In our attacks
ON sim and vice wherever found. not
frightened OFF. even by the fact that
II may Turk in the political fold, and
not so anxious 10 get wealth and cul-
ture for their own sake Irrespective Of
the question OF holy living.
M,urYRDoN rnTYrRED II OTHERS.
But the chief trouble is with this sinful,
selfish world. With $50 many hearers
tho most helpful preacher IS the man
who viii let them so on in their SINS
and say nothing about IL. 30 doubtthe
boy who had disoneyed the fathers or
ders would Zoe glad IL he might Dee per-
mitted 90 retire at night, without word
OF reprOof or without punishment OF any
kind Strong efforts are made 10 drive
the preacher from this and that neli'
and 10 conhnc him 90 the narrow range
OF his church where AN our fehslous
affairs are TO Doe conducted. Even ques-
tious of propricty and OF taste are
raised. in the face of dying world need
ing delIvcrauce and help. The Chris
tan world docs not want the principle
OF tine gospel applied 90 business ana
politics and social life. Tor fear there
will he too much loss. Each man might
Doe willing. If every other man would
obey the law of love. but ne is not willing
10 begin and take the consequences
Alartyrdom looks beautiful IN others, but
We are not DESTROYS or being martyrs
ourselves
Religion with most OF us consists in
the worship OF Gods house. and That
We are prone 10 think Of rs am enter
taiumenf. or ass a scdatlVe after week
OF toll. perhaps of dishonesty. or as a
preparation. not Tor this life. but Tor Inc
lfe 90 come have often Thought how
go AiiiNNNfM Niif- iNiIf '1tAAi'N '.N'' Wv
fires of he'll or with the iudgment-seat of
Christ. or warn them by the sudden
deaths that may have occurred when
we ought 10 warn them of the danger
OF being led on the morrow by their
business or their lust into present
damnation. and 10 urge upon them the
sweets of assurance OF acceptance by
Christ.
why SOME ARE is THE CHURCH.
Sometimes we are I'm the church be-
cause OF the traditions Of the family
a.d sometimes because. socially, 10 is
the thin. 10 do 10 is getting to he
fashionable 20 wear tho cross on the
outside We are willing TO do any dis
tasteful thing-even to 20 10 churchill
the world says We must. But the re-
llgion sets as awkwardly upon us as
Saurs armor ON David. or the dress suit |
on the farmer boy al his first tea.
Still. We are not 90 forget that I'm |
sense. the remark of my friend has
much truth I'm H. We are dealing with |
theories of life when in the church; on !
the morrow we face real things. We
preachers forget this very often. and so |
we fail 20 reach the real issues of life. |
We are Cleaners. not practical. Very |
few rules can be carried out to the |
letter. Every man knows that i'm every |
calling there IS a wide difference be- |
tween theory ana practice. But l insist |
that 10 obey Gods law is possible Yet |
there are many keeping the law OF God |
who know but little Of our many the |
cries They are like the mother who
can work her boys problems in arith- |
metic for him. but does not know tho |
rule Many who cannot answer the 1
questions IN the catechsm know whom /
they have believed: know they could |
die for Him-better stlll. they live for |
Him.
one other thing / must insist upon be- |
fore close Gods moral law Is as
real as the laws Of nature. Heaven as !
real as earth. eternity as real as time.
Indeed. when Heaven and earth pass |
away. Gods Word shall not pass.
Before the sermon. DR. Young gave |
some account Of how appointments are |
made i'm the Methodist Church. deprecated |
the much discussion Of this question. so /
long before conference. and urged upon |
hts hearers that in this as well as in /
an other affairs OF the Church, God both /
rules and oVerrules.
nc.n Barrett'> Sermon,