The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-04-03
DIR. BUsHoNG's SERMON.
The Congregation Was Composed
Largely of Young Men.

In spite Of the storm and rain, a
large and intelligent congregation,
largely composed of young men, as
sembled at the NJ e. church, to listen
to DR.. Bushong's THIRD sermon to the
young men of Astoria. The doctor
had selected for his theme, ideals, or
Every Young Man has an Ideal" He
read for his text, Pet, 2:21, leaving
an example We should follow in his
footsteps. Following is brief synop
sis of the sermon:
Birds and beaver never build after
the pattern or models of others, there
fore, they never improve upon the
first nest or dam, while the greater
builders among men have even sought
for a pattern or plan so they might
improve upon the past. Out of this
comes his selection of an ideal, after
which to fashion his life structure. ."
This ideal differs with the various
stages of his development and con-
ceptions of the true values of things
This ideal, whatever it may be, is
found to exert a potent, though silent
influence over him. This is especially
true Of us in the formation period
OF life, hence the great Importance of
this theme, as the ideal is as liable t.
wrong as right had as good. Yet tn
influence of the ideal is just as power
full in the one as in the other. We ar
not to blame for either selecting Oh
modelling after these ideals, but w
are responsible for the kind of ideals
we select. Man has ever had hi.
ideals, and these have had much to
in moulding the public mind and Civ
ing character to nations. In ancient
Greece and Romans greatest glory,
the physical man was placed befor
the youth as his highest ideal; hence
the Olympic games and gladiator.a
fetes were established by law, and the
victors crowned with national honors
The bull fights of Spain and Mexic
were held up in the same light. E
forts even in this enlightened day haV
been made to lionize the victor of tn
brutal prize ring, but to the credit
the good taste of our people be it said
this effort has met with signal failure
Another ideal standard was set
as worthy the imitation ,of every as
plrlng youth, viz. 1.-The lntellectu
giant" at the the expense of bot
soul and body, hence the school of sto
icll philosophy. This ideal, howev
finally degenerated into a kind o.
luptuary ideal, with all the baser Ell
ments of the old epicurean philosopf
which said: Let us eat and drin
today, for tomorrow we die" or, "a
the gold and wealth thsere is, Is VIII
each day brings u.s. This idea d
more to overthrow some of the gree
nations and empires of tine past, tina
all other agencies. 1t is amazing ho
many are still holding up this ideal al
the chief aim of life"
The speaker here sounded a clea
note of warning to the American yout
against this dangerous ideal. The doc
ter closed his sermon by holding
before it the one great IDEAL" after
which if we build, we can not only
make no mistake, but will be aided in
securing our noblest manhood viz.
1.-THE man, Christ Jesus" This is n,
imaginary or impossible ideal for us /
pattern after, but very possible one
This was one object of his humanity
lie was tempted in all points as w.
all. He prayed, he wept, he became
hungry, foot-sore, and tired. He o.
all others is the young mans friend
and pattern! To make the most of an
IDEAL, we must study and become
acquainted with it. Study the Christ
like character which will weather every
storm and stream of life.
The sermon was listened to through
cut with the closest attention.