Daily Yellowstone journal., 1889-08-11

7
LIVINGSTON, NJ. T., Aug. 1.-The
Rev. 7. De Witt Talmage, d. D., of
Brooklyn. n. Y, preached here today,
taking for his subject: 'Outwitted by
the World" He took for his text, ST.
Luke xvi, s. ''The children of this
world are in their generation wiser
than the children OF light" and deliv.
cred the following discourse:
That is another way Of saying that
Christians are not so skillful' in the
manipulation Of spiritual affairs
as worldlings are skillful in the
management OF temporalities. | see
all around me people who are alert.
earnest, concentrated, and skillful in
monetary matters, who in the affairs
Of the soul r laggards, inane, inert.
COMMON SENSE IN RELIGION WANTED.
The great want of this world is more
common sense in matters of religion.
II one half of the skill and forceful-
ness employed in financial affairs were
employed in disseminating the truths
of Christ, and trying 10 make the
world better. within ten years the last
juggernautwou fall, the last throne
Of oppression upset the last iniquity
tumble. and the anthem that was
chanted over Bethlehem on Christmas
night would be echoed and re-echoed
from all nations and kindred aud peo-
Pile; GLORY to God in the highest and
on earth peace. good will to men,"
Some years ago, on a train going
toward the southwest, as the porter
of the sleeping car was making
up the berths at the evening tide.
I saw a man kneel down 10 pray.
Worldly people in the car looked
on. as much as 70 say, What
does this meant" | suppose the most
of the people in the al thought that
man was either insane or that he was
a fanatic; but he disturbed no one
when he knelt, and he disturbed no
one when be arose. In after CONVEX
sation with him | found out hat he
was a member Of a church in my own
city, that he was a seafaring man. and
that he was on his way to New Or
leans 10 take command of a vessel. !
thought then, as | think now, that ten
such men-men with such courage for
God as hat man had-would bring the
whole city to Christ; a thousand such
men would bring this whole land TO
God; tell thousand such men. in a
short time, would bring the whole
earth into the kingdom Of Jesus. That
he was successful in worldly affairs, /
found out. That he was skillful in
spiritual affairs, you are we'll persuad-
ed. III men had the courage. the
pluck. the alertnesS. the acumen, the
industry, the common sense in mat
ters Of the soul that they have in
earthly matters, this would be a very
different kind Of 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
adaptiveness is always paramount in
any other kind Of structure. II bank
ers meet together and they resolve
upon putting up bank, the bank is
especially edApted 10 banking pur-
poses; if a manufacturing company
Elrsip a building, it is 10 be adapted
10 manufacturing purposes but adapt
ivtnessi is not alwaysthe question in the
rearing of churches. In many Of our
churches we want nor light, more
room. more ventilation. more comfort.
Vast Sums Of money are expended on
-ecciCMustical structures, and men sit
down IA them, and you ask a man
how I've likes the church; he says: al
like IL very well, but / can't hear"
As though a shawl factory were good
for everything but making shawls.
The voice Of the preacher dashes
against the pillars. Men sit down under
the shadows Of the Gothic arches and
shiver. and feel they must be getting
religion. or something else. they feel
80 uncomfortable.
o my friends, we want more con.
NOR sgnse, in the rearing Of churches.
There is no excuse for lack Of light
when the heavens are full Of il, no ex-
cuse for lack Of fresh air when the
world swims in it. II ought 10 be an
expression not only Of spiritua,
happiness, but OF our physical comfort,
when we say; How amiable are thy
tabernacles, o Lord God of hostsl A
day in thy courts is better than a
thousand
WE MUST CONCENTRATE.
Again | remark. We want more
common sense in the obtaining Of reli-
gious hope. All men understand that
In order TO succeed in worldly direc-
tons they must concentrate. They
think on that one subject until their
mind takes fire with the velocity Of
their own thoughts. Alltheir acumen,
all their strategy, all their wisdom, all
their common sense, they put in that
one direction and they succeed. But
how seldom II is true in the matter OF
seeking after God. While no man
expects 70 accomplish anything for
this world without concentration and
enthusiasm, how many there are ex-
pecting after awhile 10 get into the
kingdom OF God without the use Of
any such means. A miller In Califor-
mia, many years ago, held up a sparkle
q gold until II bewitchcd nationA