Evening journal., 1908-08-17
WARNS AGAINST
SELF DESTRUCTION
Pastor Wolfe Says There Is
No Pardon For Sane Self
Murderer


"A Suicide Arrested" was tho sub
ject Of the Rev. George A. Wolfe's SER
mon in First M. p. Church last even-
ing. Mr. Wolfe took as his text the
words DO Thyself No Harm" from
Acts 16: 2S. He said:
The man here referred to was a
sheriff, and according to Roman law,
"a bailiff himself must suffer the pun
ishment due an escaped prisoner.
Whatever the sentence might be.
the sheriff must suffer the same PEN
atty, should the prisoner escape, wheth-
er it be a term Of years in solitary
confinement, or death by capital pun
ishment. In those days a sheriff held
a most unenviable position
Paul and Silas, two clergymen, were
incarcerated in the jail at Phillip for
preaching the gospel. and as this was
a most serious offence the govern
ment gave them into the especial care
of the sheriff for safe keeping, and TO
make them secure from escape the
sheriff made their feet fast in stocks
a torture prevalent in those days.
These two good men held a mid
night prayer meeting in their dungeon
and by miraculous power they are freed
Of their bonds, the prison doors were
opened, and they might have had their
liberty, but they were not afraid and
consequently did not flee. The sheriff
waking out OF a sound sleep. sees his
awful predicament, and rather thar
suffer, what might have been deatl
penalty. draws forth a glittering dag
ger and was about to thrust IL into hi
heart when one of the ministers ar.
rested him by crying out in the Ian.
guage Of the text: do Thyself M
Harm"
"A most opportune item has com,
for the pulpit TO declare itself against
this prolific evil.
Scarcely do we see a newspaper
without reading OF the death of some
one by self destruction. Why men and
women quit life precipitately; has beer
and always win be a mystery. In olden
times, when Christianity had not in
terfered with 1t, suicide was consid-
cred honorable and a sign Of courage
In these times, opinions have very
much changed that condition of affairs
'Isocrates killed himself than sur
render to Philip of Macedon. Cato re-
fusing to submit to Julius Caeser takes
his own life after several desperate
attempts to do so.
"Lycurgus a suicide, Brutus a suicide
Napoleon. once tried it. but was re-
suscitated after drinking poison. De-
falcations. bankruptcies, frustrated af-
fection, domestic infelicity. dyspeptlC
suffering, anger, remorse. and destitu-
tion, are the primary causes Of self
slaughter.
THAT a worse doom awaits the sui
eide must be impressed upon the minds
of all men and classes lest any should
under pressure contemplate such a step
Suicide is a crime of the worst kind
and is the most heinous Of all sins
Where can this sin be forgiven? Here
Never. Hereafter? Impossible. NJ
time for confession hereafter, conse-
quently. there is no pardon for the
self-murdere.
In some instances. men have com.
mitted suicide when they were men.
tally irresponsible. and some o
these. were as good as the world evel
knew. For these we make all due al.
lowance and believe God will not holC
an irresponsible person accountable. Or
the other hand, however. / wish I,
assure you, that, II one has his reasor
and then takes his life, then end o.
that man is perdition.
Revelation 21;S. Murderers shall
have their part in the lake that burn
eth with fire and brimstone.'
This is a positive declaration Of tn,
word of God.
Thou shalt not KILL applies al
much 10 our own life as IL does I,
the lives of others. God gave us
sacred trust in the keeping Of oui
bodies and If we murder ourselves W,
are as guilty as the one who has killeC
another. Our laws mete out justice t.
the murderer. and some law ought t
be enacted TO protect those who at
tempt suicide.
king Saul consulted the witch o.
Endor and slew himself upon his owl
sword.
Judas Iscariot, because Of bitter re-
morse, goes out and murders himself
and thousands have unfortunately don'
the same thing.
Consult no witches; do nothing tina
brings remorse; do your duty bravely
make the most of life. and wait, wal
upon the Lord your God. Make tn
most of life; but guard sacredly tina
God given treasure your body and b.
ready when the summons comes"