Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-12
USE LIFE FOR GOOD.
Dr.. Hoss DEslls With Emphasis on the
Value Of Influence.
SERMON TO TRAVELLING MEN.
The Eminent Divine, by Invitation
of Post A, Delivers n Special Dis
bearers 10 he Messengers of Christ.

Hcnrfrs 10 te messengers OF CHRIST.
Rev. Or. Moses ID. Hoge preached a
special sermon before Post a, Travellers
Protective Association. Sunday afternoon
In the Second Presbyterian church. There
was a large congregation. and the SER
mon was an exceptionally fine one. Or.
Hoge was at his best, and spoke with
earnestness and vigor. There was a full
attendance of local travelling men, and
with them were several Of their friends
from northern and western cities. The
music was a delightful feature OF the
service
Dr. Hoge's text was Romans xii. II:
''Not slothful in business; fervent in
spirit: serving the Lord" Or. Hoge said:
There has been no century fuller OF
events which affect the general--I may
say the uniyersal-interest Of mankind
than the century which is now 50 near it's
close that the bells Of all the churches
and great cathedrals OF the world will
soon ring in the birth Of the twentieth
century. The events to which / refer
make the world in which we live a differ
ent world-almost new world-in con-
hundred years ago. Il has been a century
OF startling discoveries. OF wonderful in
ventions. OF the applications of science
10 the uses and convenlGnces of life; the
subjugation OF the tremendous forces Of
nature TO mans service and advantage.
New modes OF travel, new methods Of
transmitting intelligence. the unwilling Of
the secrets Of the physical world, the
bringing into use agencies for facilita-
ting and tightening the toll OF the labor
ing millions, make our century one which
has never had an equal.
so full the world Is of eager compet-
ton and Of daring enterprise that life
was never as intense as II Is now, and
never was pygress exhibited on scale
80 vast, or with such a celebrity Of adj
vancement
PROTECTION AND ADVANTAGES.
one Characteristic OF the age is the
formation Of new societes-industrial,
philanthropic. benevolent-societies de-
signed for self-improvement OF its mem
bers, for the protection Of their rights,
for the Advancement Of the common wei
fare. Our newspapers are filled with no
tees of the anniversaries OF these so
cieties, OF their growth and OF the work
which is accomplished by them. Some OF
these organizations are very venerable
and some are just now struggling INTO
life. Some Of these societies are called
by strange and uncOuth names; some
times grotesque and ludicrOus names, and
occasionally absurd names; others bear
names Of dignity, suggestive of worthy
aim md OF practical results of the very
highest value-not only so far as business
interests are concerned, but for the adj
vancement OF the intellect and the moral
character OF men. Such an association l
have the honor TO address this afternoon
and to welcome into this church. A pro-
tective association Protection against pc
cuniary losses against accident. against
injustice, against evil habits, against for
hidden curses. Not only protection
against what Is injurious, but union
for positive advantages. for intellectual,
moral, and ! trust | may be permitted 10
say for spiritual Improvement; and one
indication OF this fact, In which l am
sure | am not mistaken, is that you
connect religious services with your secu-
lar work, and invite ministers Of the Cos
Del to address you upon themes expressly
appropriate TO the Sabbath, and to the
sanctuary. You do not expect me TO
speak on any other theme this afternoon.
On other occasions you have the oppor-
tunity OF listening TO speakers who dls-
cuss the secular benefits of your
cuss such subjects better than the minis
tiers Of religion. And now YOU VIII not
anticipate the presentation OF any theme
which does not become the sanctuary
and that does not contemplate the de-
velopment OF the higher life--the life of
rational. accountable, responsible, ana I'M
mortal men.
OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GOD.
One Of the most interesting incidents
which 1 remember 10 have read IN me
life of Daniel Webster was the fact that
at a banquet 10 which he sat down with
some twenty men, when there was a
little pause In the conversation, one OF
them said: "Mr. Webster. what is the
most important thought that ever came
into your mind?" Looking around at
those sitting about the table, he SAD;
answered they: I'VE are all your friends.
He passed his hand thoughtfully over his
brow, and then said; The most important
thought that has ever occurred TO me IS
my Individual responsibility TO God.
And he proceeded to discuss that theme
in his own forcibe and impressive way
When he had ended there was silence;
the company dispersed, and the banquet
WAS over 80
for the right use OF our opportunities OF
self-improVement; We are responsible Tor
the habits we form, for the characters we
build up: we are responsible for the right
development OF our intellectual, moral,
physical, and spiritual faculties. some
timea YOU hear IL said that men are the
creatures of circumstances; That success
depends on our opportunities, and when
these are un;avorable we are obliged 10
be controlled 10y opposing forces, ana
must be moulded by the outward in
nuences which surround us, and which
determine our destiny. II viii be worth
while to stop minute Just to ascertain
the pedigree OF this wCrd. circumstances.
Ii is derived from two words, which mean
''stand around" Circumstances, there
fore, are external Influences that stand
around men. In this pulpit | declare
that II Is not external influence, but in
ternal influence that makes the true man.
The outward, physical form does not con-
etitute the real nan, the intellect, the
affections IL
trolled by reason, and by the infalltble
directions which we find In the Word OF
God. Therefore. II Is faliacy TO say
that the outward influences are supreme.
and that circumstances determine mans
destiny. There are, no houbt, external
circumstances which greatly contribute 20
our happiness and success In life. but
the very want Of these oftentimes stimu-
lates TO new effort trains men 90 habits
of industry, frugaiity, temperance, per-
severance. self-reliaace. decision and that
determination that wins in every battle
against opposing obstacles
SELF MADE MEN ARE FOREMOST. |
Self-made men are the formost men,
whether IN professional. scientific, me-
chanical. or commercial life. When we
hear II said that circumstances make
men, and that circumstances control men.
very proper question TO ask IS this;
What kind OF men; No doubt crcum-
stances control tinlid. kTrosolute. pro-
crastinating. waNcflnH doublc-minted
men-men that nNt carried about like
tuiStt~uVNn py WNt D." iva NhoN nloNSi OF
Ike seaweed drlftCd hy every current
and driven by every tide, whether il be
the ebb or the foodtidc But the triumphs
OF successful men have ordinarily been
triumphs over ali that binders or op-
poses them, and 80 far from being con-
trOlled by circumstances, they have con-
trolled circumstances. and made them
stepping stones TO higher attachments, in
stead OF stumbling blocks. over which
they have fallen into hopeless failure.
have read OF a dove that was wor-
ried and fretted because the wind RULED
its pretty plumage. The dove said ii
would like 10 live In world where there
was no atmosphere. The silly bird did
not know that Il could neither breathe nor