The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-01
FRUITS OF REPENTANCE.
Rev. John ID. Hammond at Wesley
Monumental Church.

Ohufcns
Rev. John D. Hammond, D. D., presi-
dent of Wesleyan female college at Ma
con, preached yesterday morning and
last night at Wesley Monumental church.
DR.. Hammond took the text for his
night sermon, from the eighth verse of
the third chapter of Luke, which reads in
part: Bring forth therefore fruits wor-
thy of repentance.
DIR. Hammond said that people are ac-
customed to consider true repentance as
one act IN the life of a man; that it is
permanent and that it is irreyocable.
This repentance, when it comes, is regard
ed as mile stone in the life, and is left
behind as a point on the road of mortal
ity to which there is no return.
John, in his preaching, takes this view
of the matter and refuses dp believe re-
pentance to be transitory in its nature.
The apostle says that repentance is the
inner substance of the fruits that are not
only permanent, but do good continually
that is worthy of the soilin which they
stand.
1.-The fruits of a mans repentance"
said DR.. Hammond, ARE accepted as the
criterion of the sincerity of that great
transformation. 1t is his kindness and
charity to the poor and needy that lays
open to the world the strength of that
repentance. Those are the evidences by
which the world judges, for it cannot, as
does the searcher of all hearts, look deep
down into the innermost conscience of
the repentant sinner"
DR.. Hammond said that the response of
the prophet to the questions of the soldiers
as to what they should do with the de-
feated enemy was one counseling forebea@-
ance and kindly treatment. Though the
opposing forces threaten the government
and the lives of those thaterepresent it
in the battle, the enemy should be free
from spoilation and needless injury.
A natural man was illustrated in the SER
pent that, lying in the grass, is seeking
no ones destruction and engaged in the
pursuit of naught but that which it's own
instincts prompt. But if it is disturbed
in its lonely domain, then the balefnl
eye, the erected head the quick launch
ing of the sinuous length at it's enemy
and the deadly venom show its readiness
TO dispute the efforts of anything to en-
croach upon its rights. So is it with
man, who desires peaceful possession and
assurance of his rights. No trespassers
are wanted. and, if none ever appeared,
the natural state of the race would be
peaceful.
The speaker said that man, however,
does trespass and infringes on the rights
of his fellow man. This being, as it is, a
world of competition and unrest, this re-
suit is unavoidable and constant displeas-
ure is occasioned by one overstepping the
rights of another. This continual turmoil
and strife in human natures says John,
and it is a question as to whether Chris
tianity can ever so decide matters as to
keep a man on his own domain and pre-
vent his Interference with the rights of his
fellows. And the question arises as to
whether it is right to submit to wrongs
and permit Others to trample on rights.
The idea of the apostle seems TO be that
man must not stand antagonistic to his
fellow man, and that he should not let
trespassings draw forthuthe bitterness of
| anathemas, the venom of the serpent or
the blows and conflicts of anger.
DIR. Hammond said that he did not mean
that a man should not protect his rights,
for that is a duty that he owes to his
family. himself and his self-respect and
| self-esteem, but that this protection must
be given his rights without the recourse
to the sting and venom. He said that the
evidences of a mans turning from sin
should be the fruits of charity. shown in
deeds. and the putting away of hatred and
| ill-feeling. THE fruits worthy of repent
ance," he said, "are the sharing of the
crust and the bestowal of the garment"
DIR. Hammond will leave tonight for
Macon. During his stay in the city he has
| been the guest of Capt. J. L. Johnson.