The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-08-14
THE SUNDAY PULPIT
LIVE ON A HIGH LEVEL.
New York Herald.)


Now are we sons of God.-I. John
ill.,, =.
/ think we should be better fitted to
master the difficult problems of life, if
we had a higher estimate of our ability
to do so.
Mere self-conceit is an abomination, but
self-apDerciation is one of the prime con-
ditions of success.
The conceited man is under the inn
preston that the assistance Of the Lord
is not necessary, for he is quite sufficient
unto himself. Conceit is sometimes an
eccentricity, at other times a species of
mild insanity, and always an hallucina-
ton. There is no weaker man on the
planet than he who is boastful of his
own strength.
Self-apprecation is Il very different
matter. When a man reverently recog-
nizes the fact that the breath of God
is in his soul, that he came from omnipo-
tence. wisdom and love. and that it was
should reflect these attributes so far rs
mortality permits, he thereby becomes at
once exalted and humble. He is exal-
ted by the consciousness of noble de-
scent and he is humbled by the knowi-
edge that he must work with and for
plshed. With his own he may make a
brave fight and win grand victory. but
the arm must WELD the sword OF the
spirit. 1t is the Holy Ghost in n man
which makes him great to achieve.
We have inherited certain demoraliZina
influences from the theological dogma
of total depravity, and they still cling
i, to us. We are weakened by them. They
discourage us and drive us to the verge
of spiritual despair. There Is nothing
in them that is buoyant or elevating or
inspiring If II man is told that he
is vile sort of creature he becomes
depressed in proportion to the strength
of his belief. and depression and weak
ness are very nearly the same thing. 1t
seems unfair to tell a man that he can
do nothing and then demand that he
| shall do II great deal or be punished
We have IL better Interpretation of the
| gospel in these latter days, and IT III
| most seems as though the gospel itself
were new. There is neither depression
nor encouragement in the words of
Christ. He revealed mighty possibilities
for us ALL He prayed that we might
become one with Him, even as He was
one with the Father At that moment
liz iutu IL h'i', Ioi
He touched our eyes. our blind eyes. and
we saw the great white throne and knew
that when our destiny was fulfilled we
should rest under its protecting shadow.
Christ was the most hope giving preach
or that ever whispered words of com
fort. His philosophy of life is like that
mysterious something which lifts the
lily bud to the surface of the water
and impels it to develop INTO n flower
which fills the air with fragrance.
You are to be of good cheer That
should be your normal condition You
are like finely constructed organ which
has somewhat got out of tune. You can
I play on it. but there are some keys which
will not respond to the touch. You need
rot destroy the organ and build another.
for God made it. and Gods work is al
ways good. 1t is not totally out of re-
pair. for . few days work on the part
of the angels and you will have an in
strument with which you can fifty praise
the Lord for His goodness and mercy.
My kind of religion teaches that God