The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-11-30
SERMON BY REV.
W. 7. USSERY


Paul gives Timothy particular direc
lions respecting the duties of mis-
pastoral Office, and solemnly charges
him before God and the elect angels
to observe these directions.
One of the most important of his
official duties consisted in ordaining
other men to the work of the ministry
by prayer and the imposition of hands
AS it was of the greatest impor-
lance that none should be introduced
into the ministry who were not suit
ably qualified, the apostle particularly
enjoined it upon him to use great
care and circumspection in examining
and setting apart persons for this
sacred Office; and earnestly intimated
that should he neglect it, he would
participate in the guilt of every I'M
worthy character on whom he should
carelessly lay hands. He says:
Lay hands suddenly on no man,
neither be partaker of other mems
sins"
Though this caution was originally
addressed to an individual with refer
ence to the duties of a particular Of
fee, yet it is of universal application
In the existing state of society, we
are connected with our fellow crea-
lures so intimately, and by such num-
erous ties, that there are many ways
in which we may become accomplices,
or at least be partakers in their sins.
Indeed, without great care and watch
fulness, it is impossible to avoid it.
Thus the sins of an individual be-
come the sins of many. A large pro-
portion of every mans guilt is con-
tracted by sharing in the guilt of
others.
We will mention some instances IL
Illustrating this principally.
We will begin with ministers. Even
preachers themselves, may make
themselves partakers in the sins of
their people. when those sins are &C.
casioned by their own negligence, by
bad example, or by unfaithfulness in
the discharge Of their oficial duties.
Like priest, like people" A great
many regard preachers as paragons
of perfection, forgetting that "All that
glitters is not gold" At least, preach
ers are too perfunctory, and the great
est present need of Christianity is a
profound ministerial piety, and deep
er spirituality. Well enough for some
preachers to say, do as ! say, and
not as l do"
Parents also, may participate in the
sins of their children. when they oc-
casion, and when they might have
prevented them. II a parent be In
temperaet or profane, or indolent, his
children-unless a gracious provi-
dence prevent-will probably initiate
him. Parents should be strictly NOR
al. But here let us raise a higher
standard than this. 1t is not SUMO
lent merely to be moral, but religious.
Parental morality has been the bane
of a numerous offspring. We cannot
be model without morality; yet, II
we stop here we have neglected "the
one thing needful." A simple, ire
ligious life-characterized by indiffer-
ence, neglect, importance, and unbe-
lief-is as plainly condemned, and will
be as surely punished as life OF In
temperance, profanity and murder.
HE that believest not, shall be
damned"
An excellent motto for parents Is,
"Be what your child should be-"
II a parent who merely neglects his.
temporal household lis worse than an
infidel," how much worse is he who
disregards the spiritual interest of his
family?
The story of Eli in first Samuel. well
illustrates. His sons made themselves
vile, and he restrained them not, and |
his negligence made him not only parta- |
ker in their guilt and punishment,but en-
tailed the judgments of God on his de-
scendants to the last generation. Let
parents begin child training early in
life and keep Il up. DR.. Holmes being
asked as to when child should re-
ceive its first training, replied, Fifty
years before it is born" |. e., with its
This should lead us to
solemn thoughts on the doctrine of
'heredity."
It is not uncommon for churches to /
become partakers of the sins Of an
individual member, when these sins
are occasioned by a general neglect of
brotherly watchfulness and reproof,
and when they are tolerated by the
church in consequence of neglect OF
church discipline. In this case the
sins of an individual become the sins
Of the whole church. This is illus
trated In Christ's address to the sew
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