The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-05-20
eIApsroNE,s H1oH 1prAr.
His Faithful Obedience TO the Heav-
only Vision-A Service OF Man
and n worship of God.

only VtsiOn-A service OF Man
and n worship OF God.
In the course Of recent sermon tho
Rev. Heber Newton, OF New York, made
the following allusion to Mr.. Gladstone: /:
"Ohe magnificent example of obedience
to the heavenly vision is conspicuous in
the eyes Of the world to-day. A genera
tion ago a man entered public life in
England with the highest possible ideals
ideals which called him to make OF
craftsmanship service OF man q worship
Of God. With simple modest speech he
early made 1t known in Parliament that
he looked upon his career, not MS promis-
ing opening for ambition, not as field for
the political adventurer, but as lofty
mission, trust from the nation and from
the nations God. He avowed his belief
that the supreme work OF the State w9s
to promote internal improvements, to ease
the burden OF labor, to elevate the lot Of
the masses, to correct abuses, to foster q
higher manhood; that international rela-
tionships as well rs the affairs OF indi-
yiduals were to be brought rs far as posi-
BILE under higher laws; that peace was
the true and normal order for Christian
nations, and right and not might should
dictate public policy. He came into
power and seriously set himself to carry
out these principles. He lost power when
he moved too straight and steadfast after
the heavenly vision Of the statesman, for
then the people fell away from following
after him, and sought other grounds than
principle Out Of power he proved as true
to his vision as though no failure had
crowned him with thorns, and he never
sought to buy his way back to the Premier
ship by lowering his ideals.
Again he came into power to take up
and pursue his early dream. For the
greater part Of this generation he has
been the leading figure in the history OF
the land which we are proud to call our
motherland. He has made mistakes. He
has shown his limitations. He has not
been god, but only rare and glorious
man. Circumstances have forced him
into positions where he has seemed to act
contrary to his convictions. The penalty
of the wrongs and the blunders Of others
have fallen upon him. But he has never
so far as can see, really turned aside
from following after that heavenly vision
of his youth. England, at his prompting
has dared to decide quarrel against ITSELF
and the proudest empire on earth, under
his leadership, was true enough to its bet
ter nature to yield, In South Africa, the
claim Of the Beers against the popular
clamor for war in the face Of q national
humiliation. because those claims were
just. And now, when the irony Of fate
has thrust this lover Of peace into the ves-
tibule OF war, this friend OF Russia into
the position Of its foe, with what superb
self-command, with what calm strength
fulness he is exhausting every resource Of
diplomacy TO prevent the horrors Of q
great war; making no threats, breathing
no bluster. passing no judgment until the
evidence is all in, and yet, with an afr Of
resolution that allows OF no misunder-
standing, preparing vigorously for the In
evitable; giant donning his armor with
an aching heart and face in toars. Mag
nifcent spectacle Of Christian manhood.
Though he were to fall amid the clash Of
arms, overborne by the responsibilities Of
an awful war, he could in dying smile
and say, i was not disobedient to the
heavenly VISION"
Mr. Newton was preaching about the
Christian life as the filling out of the ideal
of each vocation. He said there was need
to urge the Christian ideals upon human
callings, since there are SO few callings
which embody the spirit Of Christ The
public schools hold up before boys dis
tinctiyely pagan ideal. Society presented
an ideal OF life which was altogether a
mockery to its Christian profession. Pub
lie officers, having much to say about the
grace Of God on coins and in State papers,
showed very little OF such grace In their
ideals Of craftsmanship. Could any one
fancy Jesus Christ at the head of fash
ionable school, an average successful bust
ness house, or Of European nation Yet,
Mr. Newton argued, II was possible TO
lead Christian life In the world II there
was any truth In belief about Christ.
"All around u.s." he said, "are men in
business who have lost the heavenly Wis
ion that once came TO them OF the ideal
merchant or manufacturer. Men who
buy In the cheapest market and sell In the
dearest, and who deal with labor as with
a ware TO be regulated wholly by supply
and demand-it is these men who poison
the honor Of business and who engender
the strife between capital and labor. Thus
It is In every sphere Of life. Hosts OF men
and women forget all about their heaven
ly visions, smile at their early enthusiasm
and become, as they tell you, practical
people, taking life rs they find It and max
ing the best out Of It. Successful men and
women, the world calls them-leaders OF
society. Yet, thank God, there are men
in every sphere who are not disobedient to
the heavenly vision-physicians who find
In their profession something higher than
lucrative income; lawyers who hold no
retainer to defend a wrong; educators who
honestly seek TO turn out true men and