The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-29
1T MEANS DOOM TO MANY A MAN
WHO IS ON THE DOWNWARD
PATH.
SIN BRINGS PUNISHMENT,
AND TO DELIBERATELY CONTINUE
IN 1T Is PLAYING THE
FOOL.
REV. R1LEYs TALK TO ME-
Fire Scare in Plymouth Church
Fletcher's Opinion of the Work
of Congress.

Rev. W. B. Riley addressed large
meeting last evening at the First Bap-
fist church, on playing the Fool and
Purposing Reform" The sermon had
been prepared for men only, and the
zoo that gathered manifested close
and earnest interest in the remarks of
Mr.. Riley.
Mr.. Riley chose as his text I. Sam.
XVI, 81: IT have played the fool and
have erred exceedingly" and Luke,
XIV, II: And when he came to himself
he said, How many hired servants Of
my fathers have bread enough and to
spare, and I perish with hunger. "
Il think you will agree with me-"
said the speaker, that Saul of the Old
New had at least one point in common,
and that was folly l am not so sure
but they also had in common the COM
monest characteristic Of human life.
Thomas Dixon has said: 1t is great
mistake to suppose that because we
can boast of, an intellect our chief
staple is intellect Half Of man is at
least heart; one-quarter, fool, and the
remaining quarter intellect.
mo man can read the history Of Saul
and fail to see how large place con-
ceit had in his shortcomings. Some
men are easily puffed up. Saul was
one Of them. He was proud of his
physical proportions. He thought be-
cause he was the tallest man in the
country he must be the kingliest Of all
his fellows. Manliness Is not measured
by the square inch. At least, not in
Gods sight, and for Sullivan to mag
inc that he is somebody simply because
of his bigness is to forget that brains
and body are not always In perfect
proportion. Saul's second conceit was
his supposed shrewdness. He thought
he was a great deceiver. He lied to
David, attempted to cheat Samuel, and
even tried to deceive God. But David
found him out. Such is the ordinary
end of mental shrewdness. The man
who starts out thinking that he is just
smart enough to deceive and defraud
half Of his fellows Is sure to come up
against his own shame in the end. Then
Saul's conceit Of religion was even
worse. Conceit of religion is one Of
the most characteristic sins Of our time.
Many man does not regard God, nor
concern himself about divine command
ments, but imagines himself to be good
-'all right He wipes his lips and
says, I am clean. I am all right
1.-The man who today disregards
Gods commands is none the less
fool. 1t don't do to forget Gods
teachings touching temperance. If
the men of Minneapolis paid attention
to the word Of God, every saloon of
our city would be shut up tomorrow.
There would be such happiness in our
homes as this city has never seen,
and such joy in heaven as only the
angels of God can have.
Regard Gods command Of chastity.
The seventh commandment is not out
of date. If 1 were asked today what
single sin is resulting in the loss of
the greatest number of souls I should
say the social vice beyond question.
Dishonesty has no hold Of mans
nature until it's practice for years has
depraved him. The love of liquor is
not a natural lust, but sensuality is
deep-seated. I want to speak to the
hearts and consciences of the men
who are present tonight. You know
what may be standing between you
and salvation. 1 don't. 1 beg you to
remember that, if you propose to con-
tinue, you must suffer it's eventual
judgment.
Saul set Samuel, his spiritual
teacner, ASIDE. 1t IS sad day for
man when he separates himself from
all spiritual instruction. Now, have
seen some preachers that I don't take
to myself, and I would not blame some
fellows for getting out of their way,
long-faced men who know not how
to smile. But such are the exceptions,
and I say it is wretched sign when
a man reaches the point where he
puts the preacher away.
People say mothers love outlasts
all, but that is a mistake. Gods love
is stronger still. I have known moth
ers, who, having suffered every pos
sible disgrace through prodigal sons,
have finally consented to be separated
from them. Almost every man who is
playing the fool by profanity by in
fidelity, by intemperance, by impurity,
or by them all, purposes some day to
reform, but a purpose that isa not put
into effect is good for nothing. Again
[ say, God is the last to give up. If
any man would be saved tonight. all
he has to do is to face about and he
will feel the everlasting arms about
him, and hear the loving words of the
eternal father: Neither do 1 con-
denim thee; go and sin no more