The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-15
Sunday Sermon.
THE NEW BIRTH.

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye
must be born again.-John, Ill, I.
The command comes to us in the
form of an Orientalisp, and has,
therefore, caused the unimaginative
Western mind to stumble. If received
in it's right light, however, it express
es a truth which must be recognized
as the antecedent of a successful life.
No man can possibly make the best
use of himself or of his circumstances
until he accords with it's provisions:
neither can he be healthy in body or
spirit.
When one is about to move into Il
new house, for example, the furniture
is deposited by the transporter in any
place which happens to be most con-
venient. His business is not to put it
where it belongs, but simply to carry
it without injury and leave it where
ever he thinks it will be safe. When
YOU arrive you find everything in con-
fusion. You cannot live in that house
with any comfort until you have
changed the chaos to order. The
kitchen utensils must be taken from
the drawing room, and the drawing
room furniture from the kitchen.
What belongs to each room must be
placed in that room, and what does
not belong there must be removed. 1t
is a work of time to put down the
rugs and hang the pictures, but when
the task is completed you have a home
instead of a house and all things in it
contribute to your daily happiness.
You leave it with reluctance in the
morning and go back to it with pleas
ure at night. You have made a def
mite and distinct effort to use the ma
terials of which you stand possessed
in such way that you and your envi-
ronment will be in harmony with each
other. Every article is where it should
be, and you and your household are
at peace.
The same thing should be done with
the soul. Nature has endowed us with
certain faculties which, if some Of
them are properly developed and 9th
ers are rigidly suppressed, will pro-
duce an entirely satisfactory result
We begin life, however, with such con-
Trajectory qualities of character that
we dare not trust ourselves to follow
our impulses or our moods At one
moment we are lenient and at another
harsh; at one moment generous and
charitable and kindly and at another
selfish and mean and sordid. If mere
impulse rules, our years will be con-
fusion worse COMPOUNDED, and though
we live to fourscOre we shall reach no
great or good result.
Every body must needs recognize
this picture as a portrait of himself.
1t is a portrait of human nature in all
ages and all chimes.
1t is necessary therefore for mar
to have a plan, as the contractor has
who constructs a house; high and
noble purpose, and a conviction that
that purpose is worth any sacrifice
of pleasure or profit that its accom-
plishment calls for Having the plan,
or purpose, and having come to the
conclusion that he can realize his
ideal with the faculties God has given
him, he is on the threshold of a new
career, he has new outlook. The
moment he feels sure that it will pay
from now until the end of eternity to
be honest in spite of any temptation.
to be unselfish even though great
sacrifice is demanded. to be helpful to
his fellow men not merely by precept
but by example, to bear the ills of fife
with such cheerful endurance as he
Cdtl1 COIilIlditl anu ~ Keep HIS soul Ill
perfect honor and uprightness, that
moment he is in line with the laws of
the universe, that moment the Lord
God will pour into his heart revelation
of glory which will uplift, inspire and
bless, and that moment, as new
born creature, he kneels at the feet
of the Christ, calm, serene, sure of
earth and surer still of heaven.
There is no mystery whatever about
this new birth. 1t is the simplest
thing in the world and is based on
common sense. If | tell you that you
cannot let your business run loose
and reap therefrom a hoped for in
come, you admit the truth of the state
ment without dissent. Argument on
that point is folly, for the fact is self
evident. If | tell you that | would not
care to shoot the Racine Rapids with
a pilot who did not know where the
rocks were, You wonder that | should