The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-01

be some for whom the name OF God mas
no depth OF meaning-it is empty OF sig-
nhcance, thing to be used, mayhaps,
to strengthen an oath, or at best TO be
cried out In frenzied appeal when anguish
grips the soul and the spirit sinks oup-
bling into the sea OF agony. And there
arc those to whom in their pride their
conduct is a thing for self-satsfaction,
who, in arrogance of spirit. wrap them
selves In their goodness as garment
and trail their Righteousness as robe,
and complaccntly hold themselves as SUI
perior to the common throng. And there
arc those whose conduct would CLEAN as
a dazzling gem but that 1t is yelled In
modesty and unobtrusivcly Withdrawn
into the chambers OF silence-those whose
gifts are given with grace and willing
readiness, whose charity Is spontaneous
and free, whose service Is unselfsh and
robe and yet who look not upon them
selves with complacent self-gratulation,
nor regard their path as lying on the
heights of superior purity.
PENITENCE AND PRAYER.
There are all these here tonight, and
to all OF them there is the same mes
sage. We have all OF us the need Of
penitence and prayer. We must all OF us
bow our heads and bend our knees and
with contrite heart seek pardon from tho
all-pardoning Father. And will He hear
US? Aye, surely, for '"the hand OF tho
Most Holy, blessed be lie, is wide opened
tc receive tho penitent." There Is no OBJ
stacle in the path OF your return save
In your own heart, for "the All-Merclful
demands the heart" Your heart must be
freely, wholly, completely given unto
Him, in humility and In prayer. There
can be no equivocntion, no reservation.
no withholding. with all my heart I
have sought Thee" said the Psalmist d19-
10). and thus must we do. There can be
nc trifling in the presence OF the Omnis-
Client. no cajolng OF ones conscience that
there Is a little. petty sin hidden away
in an obscure corner-a sin which do
not intend to renounce. There can be no
pride Of piety to say: II have fulfilled the
letter OF the law; / am not guilty OF
SIM" There can be no suppression Of the
intent and desire TO lead better life, to
pursue course Of action strictly honor
able and upright. to be kind and~loving
and generous. to be temperate and chaste
and God-fearlng. There can be none OF
these things.
confession IS utterly In vain. There must
be humility. The proud cannot be peni-
tent. There must be sincerity in the
prayer and purpose Of amendment.
when you. pray. know before whom
you are praying" taught the fathers.
Ii your lips pray for pardon. but not
your heart. think you you will be heard7
You hope to have Him hear your words,
yet have you hearkened unto Him? He
speaks to you through the mouth OF proph-
cts and sases. He speaks to you through
teacher and parent. He speaks to you
through the perpetual revelation in the
history of man; through the glorious
harmony of the worlds; through the ma
jesty. the beauty. the inerrant order Of
- - IN oalr -
you in the still, small. yet unacceptable,
voice Of conscience-and do you harken
unto Him?
And yet He will hear you. Nigh is He
unto all who call upon Him; who call
upon Him in truth" psalm 145). Re
member you are praying to the All-Know-
ing. to whom all mysteries OF the uni
clear as the monday sun; who probes
the arcana of the heart and searches
the most inward parts.
Before Him there can be no deception,
and In His sight no falsehood remain.
His fatherly arms are open, and His
ready compassion will overflow. So on
this day let US give Him unreservedly
and wholly our heart. our soul. our I'M
restricted and undwarfed penitence. Let
us deal honestly and sincerely with our
selves. Have you done all that you
could for truth and righteousness? Have
you sought always to give your fellow
man his full and Just due. even at cost
to yourself?
FORGIVE AND BE FORGIVEN.
And have you been just and generous
In your judgment OF your felowman, OF
your friends and neighbors? Do you
not know of some wrong you have done to
brother? Some base. some unkind
ord you have said to or about him?
Are you ready now to seek his forgive
ness? The fathers taught no man can
give penitence to God until he has done
penance to the man he has wronged.
And are you ready to forgive the one
who has wronged you. even though he
may not humble himself before your
pride? He who refuses forgiveness
breaks down q bridge over which he