The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-01-14
NEWS OF THE CHURCHES.
FEATURES OF RELIGIOUS SERVICES
 YESTERD4Y.


 mon-Rev. MT. Mason Talks to the Young
 Union Services With Davenport Church
 -Discourse by Rev. MT. Dickerman at
 Messiah Church-Other Notes.
 Every available seat was occupied at the Grace M, E. church yesterday morn ing. Seven members were received by letter and twenty-eight on profession of faith. A number were children, who have recently given themselves to Christ in the children's meeting, held Tuesday afternoons. After a short sermonette to the children, which was illustrated by an oyster and a small crab, the preacher took his text from Psalm 32:1: "Blessed is He Whose Trangresson is Forgiven, Whose Sin is Covered"
 Our subject this morning is the par don of sin, received through Jesus Christ, and the joy it brings to the soul. receiving it. I desire to speak of' the fact of pardon, the conditions on which it is received and the rap- turous joy it brings to it's possesors.
 l. l llG II cSlssOl II OA 6slNCihSo9 ~ tS ." glorious fact that the Lord Jesus Christ saves from sin; that God has provided a way of escape from the consequences of sin and evil. Sin is an admitted fact. It exists everywhere. No na- ton, nor city, nor village, nor heart is free from it's baneful influence and power. Gods word assures us that "all we like sheep have gone astray" 1; o,.f ic Hnoaitf111 above all things and desperately wicked; and that all men have sinned and come short of the glory of God. If Gods word were silent upon this subject every human conscience would affirm it to be true. Something Is wrong with the race. Evil predominates. Men sin every day and everywhere, and what adds to the perpleXity of the matter is that man is unable to help or save himself. He feels his sin, but is unable to escape from its grasp and dominion. But the Lord Cod has prom ised forgiveness-full complete and free to all. His forgiveness is offered in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Saviour of men. He forgiveth all thine inequities. The Son of God hath power on earth to forgive sins, neither
 
 there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.
 II. The Conditions of Forgiveness But forgiveness can be received only under certain conditions. God has given man the conditions, and though He Is the Almighty He is unable to forgive any who will not meet the con 6itin11S God noy does not want to be forgiven. This is the law of forgiveness, operative in. every world and between all creatures I may tnjure you by word or deed. the injury may be deep and cause you great pain. After time you may decide to forgive me, but you cannot do it until I ask to be forgiven. Otherwise I may trample your forgiveness under my feet and add insult to the injury. You may however, possess the forgiving spirit There are always two parties to forgiveness. God forgives when man seeks to be forgiven. The condi- tions of forgiveness are: first. sorrow for sin. We become conscious that we lave sinned against God, His holy spirit reproves us, our consciences con demn us, we are troubled, we turn tb God and confess our sins. This is re- pentance. Let it be deep and genuine. There is no possible forgiveness with out it.
 Then there must be a willingness to forsake our sins-we must confess and forsake them, for if we propose to con tinue in our evil course God will not for give. Then we must believe in Jesus Christ, accept Him as our Saviour. trust alone in Him for, I1vo +to,, ,,...1 IL. ditions are met and we are saved
 III. The Joy of Forgiveness-There is no joy like it. lit is a thing by itself. It is unlike the joy of victory or con quest. It is a peace that passes all un- derstanding. Sometimes it Is quite like a lake, deep and abiding; sometimes it | flows through all the channels of the heart like a river; otherwise 1t is a, | cataract dashing down the mountain | side, carrying everything before it. | Oh the joy of pardoned sin. Oh the | ratpure that comes to the saved heart. | May we meet the conditions that we | may receive the joy.
 AT THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
 At the First Baptist church last ev | ening Rev. MT. Mason preached es-
 
 was "A Young Man Cropping in the Kingdom" Baptism was administered before the sermon.
 At the Sunday school session a spec ial offering was gathered for the poor, and the award of prizes was also made to those who had been most proficient in the work the last six months.
 Excellent meetings were enjoyed dur ing the week of prayer, and this week union services will be held with the Davenport church on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and at the First Baptist on Wednesday and Friday ev- enings.
 CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH
 Rev. w. F. Dickerman preached powerful and elouquent sermon yester- day morning on: What it is to See God" He based his remarks on the wordss Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God" In the even- ing delightful service was held in