The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-01-20
DR.. CLIFTON'S' SERMON.
Some Notes OF u Notable Discourse
Which Was Delivered in the Meth
Odist Church.

OulSL
DIR. Clifton preached TO a full house last
Sunday morning. Omitting all fine spun
theories of theology and discarding every
SEM blance OF pretense OF supernatural
knowledge as to the will OF the Almighty, the
preacher made home thrusts from begin ming
TO finish. He touched his hearers at every
point, and presented wholesome truths in the
most forcible manner, while he dwelt upon
some OF the many evils from which we suffer
Thepreacher thought too many OF us suffer
from the habit OF fretting. We often allow
little things TO worry us, and by this worry OF
needless fretting, our natures are sometimes
soured. In this expression OF discomfort, OF
frettipg, we commit the SIN OF unthank-
the great gifts and benefits which he has De
slowed upon US.
True Christians owe the world a cheerful
coun tenance, and those VINO are endowed
with noble spirit will not only discount the
petty annoyances Of life but will, with cheer
ful heart, give humble and hearty thanks tc
our heavenly Father for the many blessings
which we receive. The numberless comforts
with which we are blessed should make oul
hearts glad. We should let the light and love
of our Savior be reflected in a cheerful, happy
lace.
The preacher warned his hearers against
at the expense OF others. and, which
they too often directed at some one
who might be deeply wounded. Such an
act is cruel and unchristian.like. Humol
has a tendency to witticlsm; witticism has s
| tendency TO sarcasm; the love OF sarcasm
would exercise It's sway even to the everlast
Ing wounding Of brother. Sarcasm, like 6
sharp pointed sword, or poisoned arrow
lasting. Then, acknowledging the father
hood Of God, and the brotherhood OF man, W.
| should refrain from the exercise of a cruelty
| which may affect brothers welfare for al
time.
The preacher dwelt on the Importance o
| debt paying-common honesty. We were en-
Joined by the scriptures TO owe no man any
thing but love. No debt should be incurred
| in the absence of a reasonable and honest ex
| pectation of discharging the obligation. /
| was possible, however, for a man To fail to pay
a debt and still be an honest man, but no mar
has right 10 the claim OF honesty If he fail
| to make every reasonable effort to pay his
debt, regardless of legal techn icallties. If th
| debtor could not pay, he ought 10 60 to hi
creditor and renew his promise with furthe
assurance of honest intent The worst evi
that could befall people, as indi ividuals. OF
| as q church, is debt. Debt, which would hani
| like milestone about our necks, should b.
Stunned. and the maa or the congregation
which allows debts to stand against them
should carefully examine their own hearts
before laying claim to conn mon honesty.
The real Christian should be true and lOya
to his own church. Feeling that his own re
iigious creed best answers the cravings OF hi
own heart. he should recognize the fact tina
other churches In like manner best satisf,
the iongings OF the hearts of those Christian
| who connect themselves with other branche
of Christ's church. Loyalty TO ones OWE
| church. and respect for the religious convic
tions OF others, are marked traits of the bes
men on earth.
pure heart and the adoption OF correct ant
upright methods in all the relations of life
Our sins would find us out, and the hideous
ness of the evil that might lurk In the heart
| would sooner or later make Itself apparent
We might for a time dissem5le and hid
from our neighbors the ugly spots In ou
character, but sooner or later our real charat
ter would be known. The only safe rule lie
Honesty Of thought and honesty Of speec
and honesty OF action Is the only safe rule
when guided by sincere and intelligent de
sire to do the right.
Too many nncharItably think that al
those who have ever expressed or had an.
doubts, are either atheists or unbelievers. Be
lief Is based on reason. and no man can hel
from believing that which appeals to bis res
! son. Honest doubt, which searches for tn
truth, is better than blind unreasoning belle
Our religion Is based upon an intelligent cor
viction of right and wrong II after invest
eating and learning the truth. our religio
cannot Withstand even the assaults cf athe
lists and unbelievers. II Is not worthy OF ou
loyalty, But 1t has stood the test OF time.
has sweetened the home. 1t has purified tn
ireside. II has raised woman from the Sta
ton OF a menial to that of mans honore
queen. 1t has made her In sweetness an
purity, second only to the angels. And bt
cause OF what our religion has done for he
she will always be true and loyal, and no ir
telligent man. who thinks for a moment, wi
repudiate the religion Of Jesus Christ, whic
has done 30 much for her.
A GOOD RECORD.
At the close Of DIR. Clifton's sermon he ar
pounced that an important congregations
meeting would be held i'm mediately after tn
benediction. 1t looked as II nearly every bod
understood what was coming, and there wa
rush for the doors. But not all went on
Some true and tried members remained
pillars of the church. The pastor announce
that there remained on the church a debt &
81 400; and then called for subscriptions wit
which TO liquidate the same. The first ma
to speak said that he would give $500; tn
! next man promised $3.50, the next sun
something smaller. end so on, until thirt
lpersons had subscribed Sl,lS0-all these sui
scrlptions being by men who are able 10 dis
charge their obligations.
The people OF Abbeville are not a rich pee
pie, but they freely give oftheir substance L
the church.