The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-03-22

He took for his text the words of Phil,
i:17: Il am set for the defense of The
gospel" and from them drew man.
interesting and profitable lessons. He
said in part:
Paul lived in a decidedly military age
and whenever he wrote or spoke his Ian
guage abounded with allusons to the mill
tary customs Wherever he went he met
a Roman soldier clad in coat OF mall
with helmet and shield and armed with
battle axe, sword and spear, ready to bid
defiance to his foes. Roman soldier
was set or stationed to defend the honor
and prestige of Rome at whatever hazard
or danger to himself.
Abiding to the parting of a guard for
defense. Paul like true knight of the
cross of Jesus Christ that ne was fully
armed and equipped for the service of his
Master declares: 81 am set for the de-
fense of the Gospel" How herocally he
performed his task his works and history
declare. As a worthy example of Il true
Christian knight, | want to hold up Paul
that you may admire and initiate him.
The term knight belongs to the age OF
ChiValry and was conferred as mark of
distinction upon Il soldier or armed SER
want belonging to certain rank.
1t was to defend the cause of religion at
Jerusalem and to assist worthy brethren
in distress that the order of st. John or
Malta was instituted in \. d., lO4S. Its
purpose was chatitable and religious and
the order shared in the various fortunes
of the crusaders. In its benevolent ami
religious character it continues to exist
after a history of more than 800 years. or
ganized at a period when the eXigencies
of the times created a demand for your
work in support of the church and when
your hospitality was greatly needed your
.l. a 4 u 11 1tt, tr. a IA al
your brethren.
STILL IN THE FIELD.
Now, after 500 years. we find you still
in the field engaged in a work which, If
conducted with careful regard to the
church and your professed principles, VIII
greatly tend to cement the bonds of
brotherhood and assist the church to 90
out and rescue many who need assistance.
You are a brotherhood Joined by a solemn
comfort to practice benVolenCe toward a
brother of your order, visiting him when
sick, relieving him when in want and
comforting him when bereaVed All this
you are taught to do in the Gospel OF
Jesus Christ. l trust that the order OF
Malta may never forget its origin, and
remain steadfast to the church OF Christ
and assist it in extending the influence
of the Protestant faith.
My text calls attention to the defonse
of the Gospel. 1t is true we are living al
a time when peace at home and abroad
sheds its blessings upon our nation. But
ii is also true that a fierce conflict is
even now being waged which threatens
liberty, morality and the Christian rell-
gion in America
If the Gospel of Jesus Christ shall tri-
umph then liberty, morality and the Chris
tian religion are secure If the Gospel be
defeated then intidelity, anarchy, Supersti-
tion and pagnism will curse the land as
the supremacy of the wretched Turk has
cursed the Orient. The progress and hap
piness of our race lies bound up in the
success of the Gospel of Christ
What is the Gospel of which so much is
said?
The word translated Gospel signifies in
the original, good tidings. 1t is the good
NJ VS. of Salvation for man, conditioned
upon the repentance of our sins, faith in
generation of the new birth through the
Holy Ghost. 1t is the revelation OF GOO
made to men through His Son.
But it means more than this. 1t is the
declaration of Gods unalterable opposi.
ton to sin He draws the line with great
clearness i'm the DeCalogue and prefaces
all with "Thou shalt not" In the New
Testament Jesus re-enaCted and re,
informed the law when He said thou
shalt have the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, etc" Thus the Gospel is a direct
open proclamtion of war against all kinds
OF sin everywhere. 1t is not one kind OF
Gospel for the rich and another for tn,
poor Gambling is gambling, no matter
whether you name it progressive euchrt
or poker.