The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-04-01
SKEPTlClSM WAS DISCUSSED
The Difference Between Honest and
Dishonest Skeptieism Discussed and
Interesting Illustrations Made Which
Were Very Convincing.

again last evening to listen 10 an elo
Quent sermon by Rev. Ralph Gillian
Several selections were sung by tn,
choir and audience, Mrs. Watkins sans
solo, Drifting Away" ana Rev. Gil.
liam announced his text from Luke
xix: 10: For the son OF man came tC
seek and to save that which was lost.
Mr.. Gillian said, In part:
do not speak 10 you as a preacher
nor as an evangelist, but as a man
talking to man, friend talking to
friends. II there was ever u man who
dealt leniently with skepticism, II was
the Man who | represent, Jesus Christ.
in room were gathered together GER
tain disciples, all except Thomas, when
Jesus appeared In their midst. Some
one may have told Thomas that they
had seen the Savior. but he refused TO
believe II until he could feel His hands
and thust his hand into his side. Eight
days after another meeting was held
and Thomas was there. Jesus went up
to him and said: "oh. Thomas, be not
failthless, but believe" and Thomas
confessed Him as Lord and Master.
We are living In an age when men
will not be honest. Some men say |
do not believe in a hell that damns
mems souls. challenge any man or
woman to find one single word within
the cover of the Bible In the Sc books
where God ever said that hell was
made to damn mems souls. II men go
to hell. they 80 there because they pre-
fer hell and the company that asso-
ciates there | believe as most men
believe. that Jesus Christ had all ths
power in heaven and earth Mt His dis
posal, but He can't save a man against
his own will. A mans will must be
surrendered to God before he can be
saved. No man has ever surrendered
his will to God that did not go out into
the world leading a Christian life.
A young man said to Jesus. what
shall do to inherit eternal life? Jesus |
said, keep my commandments" The |
young man said: This have done"
Then Jesus said to him. go and sell
all that thou hast and give unto the |
poor" The young man went away. |
but no one ever heard OF his coming
back. The first class Of skeptics are
hose that are dishonest. II they are
dishonest about his so-called religious
'iews, he cannot be trusted along any
inc. I would be willing to sit beside
my man for hours II believed could
cad him out Of his belief In skeptIcism
md he was honest in his belief.
lave no use for any man In this world
hat covers up some sin with the cloak
# skeptcism. But all skeptics are no.
dishonest. The man that Is seeking
he truth with the object of putting 1t
nto practice in his life, is honest. I
10 not believe that there is a man that
walks the streets Of this city who will
END his will to God, but will be cured
+ skepticism.
No one ever heard me say one un-
ind word against morality, but I do
ot believe morality Is a ticket to
eaven, There are two classes Of
loral men the same as there are two
lasses Of skeptics. have no use for
man who is always telling others
hat a moral man he is ] once asked
man II he was Christian. anC he
Did me grufTiy. none Of your business {
rom a conversation with him he told
le what a good man he was, one Of
le best in that town, and from what
told me I thought he was the best
ian 7 ever met and he impressed upon
e that he always paid his debts.
liked with another man who knew {
I'm and he told me that he owed every
an in the community.
jesus Christ, with all the power In
aaven and upon earth cannot save a !
an who thinks he Is good enough.
,sus Christ was tempted while upon
nth as no man was ever tempted, 1
I'd he Is able to sympathize with us
every avOcation in life saying: let :
. come in" I can imagine when .
e shepherd went out to count his .
Ieep and found one that was lost, 9
I'd some one said, are there not !,
lough for thee. No there was one .
at was not within the fold and he r
'es out to save the one that was lost. Il
nd lifting It In his arms and putting = =
over his shoulder he carried 1t back ),
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