The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-04-01
RIGHT LIVING.
Christianity a Positive Religion-It Calls
for the Doing of Good as Well as the Abb
staining from Evil.

Christianity a Positive Religion-It Calls
for the Doing Of Good as Well as the ABB
staining from Evil.
[synopsis of q Recent Sermon by r. 8. Mac. |
Arthur, ID. D., New York;
ave Should Live soberly, Rlghteously, God.
ly."-Titits H:f2.
This chapter is full Of practical sugges-
ton and instruction. In the early part OF
the verse we have O statement of the
things which the grace Of God teaches us
to deny. But religion is not system of
| negatives. There must be the doing OF
good as well as the denying Of evil. The
text is an instructive epitome Of how we
should live. Let us follow the order 1t sug-
gests.
I. We should live soberly. This word
refers to our duty 10 ourselves. We have
several examples of the use of this word
1t means having all desires under the con-
troll Of reason; acting wisely, moderately,
discreetly. It teaches that all passions
and propensities must be under self-con-
troll.
1. We must have control over all tho
base passions Of our nature. Nowhere
does the Bible teach that the laceration OF
the body purifles the soul. Everywhere
the Bible honors the body; but it gives
the body its rlghtful Iplace: it is to be
kept under. This is its honored place.
It is to be the temple of the Holy
Ghost. Who dare defile this tenn
pie? No man can command who does not
obey. The monarch OF himself Is f'1J Oh
men.
2. There is to be proper restraint over
the more refined, the aesthetic elements OF
car nature. These have a rightful sphere.
Christ loved the beautiful. To cloud and
mountain, TO Cover and forest, God has
given beauty for its own sake-beauty not
necessary to utility. There is no piety in
ugliness. God had no criticism to make on
David's cedar palace. II you can build a
fine house and pay for it with your own
money-uot your neighbor's, nor Gods
build it; adorn 1t with statuary, beautify II
with paintings: but make art the hand
maid Of religion. See to 1t Chat the more
you spend on yourself the more you giyo
TO God. There Is danger OF undue ex-
travagance for ourselves. Giving to God
makes us economical in other respects.
This Is a blessing. The old-fAshioned
virtues OF economy and simplicity and
honesty need to be emphasized to-day.
3. There must also be wise control over
our professional pursuits. / an no monk
You ought to be men Of worldly push and
success. Strike out nobly in your profess
sional career. But remember, this world
Is not all. Let eternal verities dwarf
earthly vanitles. Let the sunlight OF
heaven dim the splendor Of earthly
glories. The triumphs of the word are
grander to those who desire them than TO
those who possess chem. The man who
lives for anything short of God, has
missed the meaning and glory of life. To
him life Is a failure. He consents to bo q
thing, and not a man. A man reaches up
10 God. As a flower follows the sun, so
true man turns toward Jesus Christ, the
Sun Of righteousness.
II. We are also to live righteously. Per-
haps the word 'justly" is better one to
express the Idea. In the New Testament,
righteous Is often used in an objective
sense; here tho idea refers simply to moral
rectitude. This refers to our duty to our
neighbor. We now enter on Q wider
sphere. Analyze this duty.
1. We are not needlessly to injure our
neighbor. His property, his person, his
good name Is 10 be sacred. Sometimes
sense of duty TO our fellow may oblige
US to speak harshly, because truthtully, Of
, our fellow.men. We have no right to set
bad example.
p We are 10 render 10 every one his due.
We must be Just In all our dealings. We
are divinely exhorted TO provide things
honest In the sight Of all men. Character
! IL what God knows us TO be: reputation Is
what men think Us 70 be. Still, even re-
: putation Is Immensely important.
3. We are TO strive TO lead all 10 saliva
ton through Christ Our duty TO men Ia
not negative. Duty Is "due-ty." The
, Christian Is 10 be Christlike; thus he viii
.. draw men 10 God. M
, III. The sphere widens. We are TO live
, "godly.p This has reference TO our duty
Immediately TO God. Regard To God runs
i through all our other duties; personal and
/ relative dvties must be done with an eye
a 70 His glory. But some duties refer at
a once 10 Him. There are direct duties
4 which we owe to Him, and which are in.
q cluded In living godly. What are somei
' 1. Repentance toward God. Remember
r tho preaching Of John the Baptist Re-
A member Chris's preaching. Repentanc'
!. is q, "heart broken for and from sin" Il
4 you do not turn you have not repented
!. Turn now. ttlaFHt y
4 ?. Faith is Jesus Christ True repent
a ance is not really separablc from faith
!. You can not please God II you refuse y
. trust Him. is
}. Q. Obedience. This includes all duties
q ITO obey Is better than sacri6oe."
% Ifyou are right with God you can rot b
10 wrong with men. Begin now 10 "liv
q soberly, righteously and godly.S