Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-01
RESPONSIBILITIES OF LIFE
Rev, Il. o. Herring Speaks of the Danger in
Bvading Them.
DRIFTING WITH CURRENTS OF CUSTOM
Preacher says Men shrink from Test
ing PRESENT Duty by the stern
Light of the Judgment
Day.

Rev. Hubert G. Herring preached at the
First Congregational church Sunday morn
ing from the text and theme: What is
Your Life7" James 4, 10. These were
the words Of the disciple in that eplstle.
The pastor dwelt upon the evidences Of a
divine origin Of the human soul, and the
Christian view of the service due to Christ,
who has ransomed his soul, and closed as
follows:
"If there is any one danger which more
than another threatens me and my fellow
men It is that Of evading the full accept
ance Of the responsibility OF our lives.
We drift with the currents of custom and
prejudice and example. We yield to the
caprice and passion and weakness within
ourselves. We shut our eyes to the far
reaching consequences of our influence. We
refuse to take the long view Of things ex-
tending far beyond today's sowing to the
harvest, which it will bear. We shrink from
testing the present duty by the stern light
Of the judgment day. We are impatient Of
the discipline where full ~fruitage can only
be found in the long ages of the future.
I'VE read with blind eyes and unrespon-
sive heart the parable of the talents where
from the gentle lips OF Christ is taught
not only the lofty record of f~aithfulness,
but the fearful irremediable disaster, which
waits on faithlessness to our trust. 1t Is
the distinguishing glory OF our Puritan
fathers that they accepted as no other
class Of men have ever done, the full re-
sponsibility Of life. Doubtless they were
too sombre a visage, often they failed In
their sense of the proportion Of things.
But no man destitute Of the Puritan spirit
can ever stand level with life's demands.
This is my answer to the apostles ques-
ton from out the heart of my own deepest
faith. My life Is Gods gift bearing the
dignity Of its divine origin summoning me
to respect myself for the divine in me and
which defles His image.
my life is Christ's, the purchase of His
love and agony, to be yielded to Him in
grateful service.
my life is my own. lowered with I'M
fulfilled possibilities which 1 must attain
through toll and pain and earthly love, II
need be.
80 there are three ownerships, three
seals Of possession upon my soul. But
there is no conflict between them. For all
things are mine, and l am Christ's and
Christ is Gods.
81 have opened to you my own heart. I
now lay the question on yours. What Is
your life? Are you facing it's Significance?
Are you dealing fairly With !ts high and
solemn issues? My brother, l beg you to
remember. whoever you are, whatever you
do, how glorious is the treasure in your
keeping. how ~perilous your watch and
guard. In the midst Of your adversely,
buffeted by misfortune, faint and sick. for
get not that your life need not suffer. The
buffeting Of the waves will pass. Oh, keep
the integrity of your soul. Cherish your
life's health.
"In the midst Of your prosperity. grasp
ing with eager hands the pleasures and
ambitions of the world. ! beg you to re-
member that your 4ife Is more than these.
II In their pursuit your soul suffers loss
there IL nothing that can make 1t good