The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-07-28

aud he suited his sermon 20 Ais audi
ence. ! am not sure that that sermon
would escape criticism In these days.
I am OF the opinion that many good
souls would say IL was not evanseli-
cal. He was invited 20 preach con-
cerning the faith in Christ, and his
sermon was on Righteousness, temper
ance and Judgment 10 come-iopics
that any good man Of any faith might
well discuss. Many might say. Is that
Christian preachingI ! say IL Is. and
mN7e than that. IL is the kind that this
age needs. and We need II every day.
II Paul had begun an argument -e-
specting Christs divinity. or resurrec-
ton. or any kindred topic, he would
probably have had n most interesting
discussion with Felix, but think you
that he would have made him trsmhlei
Most men think that Christianity Is
theology. No; Christianity is morality
in the light OF eternity. And mat is
not the best preaching which deli l-fts
Us with its close reasoning and high
speculation and profound theology;
that is the best preaching which makes
us, il We are living In sin. turn uneasily
in our seats and trembie as we listen
10 its truths. The law is our school
master 10 bring us 10 Christ, and IL is
only when conscience is aroused within
us that we seek the grace which is in
Christ and which came by Christ The
end Of preaching is not 10 make men
theologians. the end of preaching is 10
build mp character. and while some or
us may be far enough on the road 10
hear sermons on the deep things or
God, i am not pessimistic when i say
that. taking the world in its totality,
most OF US are still where we need To
be reasoned with concerning righteous
ness. temperance and Judgment 10
come.
Preaching 20 the times" is q favor
ite expression nowadays. Its purpose
seemsto be that men are 20 be amused,
as Felix had Paul in from the prison
10 amuse him. He and lie alone
breaches 10 the times who makes us
restless by showing us the demands OF
Gods eternal law and then points the
way clear UP 10 Calvary and 10 Him
who said Come unto Me all We that
labor and are heavy laden and | will
give you rest" These are eternal veri-
ties and they 6t all times All others
change and pass away with the chang
ing hour; social political, aye, even
| theological questions have their days
and cease 10 he, but the eternal need
is forgiveness and the everlasting
want. rest for the soul.
And So Paul reasoned OF righteous
ness 10 man living In sin, OF temper
ance to woman who lived 10 crafty
every desire and wicked passion. and
of Judgment TO come TO two who never
looked beyond the present wOrld-the
first steps, the first necessary steps 10
the pointing out OF Him in whom alone
is forgiveness and from whom alone
we have the power Ia live so that at
His coming in glorious majesty 10
Judge the world we may not be put 10
shame
And now, In the last place, we notice
that this preaching was convincing.
That is clear enough, for a man does
not tremble without occasion. A man
does not tremble in the presence or
spiritual truth except his intellect has
been reached and his conscience
touched Paul did his duty. but Felix
shirsed his and turned his back upon
the truth. He tremblcd, but he did
not move. Are there not many men
like him with us today "Go thy
way" said he. "wben | have q conve-
nient season / will send for thee" 1s
not that what we often hear But
when do those who say so find that
| that convenient season ever comes
What do we think of the man who In
| matters OF this world Is given to put
| ting off and waiting to another timep
Our worldly wisdom tells us that such
q man will never come to any good
and no one has any confidence In him.
You see through him and smile at all
his excuses for delay, and think you
that If man cannot deceive his fell
lows In this respect he can deceive God
and his own soulp The Bible knows OF
no time but now Now is the accepted
time" And this is true not only or
the greatest OF all transactiOns-our ac-
ceptance Of Jesus Christ-but OF all the
duties that devolve upon us as Chris
tian men and women nNc may have
! to-day an opportunity of doing good, or
Of receiving good II we let IL slip that
door that opened 10 us viii Il shut,
and IL will never be opened again. Lost
opportunities do not return. Others
may come. but the lost ones come not
again. Let rs, then, seize every oppor-
| tunity, let us realize that the present
| only is ours, and 10 we hear the word
OF life let us embrace IL in It's fuluess
| and live in its strength.