Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1889-08-10

81
LIVINGSTON. NJ. T.. Aug. 4.-Tho
Rev. T. Dc Witt Talmagc. d. d.. Of
Brooklyn, n. y, preached here today.
taking for his subject: "Ouiwittcd by
the World" He took for his text. ST
Luke xvi, 8. THE children Of this
world are in their generation wiser
than the children OF light and dcliv
cred the following discourse:
That is another way Of saying that
Christians are not so skillful in the
manipulation OF spiritual affairs
rs worldlings are skillful in the
management Of temperatures see
all around me people who are alert.
earnest, concentrated. and skillful in
monetary matters. who in the affairs
Of the soul are laggards. inanc. inert
COMMON SENSE IN RELIGION WANTED.
Tho great want of this world is more
co,lmon sense in matters Of religion.
II one half Of the skill and forccful
ncss employed in financial affairs were
employed in disseminating the truths
OF Christ and trying 10 make the
juggernaut would fall. the last throne
Of oppression upset. the last iniqui,y
tumble. aud the anthem that was
chanted over Bethlehem on Christmas
night could be echoed and rc-cchocd
from all nations and kindred aud pco
pie: GLORY TO God in the highest. and
on earth peace. good will TO men"
Some years ago. on train going
toward the southwest. us the porter
Of the sleeping car was making
up the bcrths at the evening tide.
i saw man knccl down 10 pray.
Worldly people in the car locked
on. MS much rs. TO say, "Wla,
does this meant" suppose the most
Of the people in the car thought that
man was either insane or that he was
a fanatic; but he disturbed no one
when he knclt. and he disturbed no
sation with him found out that he
was n member of II church IN my own
city, that he was n scafaring mln. aud
that he was ON his way Ia New Or
leans 10 take command of vessel |
thought then. az think now. that ten
such mcn-mcn with such courage for
God as that man had-would bring the
whole city To- Christ: II thousand such
men would bring this whole land Ia
God; ten thousand such men. in
short time, would bring the Sholc
earth into the kingdom Of Jesus. That
he was successful in worldly affairs.
found out That Ito was skillful in
spiritual affairs. you are well pcrsuad
cd. II men had the courage. the
pluck. the alcrtncsS. the acuncn. the
industry, the common sense in mat
tiers % the soul that they have in
earthly matters. this would bc very
different kind uf world To- live IN.
BUILDING AND CONDUCT OF CHURCHES.
In the first place We want more
common sense in the building and
conduct of churches The idea of
adaptivencsS is always paramount in
any other kind 81 structure II bank
erS meet together and they resolve
upon putting up IA bank. the bank is
especially adapted 10 banking pur
poses; If manufacturing company
put up a building. il is Ia bc adapted
10 manufacturing purposes; but adapt
iveness is not alwaysthc question in the
rearing Of churches. II. many Of our
churches We want more light, more
room, more ventilation. more comfort.
Vast sums OF money are expended on
ecclesiastical structures. and men sit
down in them, and you ask u man
how no likes the church, he says: II
like il very well. but | cant hear.
AS though shawl factory were good
for everything but making shawls.
The voice ii the preacher clashes
against the pillars. Men sit down under
the shadows Of the Gothic arches and
shivcr. and feel they must be- getting
religion. or something else. they feel
80 uncomfortable.
q my friends. we want more com
mon sense, in the rearing Of churches
There is no excuse for lack Of light
when the heavens are full of IL. no cx-
Gus for lack OF fresh air when the
world swims in it, IL ought To be an
expression not only Of our spiritual
happiness. but Of our physical comfort,
when We say: How amiablc are thy
tabcrnaclcs, o Lord God oi hosts! \
day in thy courts is better than IA
thousand.
WE MUST CONCENTRATE.
Again remark: We want more
conim' SENSE ia the obtaining Of rclI
gious hope. All men understand that
IN order To succeed in worldly dir,c.
tons they must concentrate. They
think on that one subject until their
mind takes lire with the velocity of
their own thoughts. All their acumclI.
all their strategy. all their wisdom. all
their common sense. they put III that
ono direction aud they succeed. But
how seldom IL is truo IN the matter OF
seeking after God. While no man
expects % accomplish anything for
this world without concentration and
enthusiasm, how many there are cN-
pccting after awhile Ia get into tie
Kingdom OF God without the use of
any such means. 4 miller in Califor
mia. many years ago. held up IA sparkle
Of gold until il bcwilchcd nations.
Tens Of thousands Of people lcf, their