The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1903-09-03
A SERMON FOR SUNDAY
AN ELOQUENT DISCOURSE ENTITLED
TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS"

nbHI9 AMI EMIT Htt0NSt
The Rev. George p. Eckman Diherentiates
Between Enticement to Evil ami temp :
tation In tho Sense Of Providential Trial
Taking Account Of Heredity.
New YORK CITY.-The Rev. George p.
Eckman, pastor of St. Pauts M. =. Church,
preached Sunday morning ON Trials and
Temptations" He took his text from
James i: II: blessed il the man that en-
dureth temptation; for when he is tried,
hs shall receive the crown of life, which
the Lord hath promised to them that love
Him" Mr.. Eckman said:
The beatitude chosen for our text stands
central to the discussion of temptation
which James pursues in this chapter. The
subject . considered Under two aspects.
The writer begins with temptation iii 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 a. an occasion
of good. The other is denounced as the
source OF injury. Before the one the au-
thor sounds trumpet Of gladness. Be
fore the other he waves signal of danger.
Toward the one we should assume an atti-
tude of friendliness. Toward the other we
must maintain bearing of hostility. 70
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 self-inficted. The sufferer has fallen
into them: They are unsought, unexpected
and unwclcome. They constitute what in
in the very midst Of the maelstrom of mis-
fortune the Christian is urged to rejoice
with exceeding great joy.
Jubilant in trouble-the thing is utterly
preposterous to the mind which knows
nothing higher than earthly philosophy
Shall the merchant sing cheerily while his
commercial structure Is crashing in ruins
while the fondest ambitions of his life are
being ruthlessly 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 q Christian
James would reply. Let him count it all
Joy when he falls into these dire straits
They arc deeply significant of good to him
however, difficult it may be to discover
their value. What madness this seems to
the worldling
A moments reflection will prove even to
the children of this world that joyousness
In affection which at the first appears to be
an unnatural and superhuman temper un.
der the circumstances, is actually easier
and more philosophic than mere resigna-
ton and fortitude. Is it not better for a
man In the midst of a rushing stream to
hn
stride up against the current than to turn
his back upon the food and try to stand
greet where he is? VIII he not be sure to
fsil to keep his feet In the latter instance
viii he not have immensely better chances
to stem the tide in the other fashion! Ii
Is much the same with trouble. He who
submits his back to the stroke OF adversely
ard strives to bear a calm countenance and
8 brave heart while his head is bowed with
srief, will succumb more easily TO the sor.
rows of life than he who has thankful
JOY IN his heart born of the knowledge that
TO Christian ell the miseries for which he
is not personally responsible are intended
for his advantage. With such fate the
sufferers face may shine, his heart may
leap and he may assert himself with won
drous aggressiveness. So he will stalk on
lows as they pile upon him, and shouting
Tor JOY in the very midstream Of affection.
There is something deeper in the philoso-
ply OF james, however, than the mere Of
fering OF wise method of confronting
trouble. He sees close relation between
trouble and triumphant life. Count it
all JOY when ye fall into divers tsmpta-
trying of your faith worksth patience.
But let patience have her perfect work,
that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting
nothing" There is the formula for produc.
ing strong and symmetrical character.
It reminds one of .Paul's statement, eve
glory. in tribulations also, knowing that
tribulation worketh patience, and patience
experience, and experience hope, and hope
maketh not ashamed" The person of
good character has no occasion for shame,
being perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
But such fitness of life can only be OBJ
tanned through ministry of trial.
We. can, at least, measure some of the
effects Of this kind of discipline. The try
ing of faith, the proving of ones conf
dence in the invisible but eternal adroinis-
tration of God is not the least of these re-
in the unseen it is impossible to construct
great character? Said distinguished
teacher, Great imagination may make a
great poet; great logical power a great
philosopher; great faculty of observation
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 invisi-
BILE. The cheap crowd call such persons
dreamers. But these 6reamers alone attain
eminence and power.
It was the faith of Columbus which
swung the Western Hemisphere out of OBJ
livion into light. It was the faith of Luth-
er that rent asunder the papal domination
and civil and religious liberty to Europe
apd the western nations. 1t was the faith
Of Lincoln that swept "the sum of all vii
lalnies from our borders and sent millions
OF ebon-faced men from chains to sover-
eighty" 1t is the faith of some valorous
soul that removes every mountain of diff
Guilty, Strengthens every crooked path and
solves every problem that balks the pro-
gress of truth. The list of faiths cham
pions lengthens with each decade. Bright
are the .glories of 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
less were made strong, waxed valiant in
fGht, turned to flight the armies of the
Aliens" By faith the greatest achieve
ments of the spiritual as well as of the ma
terial world are won.
Endurance is the test of character. Is
there any permanence in it's fiber? Mis-
fortune will answer the question. A great