The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-02-19
A SERMON FOR SUNDAY
AN ELOQUENT DISCOURSE ENTITLED
TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS"

The Rev. George p. EcISmnn DifferentIates
| Between Entieement TO Evil and Temp
tation i'll the Sense of ProvidentiaI Trial
| Taking Account of Heredity.
NEW YORK CITY.--The Rev. George f..
Eckman, pastor of st. PauPs NJ. L. Church,
| preached Sunday morning on Trials and
James i: To- Blessed il the man that en-
dureth temptation; for when he is tried,
he 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 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 trumpet of gladness, Be-
fore the other he waves signal of danger.
Toward the one we should assume an atti-
tuda OF friendliness. Toward the other we
must maintain bearing of hostility To
the test ct both phases ct temptation we
are bound to be subjected. From .he 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 seif-inhicted. The sufferer has fallen
tn 'hpU trbf oEnJ
and unwelcome. They constitute what in
worldly par.ance are called calamities. Yet
in the very midst Of the maelstrom of mis-
fortune the Christian is urged to rejoice
with exceeding great JOY;
Jubi.ant in troub!e-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
about him? Shall the youth smile serenely
while the fondest ambitions of his life are
being ruthless!y defeated? Shall the just
man be eXutant while society condemns
him for his piety and goddess men hate him
for his virtue? Yes, if he is a Christian.
James would reply. Let him count it all
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 world that joyousness
in affection which at the first appears to be
an unnatural and superhuman temper I'M
der the circumstances, is actually easier
and more philosophic than mere resigna-
ton and fortitude. Is it not better for
man in the midst of a rushing stream to
race the torrent, breast the waves and
stride up against the current than to turn
his back upon the food and try to stand
erect where he is? Will he not be sure to
fail to keep his feet in the latter instance?
Will he not have immensely better chances
to stem the tide in the other fashion? 1t
is much the same with trouble He who
submits his back to the stroke of adversely
and strives to bear a calm countenance and
a brave heart while his head is bowed with
grief, will succumb more easily to the sor-
rows of life than he who has a thankful
Joy in his heart born of the knowledge that |
to Christian all 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 aggressveness. So he will stalk on
against the current, throwing off the bill |
lows as they pile upon him, and shouting
for JOY in the very mid-stream of affection. |
ply OF James, however, than the mere Of |
fering of a wise method of confronting
trouble. He sees a close relation between |
trouble and triumphant life. Count it |
all joy when We fall into divers tempta-
lions (or .troubles) knowing this, that the
irving of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work,
that We may be perfect and entire, wanting
nothing" There is the formula for produc-
ing a strong and symmetrical character.
1t reminds one of Pauls statement, 1--WE
glory. in fluctuations 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 fulness 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 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 a great
great faculty of observation
a great scientist, bct nothing makes a
great man but great faith" 1t is oriy
small people who insist on walking by
sight The great souls dwell in the invsi-
bic. The cheap crowd call such persons
1reamers. But these dreamers alone attaiA
and power.
It was the faith Of Columbus which
swung the Western Hemisphere out of OBJ
Iivion into light. It was the faith of Luth.
er that rent asunder the papal domination
and civil and religious liberty to Europe
and the western nations. 1t was the faith
VI Lincoln that swept "the sum of all vii
ainies 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
,ulty, straightens every crooked path and
solves every problem that ball,s the pro-
sress of truth. The list Of faiths cham