The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-25
INFLUENCE OF GREAT DECISION.
Sermon by Rev. H. w. kellogg on the
Life of Moses.

The Rev. II. W. Kellogg presented to his
congregation last evening the subject of
The influence Of A Great Decision" He
said in part: 1T is fortunate that in the
safe deposit of a favorable climate the
stone records of that ancient and mighty
people, the Egyptians, have been pre-
served. Their civilization is declared to us
in terms of architecture and decorations
with a vividness of a present eyewitness.
We walk mid its temples and witness the
worship. We visit its palaces and behold
the splendor of ancient life. Its schools
and libraries are open to inspection. All is
real with an impressiveness which is in
describable. We read this history with ut
most credit. The childhood of Moses is
about as familiar to us as that of Washing
ton. The games he played and the studies
he pursued in his school seem as il his life
were not far separated from our own
times. Grammar, history, arithmetic,
geometry, astronomy and engineering were
the common branches, and in the advanced
courses were added poetry and rhetoric.
In special training law and medicine were
provided, and Moses was learned in all the
wisdom Of the Egyptians His training as
a prince of the royal household gave him
special military education, which, accord
ing to Josephus, stood him well in land in
a campaign against the Philippians. where
by a great victory was won which gave
him distinction. Possessed of all the Gull
ture and influence that the best advantages
of this civilization could give him, con-
scious OF power, he might well expect to
gain all the honor and glory Egypt pos
sessed.
1T is a great moment in any life whe
the time comes to determine it's future
course. Whether this critical event came
in the natural order of the progress of a
mighty soul, a necessary step in advance
or was precipitated by some pressure of
circumstance we know not. We do know
that 1t was in the time of full manhood.
We may look into the council chamber,
where the judge is to decide upon the dis
posal OF a life, and listen to the arguments
from which he will form his opinion. Plead
ing voice are there, with which the world
is familiar. Pleasure presents his case, Of
ferinS bright and happy moments, which
must ever allure. Wealth pleads his adj
vantages with a potency of argument
which is almost irresistible. Fame makes
a strong case and royalty adds to all the
promise of immortal honor. How attrac-
tive the picture they present to a sensitive
human soul. These offers are substantial.
They rise in the glistening towers of pal
ace and temple, fair gardens and art which
stretch away as far as the eye can follow.
A grant city, a mighty nation! To reject
these is to abandon all hope of ever ~receiv-
ing them from another source, for there is
no other. To reject these is to invite
shame and disgrace and companionship
with the most wretched slave. To be COM
PEELED to suffer affection
But when the verdict is rendered IL is
in favor of giving life to the worst. Is this
madness? Is reason for the time departed?
Rational judgments are to be accounted
for according TO unvarying law. If this
judgment is right there must be some
other reason not yet disclosed. If it is not
In the realm of the seen then ii must be in
the unseen. And here IL is. BY faith
Moses made the choice. Moses heard voices
which common ears do not hear. Voices
which plead for realities beyond what hu-
man eyes see. To cast lot with a despised
people to-day may bring leadership to a
scheme which the Almighty has inaugu-
rated. Slaves to-day may be princes to-
morrow, ruling empires vaster than Egypt.
The logic of appearances is fallacious. He
who rules life by 1t shall regret it forever.
The responsibility of choice is great. To
be able for this is mans chief glory. his
distinguishing honor. Remove this and he
is no better than the beast. TIC use it
Alright crowns manhood with glory"