The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-09-08

After enjoying the rest and recreation
Incidental to his annual vacation. fev.
lanes Mcleod, d. d., occupied his pull
oit yesterday morning and evening. AT
the latter service his discourse was
based on the subject of Perfect
Ideal of Religion" the text being found
in the sixth chapter of Micah and the
eighth verse. HE hath Showed thee.
O man, what is good: and what doth
the Lord require of thee but to be
Justly and to love mercy, and to walk
humbly with thy God?" He spoke, in
part, as follows:
I'm this text the prophet Micah an
swers three questions over which much
superstition exists as regards the
rights and ceremonies of religious be-
lief the purchase of salvation, and
bodily suffrage. The prophet here
draws a striking contrast between God
made religion and man-made religion,
md thus prompts us to ask the ques-
lion, How shall I come before God to
receive His blessing?'
"The true answer is only to be found
through the channel of divine revela-
tion. How often have the questions
been asked Does true religion consist
of forms, ceremonies or sentiments?
Will this idea or that idea bring Gods
favor, or me nearer to God? Some
people maintain such ideas today. but
God teaches us that these ideas have
no power.
NOT AN OUTWARD THING.
True religion is not an outward
thing, but thing of the heart. to all
who embrace it. We do find several
passages in the Scriptures where God
presents certain forms of worship, but
when people worship the adjuncts more
than the worship ITSELF they fall into
serious error. They think more Of
Gods exterior than inward grace.
1.-The fact needs to be emphasized
that this is kind of worship with
which God is not pleased. Incense is
an abomination in the sight of God.
Feeling is n poor substitute for faith,
because feeling is spasmodic. here to-
day and there tomorrow. True religion
is not a principle, not a rhapsody, and
to be content with ordinary things is
very easy but these things only soothe
for a short time. and will not stand
the test on the day of trial.
There are no tricks in simple faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the idea
that pardon from sin can be purchased
from God or that he can be bribed. Is
simply monstrous. Yet many Il man
has that idea. and has set his money
against sin, and lived and died in the
belief that by paying so much money
in this life he could purchase pardon in
the life to come. Multitudes have also
been led to believe that Gods pity and
pardon could be bought, but this is
preposterOus.
God is pleased with costly gifts and
offerings out of love, and those who
have and give little are not to be en-
vicd. They have not learned the alpha
eht of Christianity Love to Christ
must prompt the giver. and God would
rather have a full heart and an empty
purse, than an empty heart and a full
purse. But Gods favor cannot be pur-
chased.
WANTS TO GET AWAY.
"Multitudes have also inflicted pun
ishment by self-torture, by trying to
allay the fear of God, and when a man
feels the eye of God is fixed on him.
that man wants to get away. They
Cont know the meaning of the gospel;
that God is Love. The answer to these
questions is not by observing certain
religious forms and ceremonies: not by
self-torture. or trying to buy the way
into heaven; but to do justly, to love
mercy, and to walk humby in the
sight of God.
Christ demands that justice be done
between man and man, and between
man and God, for to be a Christian
man Is to be a just man, and to be
merciful is God-like. Sweet mercy Is
nObility's true badge of Gods delight
His mercy shines out clearly in the
work of Christ.
ITO walk humbly. to be humble, Is
to be Christ-like. Humility is the way
to the throne. God does not require
impossibiitles, but to do Justly, love
mercy and walk humbly You can't
obtain salvation by purchase or self
torture, but by being and doing good
by being correct and dilgent you will
attain the means of grace, and by
being just, mercful and humble before
God.
The answer to all questions as tc
how to approach God is given in these
three words, Justice, Mercy, Humbly
and those who aim after this end are
those who can expect Gods favor
hereafter"
RELIGIOUS NEWS NOTES.