Evening journal., 1905-12-11
THREE WORDSTHE
KEYTORECOVERY
Remember, Repent and
Do Says the Rev. F. NJ.
KiTkuS in Sermon
INDIFFERENCE THE FAILING

AZ Trinity p. E. Church, Delaware
avenue and ADAMS street, last night
the Rev r. NJ. kirkus preached an in-
spring sermon 90 men 10 q congrega-
lion which filled the house The roc
tor took as his text the passage of
Scripture found IN the first nve verses
NJ the second chapter of Revelation,
and spoke in part as follows,
''rhe Saviour's message 10 the church
at lcphesus. given, by revelations TO 81
John the Divine, some ten years after
ST. Paul (the founder of that church,
had left Ephesus. The church is re-
proved because something Of their
early zeal has deserted them.
When first they had received the
hdings OF salvation it had seemed as
though the thankful love which filled
their hearts could never flag. But this
nrst warmth Of gratitude had cooled;
the early devotion OF their hearts had
been succeeded by a less ardent mood
which betrayed a waning interest, q
diminished appreciation OF that SUBJ
lime love which had been showered
upon them. and in response 60 which
their own had been engendered
II am inclined to think that there is
no commoner experience in the reli
Eious life than this for which the
church In Ephesus suffered reproof To
church and individuals alike it is but
too familiar Many OF u.s. surely, can
remember that enthusiasm which
marked our early apprehension of reli-
gious privileges-that indescribablc I'M
fuence which deepened our compunc-
ton for sin, increased our desire for
holiness. stimulated us 10 good works,
and shed a new light upon the many
blessings which are daily showered
upon us. and so filled our souls with
thanNulness to God
THAT experience, whether u came
upon us suddenly or grew upon us
IN the natural course of our spiritual
development constituted our conver-
sion
How long ago that time must seem
to most Of us-that time when the glow
Of love first thrilled our very souls and
made as feel that henceforth God and
His will would be the only object OF
our desires There followed, doubt
less. a period Of comparative indiner-
ence. Temptations still had much of
the old power for us obstacles and
discouragements were constantly enc
countered. perhaps even we questioned
our own sincerity and began 20 doubt
the gonuineness Of our love and faith
"All this is easily accounted for To
this ago of refinement, luxury and ease
the iron of the Christian spirit is apt
TO be sofiened the soul 20 be robbed of
its manlier part--so that God is not
loved with energy and strength az for
merly.
"The church OF Ephesus was not re-
huked FOR what we can grave faults.
They adhered firmly 20 the truth
ahoundod in good works-were patient
Boz The face of persecution. Yet they
were in great danger because their love
had lost its fcrvor and its strength.
And when We consider how constantly
Holy Scripture emphasizes the fact
that the Christian religion is Love. that
without love an other graces are worth
loss we can understand how grave
condition they were IN.
And what about ourselves?
Not long ago an old gentleman ex-
pressed 10 me the opinion that the
decline Of religion among men in the
present generation was that the church
no longer appeals TO the emotions-that
there is lacking that warmth OF devo-
ton which used TO mark her services
that the preachers have put head" be-
fore "heart'-intoIlect before conscience
that the hearers have put doing be-
fore beiug-Works before faith II
such O charge Is true we are in serious
case indeed. IL means that we have
lost our first lovei
And we know. by merely reviewing
the stages Of religious decay IN any in
dividual, that there is much truth in
the charge. step by step has come
the change from enthusiasm To indif-
ference. until religious warmth has
given place 10 coldness. and the vision
Of God which once filled the heart with
thankfulness and love has been be-
ciouded and obscured. and God no long
er holds the first place in the affections.
None Of us Is wholly free from the
temptations which involve this awful
danger. II is the inevitable Judgment
which results from the neglect or abuse
of religious privileges and obligations
And SO the Divine Warning to Ephesus
applies to an Of US. (Rev H. 3D.
Three words 20 mark the three steps
by which our lost ground may be re-
gained Remember, repent and do.
First recall the days when your love
was fresh and pure when God was
first In your affections. and when His
service was genuine delight But
mere recollection viii not do: there
must be repentance as we'll. Genuine
sorrow for our failures and neglects.
and a renewal of those works which
were The outcome Of our love"