The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-09-07

'sThe pulpit OF the Hamline NJ. E. Church,
Ninth ana = streets northwest, was occu-
pied by the pastor, Rev. W. R. Stricken,
yesterday, he having returned from his
summer vacation.
AT The morning service occurred the 81 era
n.ent of the Lords supper.
The subject OF the sermon preached at
| night was, Sins Down Graue." The
| text was taken from Psalm xviv. 1913;
'Cfranse thou me from secret thoughts.
Keep back thy servant also from pre-
sufnptuous SINS Mr.. Stricken spoke IN
part as follows:
A DOWNWARD FORCE.
.'rhere is a force in this universe to
whlcn men have gwen the name OF gravlt;l-
| ton 1t is recognized AS everywhere pres
eat and constantly in operation. II a man
once loses his balance on Il dizzy height,
nothing can save him from being hurled
into the abyss beneath. The law is in
evftable.
There is another law as sure and as
inevitable as the law Of gravity. Its ten
deucy, too, is downward, earthward, sin
ward in the human breast. 1t is the law
which operates TO carry men still farther
down the incline of Satan, when once they
have started -ea Ills downward course.
The great Chinaman, Ii Hung Chang.
remarked as he was on his way TO West
Point: 1T is like heaven = hard to get To-
Yes, my brother, heaven is hard to get to.
He who strives to reach that glorious
haven must constantly contend and battle
with the DOWN. ard endencies which weigh
so heavily in the balance against the up
ward tendencies in man. In fact, 1t can he
said there is no upward tendency In man.
Ever since the fall the tendency has been
down, down. down, further into ignorance.
degradation and sin. 1t is only the build
l-r,fr -Isasts-
and the preaching Of good and holy infiu-
ences that give To man his better, higher
lodgings and attachments.
The beginning OF this do wnward course
is the crisis in many life. II may De
but "a little secret thought, which has been
ctndoned: but that small beginning leads
finally to vice, corruption, moral down
fall, 10 the bottom of the inclined railway
which runs into the jaws of hell. If we
are to save men, we must keep them from
starting ON this wild career down the
in cline.
A SECRET PLACE.
in every ones heart there is secret
place. a sanctum sanctOruIn, where each
one sees himself as he really is. There is
cast OFF the veneeriDg which Is sho wn TO the
outer world and winch men may respect
and honor. DO you not see, when here in
communion with your inner self, many
thoughts in which are no purity nor
holiness?
Cleanse thou me of secret thoughts
is the supplcation OF the Psalmist. Every
one to be rid OF these darksome thoughts
must be cleanscd. Cleansed not with ma
terial water; for whether it be sprinkled
or poured or the person completely I'M
Inersed, the sin is still in the heart.
Cleansed only by the spirit of the living
God. This publication consists Of two
steps; First, to be pardoned: second. to he
cieansed in the heart and made pure ana
holy.
The penitent need but imploringiy pray,
Cleanse thou me from secret thoughts, and
the plea will be Needed by the Lord Of
Lords. Then wien the cleansing has been
made perfect and the sinner has been
baptized in the spirit Of holiness, if he will
but say, Keep back thy servant also from
presumptuous SINS the Lord will take him
in His protecting arm and he shall De safe
fprevermore.'