Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-03
THE CHURCHES SUNDAY
Pastors Deliver Able and Eloquent
Discourses.
Tho Attendance Large Aotwithstnnd-
ing the Inciement weather and
Attention I.aid to the Gospe. Les
sons TauEht-synopsis of Sermons.


cold weather. The attendants were i'm
pressed with the responsibilities with
which the new year is pregnant, and
the sermons being appropriate to New
Years Day, they paid close attention
to the lessons incufcated.
The evening sermon of Rev. L. r.
Christie, at Spurgeon Memorial Bap-
list Church was founded on the text:
whatsoever is begotten of God over
cometh the world"-I John 5:4. His
theme was: "Can the Saved be Lost?"
He said in part:
If we are to answer correctly the
question contained in the subject. it is
necessary to ascertain who are the
saved Moral reformation is not always
Indicative of change OF heart or of
vital union with Christ, for they are
not all Israel which are of Israel"
The saved are OF those who only
keep the commandments. as did the
rich young man, but whatsoever is be-
gotten of God C'born again'D over
cometh the world. Unto these Christ
gives eternal life, and they shall never
perish. neither shall any man pluck
them out of His hand"
First. Salvation is everywhere offer
ed now. Now is the day or saliva
tion." HE that beleveth on the Son
|
used here. If God should revoke the
gift of eternal life, it would not be
eternal, but ephemeral.
Second. The eternal security of the
saved is in keeping with the character
of the finished work of Christ. HE
will perform 1T unto the day or Jesus
Christ" We work out our saliva ton"
because at is God that worketh in us.
both to Will and to do OF His good
plea sure"
Third. To declare the absolute Sc
entire sufIiciency OF the blood, not only
to save, but to keep.
THAT soul that on Jesus hath leaned
for repose,
He will not, He will not desert to It's
foes:
That soul, though all he'll should en-
deavor to shake
He'll never, no never, no never for
sake"
Fourth. The objections offered to the
Bible doctrine on this subject are hui
manly plausible, but not Scripturally
tenable. 1t is urged that the numerous
injunctions to believers to be careful
about their lives, would indicate the
possibility OF eventual failure. We re-
ply, fnilure is nowhere indicated and
these Very teachings serve to stimulate
Christian activity and careful living.
To make salvation thus dependent
upon ones own acts is to declare the
heresy which Paul sought TO fully re-
flute by declaring. 1--WE conclude. there
fore, that man Is justified without
the works of the law"
IT Is still further objected that If
Christians are taught they are certain
ly saved. they will become careless
about their spirituality. We reply, first.
that certainty of success never Great
Ell carelessneSs. (which hope we have
as an anchor both sure and stead
last Second, we believe. "if any man
be in Christ Jesus. he is n new crea-
tire The things which he once loved
he now hates" Jesus sahl: MY Father
which gave them me is greater than all
anu no man is able to pluck them out
Of His hand" The soul that is "hi1
With Christ in God Is safe" The world
the flesh and the devil are powerless to
tear from the body Of Christ one of
His living limbs.
THE NEW YEAR.
The Rev. Edward Mack preached an
eloquent and instructive sermon To a
large congregation at the First Pres
byterian Church Sunday morning from
the text: "Ye have not passed this way
heretofore" After Il brief historical ref
erence TO the leadership of the israel
ties by Joshua across the river Jor-
dan To the Land of Promise. the speak
er aptly applied his subject to the pres
ent day. He said:
Like the chosen people of God, under
the lead of Joshua. in passing over the
river Jordan who encountered new
trials and were blessed with new lows
so the people of this present time in
entering upon new year, realize that
there are trials as Well as joys be
fore them and possibly succession of
new Incidents.
tn
cupation OF the Land of Canaan, 70
which the Israelites were journeying.
are possibly the same that the Chris
tlanS OF to-day have for the new year
that is before them. The same quail
ties which enabled them 10 profit by
the new environments they were to
nave in the promised land VIII en-
able the followers of Christ now TO
profit by in the new year which has
Just dawned upon us There are three
requisites to this:
First. Courage. The Christian must
needs go forward with the courage
which is synonym for faith. He
must discard all timidty and be pos
sessed of indomitable courage.
Second. He must be sanctified. Josh
ua said: ''Sanctify thyself. for through
YOU the Lord will accomplish n Won
derful work" This requisite is neces-
sary to successful prosecution OF all
Christian work y man must be thor
oushly inspired With the duty and
beauty of his work.
A third and last requisite is n proper
observance of the ordinances Of the
church The ark which contoinod tbc
symbols Of Gods grace and power
was sent ahead in order that the child
rem Of Israel could see it, This was
done as an encouragement To them TO
go forward and so are all His promi-
ses to the church to-day 10 urge us on
II ns