The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-07-30


We have before us the picture of Christ
going about in all Gallilee, teaching in
the synagogues, and healing the sick, and
we behold him followed by great multi
tudes from Gallilee, from Decapolis, from
Jerusalem, from Judea, and from beyond
Jordan. Seeing the multitudes, he goes
up into mountain, and taught the peo-
pie, giving, among many others. the say
ing quoted above.
This expression, viewed intelligently,
is a broad and comprehensive one, and
embraces wide range of human posi-
bilities. But it is uttered here as being
burdened with certain conditions "If
the salt have lost its SAVIOUR, wherewith
shall it be salted? 1t is thenceforth good
for nothing but to be cast out. and to be
trodden under the foot of men,
If these be the salt of the earth, they
must be those placed under favorable
conditions, with power to beautify the
material existence, and to lift up the soul
to the grand nights of gospel purity.
The very existence of such condition
in man calls for noble response to the
kindly providence which contemplates
such blessings. How has the "salt" re-
tained it's flavor? Let the mind grasp
the idea of the Savior and teacher of
men looking over the condition of the
mulfltudes of earth, say, two thousand
years after the talk to the multitudes up
on the mountain.
We behold broad eXpanse of stately
woods and fertile felds-a garden, which
speaks volumes in praise of the benefi-
cence which created it. Literally sprink-
led upon this is the salt of humanity,
with every favorable condition for re-
tanning the SAVIOUR. AS we behold the
scenes and conditions of the picture we
may not understand how the salt could
become robbed of it's strength. Peace,
plenty, and prosperity. Industry makes
the fields to smile and nod with their
wealth of grain; the forests are deprived
of their most stately monarchs to make
the places and busy manufactures of
mankind. Surely by these signs the
salt shall retain its SAVIOUR. This should
be the home of refined thought, of noble
impulse, of upright deeds. Here the
earth, under the refining influence of the
salt, should become, and remain, at once
beautiful and productive. But, unfortu-
nately, human thought cannot be con-
fined within the narrow channel of a
mere sense of duty, and the salt soon be-
gins to show signs of unnatural life and
activity. The forest monarchs are felled
great warehouses are builded, palatial
rooms are filled up. There is the sound
of mirth, of joy, of revelry by night. The
joyful associations, and amid the pomp
and glitter of artificial surroundings
make the most of passing joy. Temper
arily the SAVIOUR is preserved, even in.
creased. But after while the noise
and revelry, and unnatural enjoyment
begins those who really retain some mite
of the SAVIOUR. A squalor begins to be
manifest amid the scenes where before
all was glitter and beauty. Gradually
the show of the artisan begins to fade
under the decaying touch of violence an(
time. We walk abroad over this habita
tion of the salt of the earth, and we dis
cover wonderful changes. These Great
ures who were forewarned against losing
their saltiness have undergone mos
wonderful and incomprehensible trans
formation. Their saltiness has becom,
rank, and offensive in smell. Where tn
mirth, and joy, and revelry prevailed, nov
sounds the wild and maudlin orgies o
maniacs The taints of disease, and suf
fering, and crime have been ingrained il
the salt, until the SAVIOUR is gone. Th
offensiveness of the place is somethin;
beyond the power or limit of human
charity BY the indications upon ever,
hand we are instructed as to the tru
condition of things. These people hav
changed in nature, in appearance, and il
the very designation wherewith Chris
named them. They have by their owl