The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-05-29
CHIEF AIM
OF OF MANKIND.
Subject of An Address Deliver
ed By Mr.. Boyer.
LAST IN A GOOD SERIES
An Address That Was Listened tn with
Marked Attention Byl the Au-
dience That Was
Preeent.

The last In a series OF addresses was
delivered by General Secretary Arthur
s. Boyer at the association rooms Sun
day afternoon. The attendance while
not large was listened to by a number
of the younger members who were very
attentive throughout the address which
was very pleasing to the hearers. Mr..
Boyer said that "the first and greatest
concern Of man is religion. Why seem
to any rational being a subject worthy
on to be treated with indifference or re-
PEELED with aversion? Some care too
little about the subject to make 1t a
matter of direct and serious considera-
ton, as II they had nothing to do with
the being who made them, nor with the
scenes Of that invisible state to which
they are Fastening. Give affections,
thoughts, all to things Of sense and
time. II religion ever intrudes inself on
their minds, Immediately repelled as an
subject of ridicule and gesting. I ask
this proper, is 1t rational? Is It worthy
of one who wishes to be distinguished
from the brutes that perish, in that he
has been endured by the Creator with
the power of thought and is destined
to exist beyond the grave?
"Why is religion subject Of so little
interest? It claims to have its origin
in revelation from God; it discloses
truths and objects Of the most import
ant and weighty character; tells you
what you are; what the design Of your
present existence; what awaits you in
the unseen state to which you cannot
but feel that you are advancing. Is
this then a subject to be set aside as
unworthy of thought and reflection?
Oh, no; you say, believe there is
God who made and upholds all things,
and that I have within me spirit of
noble quality, which is to survive the
dissolution Of the body, and exist for
ever. Do you indeed believe this?
What, believe there is a God and yet
not fear, serve nor scarcely think Of
Him. Is 1t an offense that he has made
known to you his great and adorable
character and required you to yield
to Him the homage of grateful and
pious affections? An offense that He
has given you an immortal existence;
that He has opened for you way Of
salvation through the death Of His son;
that He is making to you the offer Of
pardon and life? These are the prin-
NJ tn al in torfo not
can you expect by aversion to religion?
1t cannot alter your relation to God,
these-as immutable as His throne. 1t
free you from your obligations
to devote yourself to the service of
God; these are as eternal as your being.
It cannot extinguish the immortal spark
which your Creator has lighted up with
In you; this is to survive the changes
Of time, and forever to brighten amid
the splendor Of heaven, or quench it's
glory in the flames Of hell. Your high
est interest, most important duty to
this religion to your bosom as
the sweetest solace Of life and richest
Inheritance of the soul. What God
says Is forever. His truth shall stand
when all the speculations Of vain man
shall have vanquished as a dream.
Then renounce all notions Of your own
and take the bible as your guide. The
simple question isis religion reality;
Is 1t founded in truth, does God require
me to love, serve and believe in the
Lord Jesus Christ; and has he suspend
ed the salvation of my soul on obedience
to this command? If this be admitted
1t Is nothing to me, IL all the world
neglect religion. This is a personal con-
Germ. We are to give an account to
God each one Of himself. On the great
day 1t will not save you or me because
some one else neglected religion. Each
will stand or fall by himself. And each
receive in his own person the joyous
or dread reward Of external life or eter-
nal death.