The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-05-16

In Elm Park church last evening a
sermon in observance of the ninth an
niversary of the Epwurth league was
preached by the pastor, Rev. Dr. g. M
Giffin. for the particular beneht OF the
league of that church.
Dr. GifIin's topic was 1.-The Top OF the
Ladder" His text was from Genesis
xviii 10, "And he dreamed, and behold
a ladder set up on earth, and the top
of II reached to heaven; and behold
the angels Of God ascending and de-
scending on e."
The ladder revealed to Jacob. DIR.
Giifin said was but a symbol of the
vast reaches that are stretching up
ward for all mankind. The possibili-
ties of going up or down were great
but in this stirring age of opportunities
there was no reason for taking the
wrong course. In considering the
course symbolized in the ladder IT, were
we'll to note how the ladder rests. Its
foundation should he firm, substantial
and solid to withstand tremendous
pressure. 1t must he plumb and solid
on both sides. No ladder-ciimbng
would be successful if either side rested
OH soft basis.
When properly placed, a ladder
should he properly pointed. Young
people should turn their plans toward
heaven. Nothing would be accomplish
ed on the mine principle which extends
from level in sunlight downward to
one in darkness. If the dream of Jacob
the slumberer were to be a reality,
there should be something more than
strength of intention. That was a good
and bad characteristic of Americans. 1t
developed toe many drones and sleep
ers, however.
McDONALD'S MANIA.
George Mcdonald had a mania from
boyhood to climb or be lifted to i'm.
mense heights that he might get a
broad and unobstructed view of the
horizon. He wanted a great, vast eN-
panse of vision. This trait was con-
trary to that possessed by Scranton's
inanimates, hundreds Of them, victims
of absolute routine. Anything was
worthless, DIR. Giftin said, that did not
have ones will and work in it, In
herted wealth was an illustration.
Dizziness would come from looking
down the ladder. The climber should
set his gaze high in the sky. And in
the climbing one should remember that
he cannot slide up. The movement rs
accomplished hand over hand, round
after round. 1t is by grades and
stages.
That the world was developing its
climbers, DR.. Gifiin believed. The world
was going toward it's prescribed high
altitude and Scranton was going nearer
heaven. 1t was so with character.
Man has learned it by study, invention
and toll. 1t required effort for one to
appreciate that he could handle him
self better. Among the hindrances was
the trashy Sunday newspaper.
The mistake should not be made in
the belief that the top of the ladder
was reached when only half the cis-
tance had been traVersed. ones edu-
cation is not reached at studenthood.
Many had made the mistake of stop
piag too soon, not realizing that the
scheme of life for every soul was inn
mense and that satisfaction could not
be attained until it had been thor
oughly mastered.
Counting the rounds was not as ad-
vantageous as climbing. In listening
to a sermon its real length might seem
brief and it's matter good if the listener
would yield himself to the speaker and
not keep time on him up to the finish
LOFTY MOUNTAINS.
There were mountains so high that
peace was always there, 50 high that
daylight cane early and stayed late;
where the stir OF a breeze was un-
known so st!ll was everything that a
traveller who traced some words with
his finger in the ashes of fire found
the tracings there several years later
So it was in life. The peace. light and
stiffness we've not below. AS Watson
wrote:
There is toll on the sleeps
ON the summit, repose.
When the top of the ladder was
reached the climber should not forget
he was once at the bottom. The tor
may be in the skies but the bottom is
| on the common level. Those below
claimed and We're entitled to recogni.
| tion and consideration
DR.. Giffin concluded with a ferVently
| expressed hope that the young people
| among his hearers would follow the life
| suggested by his discourse and receive
| the blessings that would be reaped ac.
| coTdingly.
SABBATH NEWS NOTES.