"And to think of ourselves is truly ennobling. I do not mean as the egotist thinks. But to think of our individual capacity and obligations. The Greeks had a motto over their temple at Delphi, it was 'Know Thyself.' To know ourselves is the beginning of wisdom. Young men, learn to know yourselves and your responsibility; but none of these is the subject of David's thought. "'_I thought on my ways_.' Our ways toward God. We have not treated anyone as we have treated God. We have shut him out of our homes, lives, hearts, while he stood at the door knocking; while he cried, 'Behold I stand at the door and knock.' Men live through years without thinking of God, until illness or affliction comes, then they call upon him for help. Ah! It is indeed humiliating to think of our ways toward our dearest Friend, who loves us and gave himself for us. It is wise and should, also, be profitable to think of our ways toward our fellow-men. We have not always treated them as directed by God's Word. How selfishness has inspired our conduct toward them in many instances! Who of us today can look back and see ourselves ever doing to others as we would have them do unto us? Who of us can say, 'I have always loved my neighbor as myself'? "Well might this be the cry of David's repentant heart. He thought of a brave and honest soldier, whose wife he coveted, and in order to possess her he ordered the soldier to be placed in the most dangerous place in the battle, where he was slain. First, murder; next, adultery. Well might David's soul cry out, 'I thought on my ways.' It is not likely that I am at this time speaking to anyone who would be guilty of such gross sins as here cited, but you, citizens of this fair commonwealth, nevertheless, can well afford to consider your ways toward your fellow-men, remembering that no man has come to the full stature of Christian manhood who does not love his neighbor as himself. "Now, in conclusion. Your thinking brings results: David turned his feet unto the testimonies of the Lord. Thought, if worthy of the name, prompts a man to do something or to leave off doing something." With strength and effectiveness the young preacher dwelt upon the latter part of the text, and closed with a warning against procrastination, declaring it senseless, dangerous, and, in many cases, cruel. The doxology was sung and the people began to disperse, though many of those present pressed toward the chancel to congratulate the young preacher. The bishop, too, was generous in his words of praise, "The Lord thinks kindly of you, my son," he said, warmly, "or you could not have preached that good sermon. God bless you." That evening and for several days afterward Tom was exultant. In his estimation no man had ever preached such a sermon in the Monastery church at the opening service, not even Bishop McLaren himself. "Mother," cried the lad, as he returned to the farmhouse, "don't you think that my Carl preached better than his father?"