The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-29
PRESBYTERIAN SERVICES.
Earnest Sermon Preached by Dr. J.
 


 Despite the inclemency of the wealth CT there was a fair sized congregation at the First Presbyterian Church last night to hear Dr. J. s. Lyons of Louis- vile, Ky, who preached from text found In the tenth chapter of Mark. verses 17-22, a sermon remarkable for force and originality.
 Dr. Lyons took for his subject the narrative of the young man who When he had gone forth came running, and kneeled to Him, and asked Him, Good Master, what shall do that I may in- herit eternal life? And Jesus, beholding him. loved him. and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: so thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor. and thou shalt have treasures In Heaven; and come take up thy cross and follow Me-
 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved, for he had great possessions.
 Dr. Lyons compared the narrative of his lesson to a. beautifully cut diamond -one having many sides. and each side a profitable theme.
 He said there was no character in the Bible more clear, attractive, gentle and sympathetic or more serious in his pur- pose of seeking Christ than was this young man. He so impressed Jesus with the sincerity and honesty of his question that Jesus beholding him. loved him." He was sincere, but in that instance sincerity did not avail. His was a moral life, inasmuch as he could answer honestly "all these have I observed from my youth up" yet his morality counted him for nothing-did not suffice with Jesus.
 He did not go to the Master to be entertained" said Dr. Lyons, The want ed eternal life--and he asked honestly, seriously, what shall do that 1 may inherit 1t?
 He was told that he could do noth- ing. It was not a question of do, for all that was necessary had already been done, and 1t was only for him to divest his mind of doing and accept what had been done already.
 People wanted to build on their own elf-righteousness." said Dr. Lyons, "and therein Is the fault, for the Chris tian life Is Christ plus you, and not you plus Christ"
 The young man of the text started with himself as the center, as the basis on which to add what was needed more -or what lack I yet?'
 In Christ's answer He did not appear to touch the man at all, but rather to miss him and his case entirely
 'TIe talked to him, seemingly of oth- CT things" said Dr. Lyons He brushed aside the question of the lips and went down into the heart and answered the question there."
 why callest thou Me good? There Is no good but one, that Is God" Jesus wanted to know the spirit in which the question was asked. If 1t was in req lization of the goodness of God and the sin of self? If it was in the spirit of Jesus my Lord and my God and God be merciful to me a sinnerY
 Jesus realized said Dr. Lyons, that the case before him was not one for medicine, but one for heroic meas ures. one for surgery. and with infinite skill. He cut right down to the quiv- ering center of the mans life. :"
 Jesus said: "One thing thou lack est-go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasures in Heaven; and come, take up the cross and follow Me"
 His answer was one of the most skillful pieces of surgery that the world has ever known said Dr. Ly- ons, "and the young man went away grieved for he had much possession- he was grieved, yes, but hc went away In this connection Dr. Lyons brought out the great truth taught in the les son fro mthe standpoint in which he viewed 1t, and that was that the pos session of wealth is not necessarily evil. is not the trouble against which enc must guard, but 1t Is the danger that lies in the creeping, conquering and controlling love of money. This conclusion was an appeal to let not the things of the world stand between God and the souls salvation; let not the things of this life cost the eternal life" for in the language of Paul, "What profteth a man if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul"
 Ths services will continue through the week, and until April I. Services at ii o'clock in the morning and at o'clock at night.