The following is the exact sermon given in 1862, which was shared by Pastor Blaine Pritchett August 19th, 2018.
John Todd Sermon. Delivered Civil Bend Oct 5, 1862.
Passing Away
1 Cor. 7:31. “And they that use the world as not abusing it: for the fashion of the world passeth away.”
In view of the fact that time is short, the apostle urges its proper improvement. The early Christians encountered severe persecution and were often subjected to the loss of all their possessions and even their lives. In that perilous state, it was inexpedient to allow themselves to become interested in worldly matters. But farther, whatever might await them, time itself is so short that wisdom would lead to avoid becoming deeply enlisted in it’s pleasures, cares and perplexities.
To use this world as not abusing it is one of the most difficult as well as the most important acquisitions to be made by the Christian. “By so many desires and passing we are connected with the objects around us, that our attachment to them is always in hazard of becoming excessive and sinful.” Yet we are not to give our appetites to indulgence, our bodies to riot, or our days and nights to feasting and revelry—the word “fashion” here is probably taken from the shifting scenes of the drama where the scene changes, the imposing and splendid pageantry passes off the form of the world is illusive—it continues but a little time and soon the scene changes—the fashion that allured and enticed us now passes away and we pass to other scenes. Nothing in human affairs is fixed and stable. All is in motion and fluctuation; allowing its appearance every moment, and passing into some new form. Let us contemplate a little serious view which is here given us of the world in order that we may attend to improvements which it suggests.
1. The fashion of the world is passing away as the opinions, ideas, and manners of men are ever changing.
- Opinions, principles, and systems of philosophy. We look in vain for an enduring standard, e.g., ideas of the solar system, shape of the earth, [John] Locke on the understanding, [Jonathan] Edwards on the will, etc.
- Modes of living and employing time, discoveries and inventions have changed the aspects of society—educational advantages and modes of imparting instruction, Sabbath schools, church architecture, carriages and vehicles. How Paul traveled—the next age will introduce its discoveries and innovations.
- Think of the changes which our own opinions and ideas undergo in life—in youth buoyant, ardent, hopeful, but time dispels illusions. Air citadels totter and fall.
2. External things without and around us are ever changing. The face of nature and monuments of art are changing, especially in older countries, castles, palaces, towers and walls are falling to decay. Splendid cities become deserted and neglected villages – so there are in America monuments of a civilized race.
- History is but a record of changes—the rise and fall of dynasties and nations—but our own memories remind us of the changes in our day. Factions and parties have had their day and gone. Political questions change.
- Statesmen and fathers have fallen. Within ten years [Zachary] Taylor, [Henry] Clay, [Daniel] Webster, [Thomas Hart] Benton and others have died. So of the leaders in Israel how many have gone.
- If we turn to our own private connections, how strong the evidence of passing away! Where are the companions of our early years—parents—kindred, and friends. The home of our childhood fall into new hands, who soon despoil them of all that endeared them to us.
3. Our own life is passing away. “We spend our years as a tale that is told.” Not as moment—an inscription in the rock—not even a book, but a tale—infancy, childhood, youth and old age follow in quick succession with the flight of time. The world is composed of unceasing rounds of transitory existence.
- The condition of life is perpetually changing. When we “get fixed” how soon are our own expectations disconcerted. Health fails—friends die, families scatter—misfortune blights to remind us that we have no continuing city here.
4. The world itself is fitted for change. “While the generations of men come forth in their turn like troops of succeeding pilgrims, to act their part on this globe, the globe on which they act is tottering under their feet.” Once deluged—shaken by earthquakes—undermined by fires and doomed to be burnt up.
- Is everything then passing and transitory? Is our existence but a dream? Nothing stable? Nothing abiding? Yes: thank God, there is something lasting. “We have a building of God—a house not made with hands eternal, etc.
-Virtue and goodness never change. They rest on the immutable basis of eternal truth. Probity, truth and beneficence form the honor and excellence of man in the opinion of philosopher and savage, warrior, hermit and heathen alike. Let us then hold fast our integrity and trust in God amid the wreck of the world.
- For God is immutable. His throne is established forever, and his Kingdom ruleth overall. All changes are in harmony with the divine plan.
- Heaven and immortality will endure forever. This is but a period of trial preparatory to life beyond the grave. There is a city which hath foundations—a Kingdom which cannot be moved.
- Set your affections then on things above. Virtue, God, and Heaven.
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