The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-08-25

and interested two large audiences b.
her thoughtful discourses.
She Is a young woman, of pleasini
appearance, with dark hair, gray eye
and a sweet, sympathetic voice. lie
enunciation Is clear and convincing, ant
she is imbued with much fervor ant
enthusiasm in eXpounding the gospel
She has been in America just year
preaching in Ohio. New York state ant
Pennsylvania.
Her sermon last evening was baset
on the text Judge Ye What I Say,
from Paul's first espistle to the Corin
thians. During the course of her re
marks, she said:
MISS JONES SERMON.
Paul's Epistlcs were the guiding starr
of the ancient Christians, and their un
fading influence is still brilliantly illum
mating the intricate paths of all true be
levers. OF all his epistles, there is no
one. that appeals so directly and so dis
tinctly to the conscience of the people o
today, than those written to the Corinth
ian church--written at time of much
spiritual unrest, and reckless speculation
on matters spiritual.
Unbelief Is a prevalent source of mucf
mischief in this world, much more sc
when Bishop Butler wrote his Analogy
Infidel philosophers are still studying sci
ence in order to place 1t in hostile atti'
tude against the truths of Christianity
For them Christianity is a sort of play.
ground for all manner Of speculation by
which 1t is assailed on every hand 1e,
Christianity carries with it evidences
which are unassailable and beyond the
reach of external violence.
Science has failed to descry in Chris
tianity any character OF falsehood. Sci
ence has thrown missiles at 1t. but II
has failed to break the evidence but ii
has poisoned the minds of those who
never Judge for themselves" Let lis
maintain, that the Scripture is the stand
ard of truth. but on the other hand let
us bear in mind. that truth and ortho-
doxy are two things very different from
each other.
Orthodoxy in one age differs from that
of another age, so that there is no GER
tain standard of orthodoxy in any age
or nation. but truth is forever the same;
and it was respecting the truth. that Paul
urged the members of the Corinthian
church to Judge for themselves-"judge
ye what 1 say"
1t is only little over a century ago,
since people were cruelty prosecuted for
daring to think for themselves; especial
ly when they thought contrary to the
known maXims of the orthodox priests.
1t Is said that the papists bore the bell
of orthodoxy for 1000 years, when much
blood was shed-when England, France,
and the Netherlands swan in the blood
of those who dared to think for them
selves.
The extent to which these prosecutions
must have affected the people is meas
ured by the French persecution when
many thousands perished in prisons and
by the sword.
For centuries the fathers thoughts were
the forms of the sons thoughts. but
is extending and the habits
and thoughts of mankind are continually
changing. and are not likely to settle
down again into permanent form. Today
the rights of conscience are respected,
and religious toleration Is perfect, which
is a great gain and a great blessing. and
the progress thus made depended not so
much on philosophy or human teaching.
acceptable and effectual only as it is
adorned with the graces of eloquence and
power, but all progress is due
to God.
In my text see two great principles
to which shall call your attention. First,
individual responsibility"
Secondly-"rhe absolute need Of pri-
vate Judgment First-"Individual re-
sponsibility." When we feel, as it were
the great whirlpool Of humanity, as it
struggles and roars and seethes around
us; when we seem as mere toys borne
along by life's hurricanes blast, at the
mercy of a vast tempestuous sea of trou-
Dles and sorrows, there cannot be, amid
such conflicts, a more powerful incen-
i've to devout thankfulness. and adora
lion than the consciousness that the In
finite God created man, and formed him
or His own abode, and bestowed upon
lim the power of thinking and judging
md acting with particular work to per-
'orm and some particular purpose to
serve, with responsibility entirely his
own.
Man is Gods first consideration, and ev-
'rything else was created to that end-ail
1t mans service. at his command. Man.
therefore, is responsible and his respon-
;ibiity Is great-So great that he can
lever realize its full weight and signih-
'ance.
Few men are born to achieve some
,reat things in this world and fewer are
et apart to give public testimony for
'hrist at the stake or in prison but all
ire expected to reflect by public life the
nature and character of God, and serve
he purpose for which they We're created.
SOME sHIRK RESPONSIBILITY.
Some people shirk this responsibility
nder cover of heredity-a law of nature,
which means the reproduction of all
hings in nature, including vice and dis
ase. Physical, moral and intellectual
often descend from sire
o son. You know that right through
he whole realm of living things, there
uns the law of heredity; all that lives
epeats itself in the life of its offspring"
'ou have often noticed that while 1t is
he natural instinct of one animal to in
let pain, 1t is the natural instinct of the
ther to suffer pain, Every AMI
nal has its special characteristic
nd does no more than that for
'hich 1t was designed, You can
anne and train a ferocious animal to
How itself to be fondled and petted; its
erocious nature may be lulled to Sleep
s 1t were, but there is always danger
its native ferocity returning at any
loment. What Is true respecting the
,wer animals in this connection, Is
rue of mankind. Like begets like"
avage people are unenvable associates,
nd they are never safe until they arc
into rational beings by the
ndesevered mercy OF a just God.
But the law of heredity, as held and ad- |
ocated by some, practically robs men of |
II moral significance and individual re-
Just fancy the drunkard |
leading heredity as an excuse for beat |
lg and starving his wife and children,
lie will tell you that his parents We're |
and that he inherited the evil |
'om them, and therefore 1t could not be |
|
EVIL habits. early formed. are not easily |
ot rid Of but man Is a coward when |
Q endeavorS to appeaSe his guilty con- |