Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-12-30
LAST OF THE YEAR.
a Timely Discourse by DR.. Cunningham
Last Night.

Last Night.
The First Presbyterian Church was
comfortably filled last evening to listen
TO the last Sabbath sermon Of the year.
Rev. DR.. D. A. Cunningham delivered
a thoughtful and impressive discourse,
taking as his text q part Of the tenth
verse of the second chapter of LIST Peter:
In times past This phrase, SAID
Dr. Cunningham, is a very common
one n the New Testament, and was used
often by the apostles with great force
and effect in the scriptures. Peter used
the expression twice in his first Epistles,
and others Of Gods chosen have made
use with telling effect OF the words Of
the text.
These words are very appropriate as
we ccme 10 the close of this year. Be
fore another Sabbath comes a new year
will have appeared, with all its trials,
hardships and enjoyments, a year un-
known, untried. We cannot go back
over the past; we cannot put ourselves
where we were twelve months ago. The
wheels of the chariot time move only
forward, never back, over the months
or years past. That period in time is
gene.
We may contemplate the past from
various sJandpoints and positions. In
the first place, it may be a comfort to
many that the year past has gone, never
10 return. Our experience may have
been such that We are glad the old year
has gone. We may feel toward the
closing year like one who first steps mis-
foot after a long sea voyage on the
land or Ike one who has come out
with his life and limbs saved from a
railroad accident. The scenes and in
cldents Of the year may have been such
that We are glad that they and time is
past Our work and trials may have
been such that we gladly welcome the
passage Of time to the realms of the
past
Others may have been so afflicted with
sickness, disease and that condition of
Their friends now recovered that they
contemplate that which has gone by
with much pleasure and solace. Some
also have had a fierce fight with tempta-
ton in its many forms and weakened
by the fight, but victorious, they are
rightly glad that it is all over. and in
this connection it is pleasant for us all
to think that no matter what may be
the future trials, hardships and tempta-
tons, those of the past will never again
have to be encountered.
In the second place the past is full Of
solemnity. Many things which have
taken place we wish had been other
wise made more solemn by the fact
that they cannot be altered in deed or
effect We can always see the point
more wildly after it has gone by. and
therefore see more plainly where we
have been to blame. We can tell now
where and how we missed doing good
and we have to mourn over the fact that
many or our sacred resolutions have
not been kept They cannot be altered
now. but opportunities can never be
recalled. You cannot 80 back and undo
the iollies OF the past few months or
the year The past events are fixed and
cannot be amended, but we can confess
our miSdeeds and ask the forgiveness
OF God. We may be forgiven for all
OF eternity, although such acts of omis-
sion and commission cannot be can
celled.
God has given us something to DO in
the past and the day for its consum-
nation and the day we have carried
out his commands may be looked upon
by us now with solemn regret. Re-
member that the steps you have taken
cannot be taken again, and let them
for the future be in the right. Let
your aspirations be for the service Of
God.
In the third place, the thought of the
text is full Of admonition for the future.
The year coming VIII never return.
so our acts and deeds should be such
that we can look back upon them from
eternity without blush. Do not lose
a single moment in the year coming.
No man has a right to use them for
himself and leave God out but meet
every duty as Christian and let your
work be in the service Of the Lord.