The age-herald., 1901-01-07
A FINE SERMON BY
 REV. JOHN C.. MURRAY
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 'In the mind of many, repeat, there is no doubt regarding the condition of the dead. They believe that the teaching either of conditional immortality or universal restoration in eternity puts premium upon vicious living here in time. There are others who believe the opposite and deny that God can withdraw proba ton, either in time or eternity, except ill the prostitution of justice and crucfixion of love and mercy. No voice has ever come form the dead with declaration to banish the doubt with which these different views of men have shrouded the question of pro- bation beyond the grave. Regarding this question the lips of experience are dumb as the waste places of the world. And so, regarding those who have gone out of this life without taking advantage of the op- portunity of their probation here there may be, there must be doubt That we have this opportunity here, there cannot be. there is no doubt. Eyes that will see, behold it. Ears that will hear, receive it. Lips that will partake, taste and proclaim 1t. Observation notes it. Experience re- alizes it. And so it is that if we would have the confidence of life, as well as be strong in the assurance of the glory of death, we should discharge the immediate obligation of improving the available op- portunity of our present condition.
 And this brings us to the question, How can we so discharge this immediate obli- gation as to assure the accomplishment of what is possible in the work and experi- ence of the Christian life?
 Jeremiah answers, first, by knowing self; and then by making a complete sur render of that self with all its ways to God. Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. Let us lift up our hearts with our hands unto God in the heavens
 This Is the exhortation and command of the Prohet in the text. He is lamenting for Jerusalem, devastated and degraded in the past by reason of IsraeFs ignorance of her own condition, her obligation to the other nations of earth, and her commission from Jehovah in heaven. That there might be reformation and restoration, he says, Let us seek to know ourselves; let us look in the face of God.''
 Study Ourselves, Not Others.
 And there is no other way to live the Christian life today. If man would do right, he must know wherein he may be wrong If he would know wherein he may be wrong, he must know himself. If he would know himself, he must also know God, to know whom alright is life eternal This is an acquaintance which, in its per lection, few men have. We are too intent upon knowing other people ito become very well informed regarding ourselves. And we are too much absorbed in self to have time to truly study and know God.
 If we would realize the accomplishment of what is possible in the work and exper- fence of the Christian life, there Is upon Us the immediate obligation to change this order of procedure Being absolutely consis- tent with our profession as Christians, be- ing obedient to the spirit of the teachings of Christs gospel, will effect this change The -pralctice of this consistency and the exercise of this obedience devolve upon us the duty of sef-examination-the study of self by self that self may be understood and known. And this comprehensive study of self involves a full consideration of our per. sonal relation to all our surroundings-our home, our fellow-man, our country and our God. Happiness Is the legitimate inheri- tance of those who live the Christian life But this happiness must be that of radi- ation to others, not of concentration in self; must bring peace to our homes, fidei- ity to our fellowmen, honor to our country and glory to our God.
 "ShaH we endeavor to make such happi- ness ours? Shall we, at the beginning of this new year and century, enter upon such righteous retirement with self and God as will enable us to emerge therefrom armed and able to realize the future pos- sible accomplishment of the Christian life the bringing of the submission of the Nag areth home, and the peace and love of the Bethany family to our hearthstone and our fireside; tfle ministering of the sympathetic touch of leper cleansed, deaf ear unstopped blind eye made light of dead raised up and sinner saved, to foe as well as friend; the due recognition of Caesars rights, while proclaiming with our lips and expressing in our lives the majesty and power of the