The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-23
Outline of Sermon Preached by Rev
w. G. SchOppe, Sunday Morning,
Jan. 20, 1895,

SUBJECT" JOshua's Last Message"
TEXT, Joshua "a: 10. "Choose you this
day whom ye will serve"
Age reviews. Old men never become
skeptlcs. The Pilgrim, having seen Heaven
opened, cannot lose the impression received.
Joshua's battles have been fought. He
knows God through the experience of Iife's
consecrated struggle. He now comes to the
mellow calm of old age. His concern is
that the people shall serve God. He gathers
them at Sluchem. Itwas here that Abraham,
on his first journey through the country,
built an altar under an oak tree; it was here
that Jacob bought piece of ground for the
burying place of Israel. Joshua recounts
the faithfulness Of God to his people in the
past; he brings all history unto one point of
vision, then seems to say, cover the graves
of your ancestors, if there be any reality in
their religion, make you choice whom you
will serve"
He calls up the most sacred in life, to i'm
pei choice, renew covenant and revive hope.
1st The necessity for CHOICE
There is an element of necessity in life.
In some directions, man is toy of circum-
stances. There is also an element of free
dom. This is implied by responsibility. His
moral destiny is in his own hands; his sin is
in his will. This is citadel that no power
can invade; it makes him a CAUSE, like
God d:-Aiming at an end, he originates mo-
ton; he can purposely cause to be future
that otherwise would not be. Then he is not
like the drift-wood in the stream, or the atom
in the whirlwind; his place is above sun and
stars his will is a force in that which is to
be- his eternal destiny is shaped by himself:
his salvation depends on his positive choice
of God.
2nd. Notice the immediateness of the text.
"Choose THIS DAY.
Men tell us of the uncertainty of life on
what slender thread life hangs we are in
the midst of a danger element. We have
not outgrown the warning of Christ, "Be We
also ready" Is it not true that there is a
tendency in life toward final permanency of
moral character, good or bad? May not the
moral light be dimmed, and the evil habit
fixed, until there shall be no desire for re.
pentance? Christ said of men who persist
emily refuse the light of the Spirit, that they
are in danger of eternal sin.
We do not attempt to specify what is to be
in the infinite future, but we must echo the
Masters warning. CHOOSE NOW. Give ALI
to God; take time to build. Xarviar, who
gave his life to God, in the dark lands oi
earth, said when dying, az have done wha
1 could | shall not be ashamed in Heaven. ,
The influence of JOshua's life and words
made Israel for that generation and the next
loyal unto God. What day was this, of re
consecrations. 1t condensed into its throb
bing hours generations of history, and arden
pulsings of prophetic service. &C
The assembly breaks up. Joshua dies
the others quickly follow; but the WORE
GOES ON. Amid the mutations of life, on
eternal quantity remains. "Thy Throne, {
God, is forever and ever" Associate, then
| with the mind the most sacred IN life; brin,
the past history to one point of vision thini
of the conSecrated who have lived and die
in the service of God. If you conclude thei
: religion is real, follow III their footsteps. |
the Lord be God, serve HIM. "Choose yol
this day whom ye will serve"