The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1897-12-03
EPwoRTH LEAGUE.
Lesson For the Week Beginning Dec. 8.
Comment by Rev. w. j. Yates. A. NJ.
Topic, Conviction For Sin.


Sculpture READINe.-Rom. viii. 20, 27; tx,
l. 2; Cor. ii, 10-l2.
Violation of the laws of physical
health brings disease and death. Will
full taking of ones own life is suicide.
Killing another is manslaughter or MUIR
der Violation of the laws of mental
health brings insanity. Willful opposi-
ton to truth and reason is Intellectual
suicide. Deception of others Is intellec-
tual murder.
Violation Of the laws of spiritual
Righteousness is sin or spiritual disease
and brings death of spiritual nature.
Enticing others to wrongdoing is spirit,
ual murder.
The bodily powers are so made as to
work by their appetites and cravings for
health Hunger is a warning to prevent
starvation. Nausea is a warning of
danger to digestion. Pain is everywhere
red flag of danger and warns of evil
conditions and consequences. The same
is true of the mind Peacefulness and
reasonable satisfaction indicate mental
health Doubt and disturbing fears and
distress are signals of evil Mental pain
is warning of evil conditions which
must be removed or evil consequences
will follow and all power of rational
thought be destroyed.
Consciousness of wrongdoing is the
souls signal of danger Pain of spirit
for the evil committed is warning which
can be neglected only at peril of life.
Conviction of sin is the sign that there
is deathly disease of soul. Opiates may
quiet pain of body, but never cure the,
disease. So one may still the pain of
conscience, but it never corrects the
fault and only increases the danger Of
spiritual death. Physical pain is Gods
warning in the body. Intellectual per-
plexity is God s voice to the mind. Con-
Yiction of sin is God voice to the spirit.
The most important of all these is the
last "What shall it profit a man if he
gain the whole world and lose his own
soul, or what shall a man give in ex-
change for his soul?"
If the sense of having done evil or
wrong is present, the only safe way is
to at once remove the cause of the pain
Sorrow, not for the suffering expert
enced, but for the sin committed, should
not be stifed, but encouraged. Clearly
and fearlessly hold up the deed until it
is seen in all its bearings. Let the feel
ings have full play. Condemn it Loathe
it. Renounce it and vow to have moth
ing to do with it Antagonize it with
all your powers. This is the work of
the sinner, the patient to be cured by
the Great Physician. Now consider the
remedies offered. Truth and righteous
ness and love are the food needed by
the soul for spiritual health and growth.
Grasp them firmly and take them sin
cerely, persistently and continually.
Weakness and utter helplessness follow
all repentance of sin. If left to himself,
every man would perish, but the Spirit
of God gives the needed help. Gods
truth and righteousness and love come
tS Tie - end strengtheni New sassa
er is impaired and strength increases.
The analogy is close between the differ
ent parts of our nature.
Conviction of sin, however painful,
is mercifully given, like pain of body,
to warn Of danger and death Attend
to its admonition if you would live.