Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-03-12
The Times-Dispatch Sunday
Sermon
1.-THE Attributes OF Law"
fby j. a. E:ubnnh.

I by j. 4. Eubnnk.
| The wciGhticr matters of IN. lnv Judgment
mercy and flith.--Matthcw xiii. 20
| Here we have from tho lips of the Great
| Teacher himself Il declaration in which the
| supreme features OF the law summed up
I and mans duty with respect thereto plainly
pointed out To him. The statement comes in
the nature of rebuke to the hypocrtical
SCribes and Pbarisccs. who continually logged
! His footsteps and by crafty framed uucs-
| tons sought TO cntrap Him in tho law but.
while the language was addressed directly
to thc former. il was meant, in most OF
Jesus uttcranccS. to be OF far-rcachinE ap-
plicaton. since in mans relations with his
fellow man II lays down rule by which all
must be governed IL the divine purpose is
finally to triumph
Judgment is mentioned first. as in the very
nature 90 things must at least make II
mental estimate of those OF his fellow be
ingS who come under his observation. or with
whom he may have dealings directly in
d!rccty-hc Is compelled by force OF crcum-
stances. it were. to take some manner OF
measure Of the capacity and OF the DISPOSE
tion Of tn" people by whom he is surrounded.
Hence the necessity for right Judgment:
nmon; the wciShtier matters OF the law it.
according 20 Jesus. comes first. The spirit
90 the utterau"e finds ilttinr; expression in
barids promise. Il will sing OF mercy and
Judgment II is in the harsh and cruel iudg-
mcnt az men that much OF the MISUNDERSTANDING
ms and suffering that mankind cudurcs finds
its origin.
Mercy. After judgment whether with the
authority to innict 4 penalty or mercy in
taking the measure OF tho Individual so to
speak comes the opportunity for the
ciso OF that attribute which hits man up
closest to divinity. Bobbic Burns understood
when he wrote:
TR"p gently scan your brother man.
To step aside is human
1t is mercy and no, sacrifice that the Lord
wants: hence the promise: Blessed are III.
mcrciful: for they shall obtain mercy" But
of all the sermons which have ever been de
livorcd the subject OF mercy aside iron,
tho simple pointed uttcranccs Of the Master.
nothing has ever been said or written which
carried moro weight with it than the appeal
of rortia to the before whom Shyiocl
was demanding tho enforcement OF his con-
tract rights:
1ThG, qualify Of mercy Is not, Strand;
r%n H. Tlace h"naar ' IS ,w iiS" n E%%Ef
Tx nm in 6h25 aes hin 5gs5
tn ,hr@msd monars better than his crown:
W., doth sit the dread and fear OF kings;
T. Is em en- in me hearts Of Kings
And carthly power doth then show Iikest
When mercy seasons Justice Therefore. Jew.
.rho, i',stice he ny plea. consider this
ihht IN the course OF juStic" none Of us
Shnuld So" salvation. We do pray for mercy.
And that same prayer doth teach us all to
render
The deeds Of mercy.
Faith. All yes. we must have fai,h-taith
in man as well rs faith in God Faith In the
individuals desire to do right when the kind
~ hand OF assistance is extended him In the
proper spirit and faith In the purpose and
power of God TO make all thing: work to-
gcthcr for good to huna nifty and TO the nnal
v.ndiCation OF His righteous laws
Let us then with Milton sing:
O. welcome purc-cy'd Faith, white handed
Hope.
Thou lowering angel. girt with golden wings,