The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-04-09
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH APRIL 7

The service at the Presbyterian
church last Sabbath morning was at
tended by a large and appreciative
audience. The pastor, THE Rev. Lid
deli, spoke from Luke 8, 10.
After a brief review of THE political,
social and moral conditions of the
Jewish nation, the pastor sought to
set forth the true intent of Johns
ministry, as contrasted with the gross
ly materlalistic notions of the people.
The Baptist came to prepare the
way for THE establishment of the Mes
sialh's Kingdom, by inaugurating a
great mortal reformation. The king
dom was not a political one, but one
of purity, and righteousness. The
proud must be humbled; wrongs must
be righted; oppression must give way
to equity and Justice. By this SER
mon he introduced the Christ, behold.
the Lamb of God" He must increase,
but 1 must decrease"
His mode of speech and the charac-
ter of his auditors, seeing the Phari-
sees and Sadducees coming to him In
great numbers, seeking Ito take promi-
hence in this new and popular move
ment, and knowing their character,
and the g-rossness of their hearts, he
addressed them with the words of the
text: 20, generation of vlpers, who
hath warn you, etc." This kind of
talk would hardly be tolerated today,
prove a sure Indication of a short pas
torate. These broad-churchmen of
Ohrist's day, with all their rationalis-
tic proolivities, and all their Sancti-
monious Righteousness, didn't like Ut.
Generation of Vipers!' 1t is a hard
name. But the race Is scarcely yet
extinct; today, amid all our boosted
nineteenth century light, and Chris
tian truth, their progeny walks the
earth under the same cloak. Since the
Baptlst's day this history has been
repeated in every generation. There
fore, examine yourselves, and see
whether we be in the faith.
Johns challenge and demonstrating
forth fruits meet for repentance" This
is the divine demand today Miami
fest by some u~mnistakable evidences
your sincerity" Pleasant generalities
flashing SPARKS of oratory, honeyed
platitudes, sparkling inteIlectualisms,
beautiful and empty nothings, which go
far to entertain and satisfy esthetic
tastes and fanctes, are not the kind of
thing to meet the demand. These are
mere skeletons of dry bones, and how
ever beautiful their ~trapptngs of sta
lion or social position, they lack heart
and soul and life. Bvince your sweet
ness by holy fruits.
Warning-'Now THE * is laid at
the roots of the trees, etc" This Is the
principle of measurement among men
the world over. In politics, the ma
tional political tree has not, it is said,
born good fruit, hence it is foretold
that i'm 1896 DIT twill be hewn down
and cast into the fire" Thus DIT was
with Tammany. Thus DIT with be with
the municipal tree of Astoria. Good
fruits, or be hewn down and cast into
the fire. In society, not Parnell,
Breckenridge, and Oscar Wilde. BE
sure your sins win find YOU out" In
business-It is good fruits, honesty.
integrity, industry, or the tree is hewn
down. The same principle applies to
spiritual conditions, yet men try to
hide themselves from Gods demands.
The incisIons of the lancet are never
pleasant. Truth to a guilty conscience
is never welcome. But without these
the disease Will eve be cured; the
soul win never be saved. Now also
the axe is laid at the roots of the
trees. Every tree. therefore, which
bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn
down and cast into the fire.