The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-01-02


vices.
Mr.. Dickson delivered an earnest and
scholarly address, containing much
practical thought. He spoke from Mat
thew, 1872: son. he of good cheer"
Mr.. Dickson said, in part:
Such an eXhortation as the text be-
fore us affords we cannot imagine AS
having ever been uttered either in
Heaven, or on this earth prior to the
fall of mankind. Where perfect happi-
ness exists as the result of perfect liv-
ing, no such command would either be
necessary or ever thought of. But
when sin entered the world il brought
with il as its legacy to mankind, trouble
and sorrow, and in the service of these
evils, men and women have remained
ever since. Our whole creation groan-
eth and travaileth in pain together un-
til now, writes Paul to the Romans.
And this being so, if the whole creation
is to continue to groan and travail our
lot whether followers of Christ or not,
Will be a most unhappy one, since with
out some assurance of salvation from
sin and it's effects, we will he without
hope both in this world and the next.
AN UNUTTERED CRY.
There is an unuttered cry going up
from hearts bowed down by oppression,
physical and mental, the world over
hearts crying for proper ground for
happiness, for sure outlook over life
and for a peace which will not fade
away. \ mere temporary peace Is not
what is asked for or even demanded,
but something permanent and lasting
and which will cheer the heart. 1t will
be idle talking to speak to men, who
are bowed down with sorrow or per-
pleXities, about CheerfulncSs, unless we
can offer them a good and sufficient
reason why they should be glad and
not dOwnCast. Our false philosophy
would at once be made manifest to
them, and they would reject the advice
quicker than it was offered.
But if on the contrary a man comes
to his ncighbor, who, for instance, has
lost all his money by the failure of a
bank and tells him that he has reason
for being glad once more because the
directors will pay all the loss. then he
brings a message which will revive and
quicken his friend and give him cause
for rejoicing. Now just so. if to men
who are downhearted and discouraged
because of sins and because of the
failure of their struggles against them,
we can bring arguments and proofs to
show reason why they should be of
good cheer, then we will be confering
a lasting favor on mankind.
1t has been said that the history Of
the world clusters around two person.
alities, Adam and Christ. BY the first,
sin and all its woes entered the world,
but by the second, life and immortality
have come to light through the Gospel.
In Adam we all die and lose every life,
but in Christ shall all be made alive,
and in Christ our every hope revives
for the present world and for the world
to come.
To go to any great length in present
ing our hopes in Christ for the future
would take much more time than can
now be given. But ] wish in closing
to point out to you three grand reasons
for good cheer.
WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE.
In the first place. we should be of
good cheer because Christ has made it
possible for us to resist sin. He has
| made us sons of God and as John
says, "Whosoever is born of God doth
not commit sin," that is, the habitual
sin is taken from him and he no longer
sins from choice.
In the second place. we must be Of
good Cheel because ChriSt'S overcOm
ing of the world has implanted in US
a new hope which we call faith" As
| John again says, "WhosOever is born
| of God overcometh the world" and this
| is the victory that oVercometh the
| world, even our faith.
If we have this faith, nothing can
| move us or make us afraid. Faith to
| believe that Christ is our living and
! risen Savior and that He ever lives to
! intercede for us. A God interceding for
| us-is there any more sublime or en-
| COuraging word than that?
Then third and last. Christ by over
coming the world has and will put an
end to death for us. We will not lie
| forgotten in our graves through the
! countless ages Of eternity, but will rise
to live and reign with him in mansions
| prepared for those that love him. Here
! is the source of our greatest hope and
| happiness. Here is the goal toward
! which we are struggling and to which
we hope to come. In that goal we vii
! find that our labor has not been in vain
| in the Lord hut that what we there
! will enjoy will fully repay all the pri'
| vation and bitterness, if that be oul
lot, in this world.
| Now. in closing. let me ask a ques-
| tion. If belief in Jesus Christ and
| obedience to Him brings reasons fol
| good cheer concerning the past, the
| present and the future, is there ground
| for misgiving in any believers heart
| Shall we not, on the contrary, rejoice
! in the Lord all our days? Let our faces
! show the JOY which is in our hearts
! and allow the peace and joy, which
| have become part of our very life, tC
| work out before the eyes of the world
! the peaCeable fruits of righteousness.
HAS OPENED A WAY.
! And I would ask those whose hearts
| are still out Of Christ, if | have made
| it plain that Christ by his divine ma
! ture has opened a way by which youl
! sins will he taken from You and prom
/ Used to receive you as sons and daugh-
! terS is there any reason why you
| should not accept the gracious offer
! If YOU offer your hearts and lives tC
/ the Savior he will accept them and blot
! out your sins for Christ's sake. He vii
! then implant hope in your heart. HC
| may give you as your lot to pass
! through hard trials and tribulations
| nut the promise of future victory is
| also given since he has endured all and
overcome all in his own person once
! for you.
All this I have tried 20 make plain
| And is there any reason for a refuSa
| to ACCEPT such a wonderful offer,
! Think of it! Your sins forgiven, :
! power abiding i'm your life giving hope
! for a victory over sin and death, anC
! finally Heaven TO crown il all. n,
| mortal can offer such gifts, or make
| such promises. 1t is only our Lord and
| Savior, Jesus Christ who i'm view of al
| II involves can TO all his followers say
BE Of good cheer"
NEW OFFICERS CHOSEN.