The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-24
HOW TO ATTAIN HERoIsM.
Rev. Donald e.. Mcleod breaches OF
the Example Set by st. Paul.

the Example Set by ST. Paul.
Many strangers were among the large
congregation which gathered at the ser
vices at the First Presbyterian Church
on Fourth Street. between c and D. yes
terday morning. The Rev. Donald c. Nc
Leod, pastor of the church. preached
upon the theme of~she crowning example
of heroism. His text was taken from
Romans, x:3 "I could wish myself ac-
cursed for Christ, for my bretnren's
sake" He said in part:
In the eighth chapter OF this e1istlc.
Paul reaches the highest pinnacle of
Christian faith and hope. His personal
assurance of salvation is as strong as
if he had already entered through the
everlasting doors into the heavenly Jcru-
salem. But in the Kerry climax of his ex-
altation he had great heaviness and con-
tinual sorrow in his~-heart. He could
wish himself accursed from Christ for
his brethren's sake.
This is one of the sublimest and most
pathetic expressions of human sentiment
ever uttered We will not attempt TO ex =
plain or interpret this remarkable
declaration. Language is insufficient for
the task. 1t is one of those enhancing
experiences through which we must in
dividually pass in order to appreciate its
meaning.
Then we will consider the intensity Of
Pauls affection for his brethren that
raised him to the seif-sacrifcing spirit
of the life of Christ, in which he reveals
to the worth the supreme example of
heroism indicated in the text.
"Paurs love for his brethren, in the
light of their cruelty toward him. can
only he explained in the light of Pau's
relation to Christ. Christ loved and
saved Paul while he was sinner and
prosecutor of the Church. Paul had lhe
indwelling of Christ's spirit filling his
life with passionate love for the Jews,
his enemies.
I'VE can only reach the heroism OF
Paul's life by being possessed with the
spirit and love of Christ. The Church is
suffering from a lack of love rather than
a lack of light.
ABOUT 100 years ago a New England lad
went TO church with his father The min
lister, according 10 prevailing custom, re-
counted the penalties of the sacred law
against sin. The boy absorbed all this
with a terrible enthusiasm. He believed
in the awful fate hanging over him and
waited for his father, who he knew loved
him, 10 approach him on the subject and
lead him out of the position of danger. But
his father seemed Indifferent and said
nothing to him. That boy came to the
conclusion that his father did not believe
that sermon. He said to himself that it
was all false. That boy was William Chan
ming and that day Unitarianism was born
II was. the lack Of earnestness that was
responsible.
What the Christian Church needs today
is more earnestness. Another reason that
explains Paurs earnestness was strange
of the danger in which his brethren stood.
"A little boy was seized by an eagle and
carried by him TO the top of a mountain
The villagers collected and followed to the
foot OF the mountain. Who would dare
scale that dangerous height? One little
woman without waiting starts the upward
climb, up, up, where no hunters foot be-
fore had rested. She reached the eagles
nest, fought off the terrible bird, and
seized her babe. She descended the precl-
pice and at last stood among her people.
What gave that mother courage for that
act? The sense OF the danger OF her child.
1T is only the sense of danger that
makes heroes. 1t was tie sense of danger
TO our country in its every step in history
that made our national heroes. II is the
sense Of danger in every walk of life that
makes our heroes.
THE tendency of the age IS to explain
away sin. II is said that all our sinful
acts are but phase OF sickness and are t.
be remedied like all other disease.
But ! want TO tell you that sin is tie
most terrible most awful thing in the
world. Let us not believe that It is a dis
ease, for 1t would be most vile disease.
II We want to attain that intelligence that
marks the life Of st. Paul we must see ssh
with the eyes that love the example Of
Jesus Christ.
II want 10 appeal to you. if you want to
attain true heroism. and all men desn e
that end Do you want to be a hero n.
the sight of men, in the heart of God? Do
you want TO be a hero whose heroism will
shine through the ages? Then come and
give yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ"