Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-08-27
TRIALS and TEMPTATIONS
4 Brilliant Sunday Sermon By Rev.
George p. Eckman.
Differentiates Between Enticenlcnt TO Evil
and Temptation In III: Sense o.
Providen'ial Trial.

REV York CIrY.-The Rev. George !.
Eckman. pastor of st. Paul's nj. p. Church,
preached Sunday morning on "Irlais ana
Temptations" He took his text from
James i: u: blessed is the man that en-
dureth temptations; for when he is tried,
he shall receive the crown OF life, whica
the Lord hath promised to them that love
Him." Mr.. Eckman said
The beattude chosen for our text stands
central to the discussion of temptation
which James pursues in this chapter. The
subject is considered under two aspects.
The writer begins with temptation in the
sense of providential trial, and concludes
with temptation in the sense OF seduction
to evil The one may be understood as
proceeding from God, though it is per-
mitted by Him in the process of human
discipline The one is hailed as an occasion
of good. The other is denounced as the
source of injury. Before the one the au-
thor sounds a trumpet of gladness Be-
Toward the one we should assume an atti-
tude OF friendlness. Toward the other we
must maintain bearing of hostility. 10
the test of both phases of temptation we
are bound to be subjected. From the con.
test with each we may return triumphant.
Over the victorious contestant in each
combat the author shouts, Blessed is the
man that endureth temptation. Let us
turn to the apostles discussion of this ever
important theme.
Count it all JOY when We fall into divers
temptations," he exclaims Observe that
these are providential troubles. They are
not se,f-nficted, The sufferer has fallen
into them They are unsought, unexpected
and unwelcome. They constitute what in
worldly par,ance are called calamities. Yet
in the very midst OF the maelstrom of mis-
fnr hn hrEi n ~
with exceeding great JOY.
Jublant in troube-the thing is utterly
preposterous to the mind which knows
nothing higher than earthly philosophy.
Shall the merchant sing cheerly while his
commercial structure is crashing in ruins
about him? Shall the youth smile serenely
while the fondest ambitions of his life are
being ruthessly defeated? Shall the Just
man be exultant while society condemns
him for his piety and goddess men hate him
for his virtue? Yes. if he is Christian.
James would reply. Let him count it all
joy when he falls into these dire straits.
They are deeply significant Of good to him,
however difficult it may be to discover
their value. What madness this seems to
the wording!
A moments reflection will prove even to
The children of this word that ioyousncss
in affection which at the first appears to be
an unnatural and Superhuman temper un-
der the circumstances. Is actually easier
aud more philo~ophic than mere rcsgna.
ton and foittudc Is it not better for a
man in tho midst of rushing stream to
, race the torrent. breast the waves and
stride mp against the current than to turn
, his hacl; upon the food and try % stand
erect whore he l.? Will he not be sure to
fail to keep his feet in the latte; instance;
VIII he not have immensely better chances
IT, stem tn" tide N the other fashion, "
is mech the same with trouble. Hc who
submits his back to the stroke OF adversely
and strives 10 bear cam countenanrr and
u brave heart whi'e hi, head is bowed with
grief. will sucrumb more easily to the Sor.
rows Of life than he who has a thankful
JOY in his heart born OF the knowledge that
to y Christian all the mi,erics for which he
j. not personally responsible are intended
for his advantage With such i fate the
sufferers face may shine. his heart may
leap and he may assert himself with Won
. drous aggrcssivenc>S. So he will stalk on
against the current, throwing oT the bill
lows as they pile upon him, and shouting
for Joy in the very mid.stream OF affection.
There is something deeper in the philoSo.
ply OF James. however, than the mere OF.
fering OF n wise method of confronting
trouble. He sees c,o,c relation between
trouble and triumphant lite. Count 1t
all Joy when We fall into divers tempta-
tons tor troubles: knowing this that the
irving OF Your faith workcth patience.
Bat let patience have her perfect work.
thar We may he perfect anN cntre. wanting
nothing. There is the formula Tor produr-
ing a strong aud symmetrical character.
1t reminds one OF PaUl'S statement. I'VE
glory IN tribulations also. Knowing that
trhulAtOn worketh patience and patience
experience aud experience hope, and hope
makeh not ashamed The person or
good character has no occasion Tor shame,
being perfect and entire wanting nothing.
i'ut such fulncs< OF life can only he OBJ.
tanned through ministry OF trial.
We can. at least. measure some OF the
effects OF tbs kind OF discipline. The try.
ing Of faith the proving OF ones conf.
dence tn the invisible but eternal admins
tration of God is not the least of these re-
suits Who will deny that without faith
IN the unseen it is Impossible to construct
a great character? SAID a distinguished
teacher. Great imagination may make
great poet; great logical power great
philosopher: great faculty OF observation
u great scientist. but nothing makes a
great man but great faith 1t is only
small people who insist on walking by
sight. The great souls dwell in the inciSi-
be The cheap crowd call such persons
ireamers But these dreamers alone attain
emineuce and power.
II was the faith Of Columbus which
swung the Western Hemisphere out OF oh.
livion nto light. 1t was the faith Of Luth-
or that rent asunAer the papal domination
and civil and religious liberty to Europe
and the western nations. II was the faith
vi Lincoln that swept the sum Of all val
anies FROM our borders and sent millions
OF ebon-Iaced men trom chains TO Suver-
eighty" 1t il the tdlh OF some NlInrous
soul that removes every mountain OF ditti.
Guilty, siraightena every crooked path and
so'veS every problem that halkS the pro.
gress OF truth. The list OF faiths cham.
plons engthenS with eich decade. BrIgh'
are the glories III those who through faith
subdued Kingdoms. wrought righteousness,
obtained promises. stopped the mouths OF
lions. quenched the violence of fire, es-
capped the edge of the sword, out of weak
ness were made strong. waNed valiant III
fight turned to flight the armies of the
Aliens Ry faith the greatest achieve
ments OF the spiritual as well as of the ma
teral world are won.
Endurance is the test OF character. Is
there any permancnce in its fiber! Mis-
fortune will answer the question. A great
conf'agration sweeps over city. Struct-
,lres of wood are devoured with avidity.
Stone ediices resist the flames with some
success, but they, too, crumb'e and dissolve
under the intense heat The steel safe
drops from the counting house and is
frighttuily bent and blistered. But heaps
Of god coin, now mere molten mass, from
which image and superscription have ell.
trely faded, still reveal the quality of the
yellow metal. Society discloses in its ca
tastrophes similar test. Adversely sweeps
like a plague over the land. Fortunes are
lost in the twnkling of an eye Business
is unsettled from the Atlantic to the Pa
cifc. The foundations of commercial sta
bility seem to be shattered before the ad-
vancing tide of financial ruin. Then only
the strong stand firm. The weak resort to
dissipation, to waste of body and soul, to
crime The pure become more pure. The
wicked grow more vicious. And thus the
event which brings blessing to one !. ngs
curse to another. 1t Is all matter of per-
sonal character Of moral fiber. BLESSED
ia the man that endrreth tnmpta ton"