The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-06
AN Ever PRESENT JUDGMExT.
Rev. Charles II. strong Contrasts the
Two Ideas.

II
Two Ideas.
1.-THE judgment was The subject Of Rev
| Charles H. Strong's sermon ct ST. Johns
| Church last night. 1t was the second Of
his series OF sermons upon the last four
things, Death. Judgment, Heaven and
Hell. The sermon was one Of unusual force
and interest. I'VE SHAH All Stand Before
| the Judgment Seat of Christ" from Ro-
mans 14;10, was the text.
Mr.. Strong discussed the two varying
IDEAS of divine judgment, the old and COM
monty accepted idea being that the day is
one of last and final judgment when men
shall be called TO account for their deeds
on earth and condemned to eternal happi-
ness or misery as the awful and august
Judge may decree The other idea, which
is The one presented ~ Mr.. Strong, is that
! of an ever present judgment, by which the
deeds of men are brought in continual re-
view before the divine tribunal and re-
wards and penalties melted out according
10 their deserts
The old idea Of a final and distant judg-
ment day has somewhat lost its force he
said. BY this view the judgment Of Christ
is relegated to some unknown period in
the future and thus the idea of judgment
has lost its force because of the tendency
of the human mind to attach slight i'm
portance to the things which are removed
at the greatest distance. The terrOrs of
the judgment day have been painted in the
most feaTsome colOrs and yet ii cannot be
denied that the rear of this day rests but
lightly upon the minds of professed believ-
ers.
on the other hand, Mr.. Strong argued
! if the belief should take hold upon the
minds of men of an ever present judgment,
in which their words and deeds and
| thoughts were brought in constant review
before the great tribunal on high, an inn
mense influence for good would be eXer-
! cised upon their modes OF life and man.
ners of thought. If they were possessed
of this belief and should feel that every
act and deed passed before Christ in judg-
ment their conduct would be regulated ac-
cording 10 altogether different ideals from
! those which now animate them. If this
| idea should take hold of the minds of men
| ii would take away all fear of public opin-
ion, and men would no longer regard the
| popular tribunals Ii is true that there
are those who take this view and VINO
| regulate their ideas accordingly. but these
| unfortunately are sanity men and devot-
ed women whose lives are already submit
| ted to divine guidance and not those upon
| whom this influence is most to be desired
There is evidently an important truth
under this doctrine of judgment if it can
only be recovered. Mr. Strong said we
| can realize no benefit from this doctrine
| of judgment unless ii is understood 10
| mean that we stand constantly before the
| judgment seat Of God. Only settle this
| question and We settle forever the ques-
| ton to what tribunal We should refer our
acts. There can be but one answer and
| that is that it is to the tribunal of Christ
and Christ alone that our acts should be
! referred.
| Mr.. Strong compared the effect upon hui
man life and character of the two differ
| ent points of view. One regards the judg-
| ment day as distant and remote, the other
| as ever present. The first says that one
| day we shall stand before the tribunal of
! God where every act shall be judged. 1t
! is a solemn consideration, but the majority
of men are but slightly impressed by it,
| The idea of a distant Judgment day has
| failed to impress men as they ought to be
| impressed by such a mOmentous truth
| On the other hand is the present judgment
| where every word and thought is passed
| in review and immediate sentence passed
| Men cannot fail to be impressed with the
| idea that their words and thoughts and
| deeds are brought before Christ, and com
| pared with his words and thoughts and
! deeds. For the man who accepts this idea
| the question of human responsibility is
| settled forever.
| The whole duty of man to God and
| Christ Is settled by Christ himself His
| ethical system is full and complete out
lining the full duty of man towards God
| and towards his fellow man. Under this
moral constitution rewards and punish
ment are not delayed for future exist
| ence, but are immediate. This is a most
powerful consideration to human beings
| The great principal of judgment as out
| lined by Christ, is that whatsoever a man
| soweth, that shall he also reap. This is
as true in nature as in human affairs The
principal is illustrated in the whole
natural world AS we rise from matter to
morals we find that the same unerring law
prevails. Good results arise from good ac-
| lions. Good and evil bring respectively
| their own rewards and punishments. It
| is as true of nations as of individuals
| Where political treachery usurps the place
| of patriotism, the greed of wealth crowds
! out regard for better things, and that par
| ty which governs political conscience that
nation is foredoomed. The individual who
| leads life of selfish industry, self-seeking
| and Indifferent to the rights and feelings
/ of others, dies unwept by a single honest
! tear. The Christian who leads a life Of
| truth and simplicity whose only deed are
/ deeds of kindness to others, fearful only
| of self, becomes a man among men and
receives the touch of many kindly hand
| The law and the penalties are not suspend
4 ed until we reach the great white throne.
| Each deed and act works out its own re-
ward. Eternal things are too great for the
/ grasp Of mortal minds. 1t is here that we
| see the reward of our own words. Evil
/ brings it's own punishment, and every good
deed is fruitful of good results"
| -s-o-s-
ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH,