The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-01-16
WAS THEME OF REV. MORTON
cREcoRYs SERMON At
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
Learned Minister Spoke to Large Con-
sresation at the House OF
Worship Sunday.

the First Christian church, spoke to
a large congregation. His address was
an able appeal to the members OF his
church to heed what they hear. In
part ne said:
I'm preparing for the ministry the
student is impressed with the thought
that he is to take heed what he
breaches. He will receive that warn
ing from each professor, and find 1t in
every book he studies. And it is well
that such a warning should be given.
Not in this day alone, but in all days
the world has been, and is full of false
prophets-men who are either de-
ceived, or deceivers. Hundreds and
thousands are led away by teaching
that will not bear investigation.
and in this timely moment, let me
drop a word of warning. One of the
greatest hindrances in the way of ar
irving at religious truth, is the abuse
of the ministerial Office. Inc idea
seems to be abroad that, because one
wears a certain cut of coat, has made
a certain amount of preparation and
profession. mas signed a certain creed,
his teachings are of necessity true and
infallible. The impression is, prob
ably, fostered by the mystical theory
that one is called in some special
miraculous way to preach a gospel
that only he and his favored associates
can understand Ladies and gentle
men, I am here to maintain, and am
able to take good care of the affirma-
ton, that all such efforts at priest
craft are without foundation in Gods
word. There are SO many efforts at
mystification that one becomes almost
Disguised with preaching in general
Instead of trying to preach Gods word,
and from it's teachings draw our teach
ings, it is too frequently the case, that
a creed is made, and everything in
the book bent and tortured to fit that
theory.
THE Bible is true or false If false
there is no Christianity-there is no
Christ. If true, there is one Christ
and one Christianity; in it is salvation.
If we believe it let us preach it, let
us live it. You have just as much
right to preach it as I or any other
man who understands it. And there is
no mystery about your authority.
Your authority is straight from the
lips of Christ Himself: Go We unto all
the world and preach the Gospel
But my especial desire is to call to
your attention that Christ laid especial
emphasis on ones duty to take heed
what We hear If you have already
caught the meaning of hear you see
at once that the responsibility or belief
is individualized. BY hear more is
meant than simply to let series OF
sounds roll against the ear drum. 1t is
intended that you shall give such at
tention as shall bring about a COM
prehension of the content of the
thought represented. To hear means
to understand. There are four practi-
cal thoughts that force themselves
into our presence just here.
"First-Hear for yourself. Apply ii
personally. Too many of us apply
what we hear to others. One of the
greatest bars to the hearing Of truth
is prejudice More people hoodwink
themselves, than are hoodwinked by
others One who hears to advantage
must hear with such discrimination as
will leave a sediment of truth in the
mind. Much Of the preaching of the
day is such that one must be able to
determine the true from the false.
The difficulty is not with the Bread of
Life, it is the same today as it ever has
preachers in serving it to the people
put on entirely too much butter Of
their own brand, thus one has to eat
much unsavory butter to get a little
bread.
''Second-Hear to retain. Some
things go. and ought to go, in one ear
and out of the other. But truth must
not be thus lightly dealt with. 1t is
easy to form good resolutions under
heart-searching sermons. But more
difficult to carry them out, when the
influences Of the hour are forgotten.
Hear to retain, hear to remember.
''Third-Let your hearing be practi-
cable, having in it the purpose to obey.
What does it amount to if one shall
run after a sermon. and then spend
the week lying and cheating and bias
pheming the name Of Our God.
Christianity is not an entertainment
for the Lords day. 1t is life to live.
"Fsurth-Hear carefully, as for eter-