The morning news., 1899-04-03

concerning sin, his provision concerning
SIN and His promise to sinners"
Dr. Burrows discussed these three di-
visions OF has text. The plea of God con-
cerning sin is not the charge of the Judge
TO the guilty culprit at the bar, inquiring
II there be any reason why sentence should
not be passed upon him, but an invitation
to come and reason with God if perchance
there may be an excuse for his sin. 1t
gives men TO understand that they haze
the ear of God and that though other ears
may De deaf to their entreaties Gods ears
are open 10 them, If men would only
pray, II they would only say to God what
they really feel instead of making mere
formal petitions, he would hear them. Let
them tea him because they have sinned
they could not help it, that il is
the infirmity of their own weak natures
that leads them to sin.
Dr. Burrows said that oftentirnes men
spoke OF sin lightly, acknowledging them
serves sinners even with a smile on their
ups Not two years since he was well
coming a newcomer to his city and extend
ing 10 MIN his good wishes for his success
Chere when the man said in reply ct su,,-
pose l am one of those hell-deservine sim
ners, as you call them" Inside of a wear
ne hsled a bloody grave, having died as he
sinner ans
Wisdom speaks to men in the streets
put 10 What, an unlikely auditory. She
calls to the man of business intent upon
his affairs, the rise and fall Of stocks upon
change. She calls to the man of pleasure.
seeking his enjoyment at various shrines
but her calls fall upon deaf ears God
reasons with man through afiiction and
sometimes brings him to see The error Of
his way.
Speaking of the sinners excuse. DR.. Rur-
rows said that no man was ever So cover
ed with sin that he could not find sop,e
excuse to offer to God He spoke this
from his own experience. When he de-
hghted IN sin he could always find some
plea in his own defense He would attrib-
ute it to inherited traits, to moral defects
whlch could not be overcome, to the sur
roundlngs in which he was. placed ana
various other grounds. q
The subject on which God desires IN
reason with man is sin. 1t is a disagree
able subject, He would gladly pnt il
away. II enters into every phase of life
men talk ABOUT the dogma OF sin Ii is
no such thing. IT is a fact 1t enters into
all the difficulties and sufferiugs of the
human body and mind, under all its differ
ent conditions and phases, this thing which
we so simply call sin. Il A man may be a
Christian and yet continually wrestle with
sin
When God begins to talk about sin if is
the question of its removal he wishes 10
discuss with You. II is not an argument of
the justice of condemning sin. There ls
such an argument. He is infinitely Just
and wise.
Though they be as scarlet, though they
be as crimson, / will make them white as
snow" he says. While he Is an unchange-
able God he is to me a changing God. He
will forget my iniquities. He will blot ont
my transgressions. If there is a mind in
terested in blotting out my iniquities it Is
the great mind of God He will blot out
the scarlet of my unhallowed life and make
1t as White as snow"
Gods forgiveness is not mere remission
of sin. He does not want a free sinner,
but free saint.
1--WE commonly look upon the scarlet sin
as murderous, leprous sin. We commonly
think of the sinner as the heather in far
away China, and pride ourselves upon be-
ing so much better than he. Are there no
sinners going to he'll from this enlightened
city?
How often do we sing above the coffin
of some departed friend ASLEEP in Jesus
and place upon his grave a floral tribute
emblematical of eternal hope, when the
fact is that he has gone to he'll. Those who
live in civilized lands and under enlight-
ened conditions and look upon sin un-
moved, whether in the church or out Of
it, are the chief of sinners. Those who do
not pray are the chief sinners.
Opposed to an these futile human efforts,
TO overcome sin, which are vain, stands
the proposition of God II will" Though
your sins be as crimson, they shah be as
white as snow. Though they be as scarlet,
they shall be as WOOL
Gods provision for sin, said DR. Burrows.
Is Jesus Christ and his sacrifice. az cannot
sacrifice myself. There is naught that I
can answer to the indictments against me
In the high courts of heaven. But l can
come. 1 can approach His throne. even
upon my hands and knees, and there l
can stand and say to Him, Thou didst say
conae."