Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1909-08-21
PEOPLES
Sermon by
CHARLES T.
RUSSELL.
Pastor BROOKLYN
Tabernacle.

Saudusky, o., Aug. 10.-"Man Is
tempted when he Is drawn away of
his own desires and entlced Then.
when desire has conceived, It brngeth
forth sin; and sin. when II is finished,
bringeth forth death" (James 1, IL. 15l.
In proportion to our intelligence we
all know that sin abounds in the world;
and more than this, that there are tend
encies toward sin in our own flesh.
The Scrlptural declaration Is. IL was
born in sin and shapen In lnlquity, and
in sin did my mother conceive me"
psalm II, 81. The explanation OF these
conditions is found only In the Bible,
which tells us that the beginning of
sin was In Eden. and that Its painful
influence has descended from parent
to child until now. and that there was
but one complete remedy for It, which
Is beyond our power. but provided for
US by our Creator through his glorious
Son, who redeemed us.
Doctrines Of Devils.
The Bible is Gods message TO all
those who are deslrous of learning the
Divine standard aud choosing and light.
ing n good light against the wrong.
against sin wherever found. but es.
pecially against sin and weakness to-
ward sin In ourselves The more truly
we discern the true philosophers for
sin aud the Divine remedy. the better
we are prepared 10 resist lt-fore.
warned we are fOreurmed.
However It may be explained. the
fact remains that the world OF man.
Kind, heather aud civilized, realizing
sin, feels conscieuee-slricken and an
ticlputes punishment OF some kind Tor
violation OF recognized laws and prln-
ciples Of our belug. Ignorance. super
stitiOu. mental uubalunce and theory.
supported Icy prleslcruft, have led
munklnd. heahen and civilized. into
u fear of an eternity OF torture as
punishment for sins. This the Apos.
tie calls, doctrines Of demons" Il
Timothy iv. u. Aud no doubt the
demons We're responsible In some
measure for the deduction OF this doc
trlnc OF eternal torment; because fear
Is one OF the most powerful influences
they can bring TO bear upon fallen
humanity as they seek 10 captiyate
them TO sin. Those who have had
much to do with Splrltlsm blinking
that they were communicating with
their dead friends. but really fellow
shiplng with fallen angels. called
demons IN the Scriptures. tell us that
lt the beginning these lying spirits"
gained control OF their willis by telling
them that they should pray much.
even while presenting 10 them al
turing. sinful suggestions Il Timothy
iv, H. As later step they tell them
that everything Is glorious aud every
body happy "in the spirit land aud
that sins of the present life are unim-
portant matters. Later on they prick
their subjects conscience and work
upon their fears aud tell them that their
case Is hopeless and that they will
soon have them fully IN their power
and torment them forever. With de-
spalr come utter abandonment aud
willingness TO treat with the 'eyil
spirits" This Is sometimes followed
by obsession aud not infrequently rea-
son is entirely dethroned aud the vic
tim becomes an inmate OF an asylum.
The safeguard against all Of these
deluslons aud Misrepresentation Is
found IN currrr understanding OF
Gods Word-;' la proportion
as its teaChlu understood and
followed the mind ~ relieved of those
doctrines OF demons and given a
rational understanding ~ what sin is
and OF what It's real penalty consists.
Obedience 10 It's instructions brings
propOriionate measures of harmony
with God aud righteousness and re-
suits in love. joy, peace and holy
spirit or disposition.
"Ths Wages Of Sin Is Death"
Many experience great difficulty in
Kidding their minds OF the doctrines
Of demons that the wages OF sin Is
eternal torment. They 1nd II difficult
to believe the Truth ON the subject,
which the Scriptures present. namely.
that THE wages OF sin is death: but
the gift of God is eternal life, through
Jesus Christ our Lord" (ROmans vi.
23l. Gods proposition is that all
sinners against his just laws, after
full opportunity, shall be utterly de-
stroyed" Crhessalonians 1. 0; Acts
iii. 23l. The power Of eternal life re-
sides in God. aud he assures US that
he will not give IL 10 any except those |
who come into harmony with him.
S,ernal life has not been thrust upon
our race. IL is entirely contrary 10
the Scriptures to assert that man must |
live somewhere to all eternity. either |
In joy or anguish. The Scriptures as
sure US 10 the contrary OF this-"Ali |
the wicked will he destroy"