unforgiven sin. This, however, they neither do nor propose to do. They are like Darius Green's flying machine which would do anything but fly. In all religions and philosophies of the world there never has been a suggestion of any reasonable mode of deliverance from past sin. This is the distinctive glory of the gospel of Christ. It announces that justice has been satisfied by the ransom of the Cross and that by an appropriating faith we are justified and restored to the favor of God.

"Now I saw in my dream," says Bunyan, "that the pilgrims drew nigh to a miry slough that was in the midst of the plain; and they being heedless did both fall suddenly into the bog. The name of the slough was Despond. Here, therefore, they wallowed for a time, being grievously bedaubed with the dirt; and Christian, because of the burden that was on his back, began to sink in the mire." He struggled, but he could not get out because of his burden. "But I beheld in my dream that a man came to him, whose name was Help; and gave him his hand, and drew him out, and set him on sound ground and bade him go on his way."

This man whose name was Help is he of whom it was written, "Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for it is he that shall save his people from their sins.' The hand which he extends to the despairing soul is scarred with the wounds of his vicarious pain; and the arm which he makes bare for our deliverance is the arm of omnipotent love. "Wherefore

also he is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

Now these are the four great principles of religion. They constitute the sum and substance of it. And the warrant for their truth is found in the Word of God.

I believe in this religion, "the old-time religion." It is the only religion. There are other quasireligions; but they fail to accomplish the desired end.

Abreast of the past.-I believe in this old-time religion, because it is abreast of the past.

"This is the way the prophets went,

The road that leads from banishment,
The King's highway of holiness."

In a matter of such vital moment the trodden path is the best path for us. Our religion has been tested and approved by centuries of experience. It is beyond all belief that the innumerable company of those who have affixed their faith to the gospel in past centuries, loving it in life and leaning upon it in death, have been victims of a delusion. I am certainly not willing to concede this until stronger reasons are adduced to support it.

Abreast of the present.-I believe in this religion, because it is abreast of the present. There are hundreds of millions of people in the world to

day who find in this gospel a satisfying response to every possible need. It is their strength in weakness, their comfort in sorrow, their light in darkness, their friend in loneliness, their rod and staff in the Valley of Death.

Abreast of the future. And I believe in the old-time religion because it is abreast of the future. You will find it in the forefront of every progressive movement of our time. It stands for light and humanity and civilization. It stands for national comity and the brotherhood of man. It is animated by an indestructible spirit of hope and courage; so that, in spite of foes without and betrayals within, it moves right onward to the Golden Age.

I am not ashamed of the gospel; for it has proven itself to be the power of God unto salvation. The fashion of this world passeth away; but the facts of the old-time religion abide. "The Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified; unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness; but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God."

A Temple of Progress.-This religion was adjusted in the beginning to all the possible mutations of time. Nothing has occurred which its divine Author did not anticipate. Its essential facts have been and always will be in line with progress. When Richelieu was superintending the demolish

ing of his ancestral château, preparatory to the building of a more magnificent residence, he bade the workmen spare one inner room. It was the chamber where his eyes had first opened to the light, where his mother had lulled him to sleep on her bosom. He could not see it destroyed; but required his architects to conform the plans of his palace to it. So rises the Temple of Progress around the Holy of Holies. In that inner sanctuary is the Ark of the Covenant, within which are deposited the great principles of our faith. The old truths abide! God himself is "the same yesterday and to-day and forever," and all great and enduring verities have their heart and center in him. We shall never, therefore, outlive the oldtime religion; certainly not until human nature changes and God ceases to be God.

It is related of Lord Chesterfield that, while visiting in Paris during the flood-tide of infidelity, he was entertained at the table of a distinguished lady known as a bitter foe of the Christian faith. She said to him, "My lord, I am informed that your Parliament is composed of some hundreds of profound and brilliant thinkers. This being so, will you explain to me how it is that, under their authority, the obsolete religion of the Bible is still maintained as the religion of the realm?" He answered, "Madam, it is a mere temporary makeshift. We are casting about for something better; and when that is discovered, we shall surely make way for it."

Above all others.-The world has been casting about, during all the centuries, for something better, and has not found it! Freethinkers have sought for it by the light of the midnight oil; kings and potentates have sought for it by the light of Smithfield fires; but they have not found it. They will go on seeking, in vain. Meanwhile men and women under the burdens of life will come to Christ for succor and deliverance. Sinners in despair will find their only hope beneath his cross. The song of redeeming grace will ring louder and sweeter until it drowns the cry, "Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their cords from us.' Then every knee shall bow before Christ and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honor unto him.

No, there is no reason for being ashamed of the gospel. I have seen many fashions of theology come and go. I have seen many dreams of philosophers vanish into thin air. I have heard many elegies chanted and funeral orations pronounced over the old-time religion; but if there is any significance in the logic of events we can confidently brace ourselves against the Rock of Ages and let the caviling crowd sweep by.

""Tis the old-time religion,
And it's good enough for me!"