San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-12-20

perhaps, must pay their dues TO 4 club,
and these things leave them but mite
for charity. Ii Is a position that cannot
be truthfully denied, thar fairs, dinners
and suppers 10 raise funds for religious
purposes, would be unnecessary, In case
church members were AS liberal
rs their means admit of their
being in giving 10 the church
for the salary of the minister and the
Improvement Of the church editice.
Church members can turn this thought
over in their minds and evolve from 1t
profitable instruction.
Are you hostile TO the Christian re-
ligiOn that you level your blows so per-
sistently at lis Ostenslble professors BY
no means | am its well wisher from
the bottom OF my heart. But, | wish to
see it live up to the mark of the prize
of its high calling, instead of Sinking
its duty and entering into partnership
with the world. wish well to its purity,
not to Its cOrruptiOn-l wish well 10 its
YitalIZng energies, not 10 Its corpse
like apathy. The professors of the
Christian religion are designed to repre-
sent Christ, and unless they do SO repre-
sent him, they are like blowers that have
lost their fragrance. aud salt that has
lost its SAVIOR My purpose and aim "a TO
awaken professors from their apRthy-tO
arouse them from the slumber OF false
security INTO which they have fallen,
and to quiCEen their energies and re-
invigOrate their strength so that their
daily lives and conversation may eXem-
plfy the fundamental truths of religion
and commend religion 10 the men OF the
world.
But church members must be made TO
realize the cardinal truth, that charity
l.. a s. 81. a III
the "fulfilling of the law" for, they can
not be filled with the spirit Of Christ I'M
til they become really and truly charit-
able. TO the extent of their worldly
means. They must feel, that IL 10 more
blessed TO give then to receive and
that they must go IN search OF the poor
and needy aud minister to their wants,
when they find them in their novels,
hungry, cold and shtVering. Every city
can boast OF charitable men and women,
who go about doing good" San AntO-
MO has many men and women Of this
noble breed, but Ii stands in need OF
more men and women OF this type. The
harvest ia abundant, but the reapers are
few. The churches should lead of in
all works Of charity. They must do so,
or give arms to infidelity with which 10
attack religion.
The USE of retrOspectiOn and self
examination cannot be Over-estimated.
They disclose to US our shortcomings,
our weakness and our failures, and by 30
doing, afford US an opportunity Of max
ing PREPARATIONS and atOnements rs well
as OF avoiding similar shortcomings in
the time to come.
Let each man interrOgate his memory
and conscience as to whether he has
been as charitable as he might have
been during the year 1886. Has he shu;
his ears to no cry OF distress that he
might have responded to without incon-
venience to himself Has lie turned his
back upon no poor and needy person
whom he could have relieved? Has he
shown constant Willingness to be
charitable? II conscience and mem
DRY are unable to give affirmative an
swers TO these questions, then it is time
| to turn over new lear and to repair
tne errors of the past by more thorough
| system of charity. LAYMAN.