Now I would premise that many of us here this morning, after such an examination, would find that we are in the condition of the psalmist before he made his great decision, and began his new life. We would find we are in the wrong way—some willingly, some unwittinzly—But none realizing the extent of our -waywardness. Some of ws are blundering away through the mud and mire of sin and shame—for it is sadly true that it is possible to be fairly well satisfied with ourselves. and yet to be terribly guilty in the sight of God. It is possible to be strangely blind to ones own faults and failings—even as David was when he compassed the-death of Uriah—not realizing what is involved until in some startling fashion Cot intervenes to awaken our slumbering conscience.
And others are also in the wrong way—not so Obviously and openly perhaps, but none the less surely. By devious paths, and in hidden ways their feet are travelling in the bare direction, away from God and holiness, and towards the country of shame and eternal loss.
I say after self examination, for I am convinced that one of the outstanding characteristics of our day and generation, is that we have no proper sense of sin. It is customary io speak of the intolerance of past generations—we could do with some of it to-day where sin is concerned. One said to me the other bay that he could not use those words in the service of Holy Communion, wherein we confess those sins' that we "most grievously have committed" for he did net feel that he had. It was an exaggeration—The same was true of that phrase "miserable offenders" in the General Confession.
Now I am convinced that there is not one of us who cannot take those words and the somewhat similar words in the General Confession we used a few moments ago, on his or her lips with perfect truth and honesty. If they seem {o include exaggerated statements it is because we have made the mistake of the Corinthian Christians to whom St. Paul writes. He points out that if they can commend themselves, it is because they have made the mistake of "Measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves."—instead of bringing all to the true Christian standard of an imitation of Christ. Wisely then the Church calls us in this Lenten season to examine our lives in the light of God's Holy Word, and to check our lives by the standard, not of men, but of Christ.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.