Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-08-28

At the North Street NJ. E. Church
last evening Rev. c. B. Graham deliv-
cred very thoughtful sermon upon the
theme 1.-THE Unfinished Character. -
His remarks, which were listened to
atentively by the large congregation
present, were in part as follows:
"Ephriam is a cake not turned. -
Nos. 7, s.
This name is frequently used in the
Bible, but only applied to few cases.
"Ephriam was the name of Abasom'S
sheep farm, at which took place the
murder of Ammon, as recorded in 2
Sam 13, %.
"Ephriam was the name of forest
east OF the Jordan in which a famous
battle was fought between the armies
of Absolom and David. 2 Sam IS, 6.
This text is figure of rhetoric call
ed metaphor. Ephriam is a cake not
turned, and this presents TO us an I'M
finished character.
For this figure is taken from the
custom of the people at that time in
baking their bread in the ashes or on
the hearth or other stones. When it
was baked on one side they would turn
it over that it might bake on the other
That was such a crude way of prepar-
ing food that it is difficult to make the
young people here understand that 1t is
not fiction. We notice first that all of
Gods work is perfect.
"a few of the classes who should be
called EphramiteS-Those who live
alone for their own pleasure. We do
not believe for moment that the Lord
wants his people to be sad. 0, no; not
by any means. He wants his follow
ers to rejoice and be happy every day.
The Bible gives far more rules for re-
joicing and praising than for weeping
or wailing. But there is a great diff
ference between a worldly, selfish
pleasure and religious joy. No man
can be real happy who seeks his own
or worldly pleasure. 1t is disappoint-
ing and no one ever reaches his own
ideal of it. 1t is transient and can not
give a perfect satisfaction. A young
man or woman who gives themselves
entirely to the pursuit Of pleasure will
not long remain in the rank of their as
SociateS nor in the world
while at Charleston l met a man
whom l knew we'll few years ago as a
handsome young man, a leader in the
pleasure circle, and with money in
abundance. To-day he has neither
money nor manhood and is an object OF
pity and sympathy, while he could
have been one of the leaders in business
in that city l met another of about the
same age who denied himself worldly
qualifications and applied himself to
business, and he is leader in one of
the finest wholesale mercantile houses
in that city. These are only contrasted
samples of which I could give you
many from my own observation. The
Savior's law on the subject of self
denial is one of the best possible rules
for young man or woman who desires
to make the most of themselves for the
present and the future world.
Again, those who live for the ac-
emulation of wealth are Ephramites.
Every man should be ambitious and in
dustrious and seek not only to obtain
a fair remuneration for all he is and all
he does in a business way. and he
should seek to Gay by for the Lord S
cause Systematically and to lay by for
himself and those who are or may be
dependent upon him. | am frequently
astonished at the lack of manhood man
Tested by many people who allow them
selves to become objects of charity.
There are many in perfect health who,
without any serious calamity, go to the
county and State officials for orders,
as though it was an honorable business.
And the same is true with our church
benevolent societies. And it is the
abuse of these that led to that Con
ference of Charities which met in Gin
cinnati, O., in May, to formulate plans
for the protection of the churches. In
nearly all the cities many persons have
been found who make it business to
go the rounds of the churches for
revenue only.
Again we would classify as Ephra-
mites all self-seekers.
Whatever be the person or class who
seeks the gratifying the craving OF the
world, whether that be fame, fashion,
or folly of some other name.
Il know a prominent lecturer who
can electrify an audience with his elo-
quence who has resorted to the use OF
drugs to stimulate him until he is COM
PEELED now to be constantly under the
care Of physician.
Some of the greatest poets and spec
ialists ever had come under this I'M
desirable figure. Bryan, Burns, Poe
and others are cakes unturned.
We believe that every man is great
measure the architect Of his own fate,