I. HOW TO DETECT A REFUGE OF LIES.

Is there any way in which we can tell a true refuge from a false one, a refuge that will stand the test of the coming day of God from a refuge that the hail shall sweep away? There are four tests that will commend themselves to the reason and common-sense of every intelligent and candid man here to-night, whereby he can tell a true refuge from a false one, a refuge that will save from a refuge that will ruin; a refuge of truth from a refuge of lies. The first test is this:—

1. A true Refuge is one that meets the highest Demands of your own Conscience.—If that in which you are trusting does not meet the highest demands of your own conscience, it certainly is not a hiding place from accusations of conscience. Furthermore, it is not a hiding-place from the wrath of God, for if our own hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things.

2. The second test is this: Every true Refuge is one, trust in which is making you a better man or woman today.— If you are trusting in something which is not making you a better man or woman to-day, it is not a hiding-place from the power of sin within, it is not a hiding-place from the power of Satan, it is not a hiding-place from the wrath to come; for a refuge that does not save you from the power of sin here on earth, very certainly will never save you from the consequences of sin hereafter.

3. In the third place: A true Refuge is one that will stand the Test of the Dying Hour.—If you are trusting in something that simply brings you comfort when you are well and strong, but will fail you in that great hour that we have all got to face, when we lie face to face with death and eternity, it is absolutely worthless.

4. In the fourth place: A true Refuge is one that will stand the Test of the Judgment Day.—If you are trusting in something that will not stand the test of that great Judgment Day, when we have to pass up before the judgment bar of God to give an account of the deeds done in the body, it is absolutely worthless. There are men here in London indicted for murders and about to be tried. Now suppose you went down to see one of these men, and you found him in a very peaceful frame of mind, without a fear, and you said to him, “Well, you seem very cheerful for a man charged with murder.” “Oh, yes,” he said, “I am; I have no anxiety whatever about that trial.” And you say, “What, no anxiety about it?” “No, none whatever.” he replies. “Why not?” you say. “Because,” says he, “I have an answer to make.” “Well, is your answer one that will satisfy the judge and jury?” you ask. “No,” he replies, “I do not think it will satisfy the judge and jury, but it satisfies me.” “Why,” you would say, “what good is it if your answer satisfies you, if it will not satisfy the judge and jury before whom the case is to be tried.” The question is not whether your hope satisfies you; will it satisfy God? I might add a fifth test: will it stand the test of the Word of God?

Here then are the four tests: first, Is it meeting the highest demands of your own conscience? second, Is it making you a better man or woman? third, Will it stand the test of the dying hour? fourth, Will it stand the test of the judgment day?