The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-07
FIRST MAY BE LAST.
Gods Estimate of People Not
the Same as Mans.
A PLEA FOR BETTER MOTIVES.
Rev. L. w. Bead's Morning Discourse
New fsstor for Grace Church-Pros-
porous South Seattle Society.

PiCaOHcu upon tue SuDleCt. line Last
First and the First Last" taking his text
from Matthew xxviii:16. His congrega-
ton was large and the singing excellent.
1Ie said:
The present environment and previous con-
ditlon have much to do with determining the
worth OF a human soul. Strength OF character
and genuineness of spirit are not to be esti-
mated by what the world calls success. God
measures these by his correct rule-three feet
to every yard There is no way by which men
can hide the shallowness of their pretentions
from His penetrating gaze Those to whom we
might accord the greatest need OF praise may be
those OF whom God thinks least. Divine
mepsuration will often differ widely from hui
man estimates. We judge By that which people
seem to be; God judges by that which they are
To seem to be and to be may differ as widely as
the poles. God estimates the value of character
. not by the bulk OF work done or OF sacrifices
made, but by the animated spirit pos sessed.
This is the teaching OF the Master in this les
son. Peter had said to Him: Lord, we have
forsaken all and followed Thee; what shall we
have therefore? This shows a mercenary spirit
on the part of Peter, and therefore contrary to
the real spirit of Christianity. Christ does not
rebuke him sharply, bat prepares him for val
liable lesson by word of comfort and promise
He assures him that all who make sacrifices in
His name shall be fully rewarded both here and
hereafter. He follows this by giving him to I'M
uefekhuu tHdt Uihuy W no are Hrst bQaIi De last
and the last shall be first. II thore ia q wrong
motive all that one may do and suffer gees for
naught with God in His estimate OF life Many
who are counted first here By what they do may
be esteemed last by Him because Cover ned by
proud and selfish spirit, while many who are
unknown here, and il known at ali a.e counted
little may be esteemed great by Him because Of
meek and quiet spirit
L God estimates worth by the motive back of
the act. and not by the act itself. The story of
these worEmen illustrates this point Those
who had worked the entire day were conscious
that they were first, for they said: ave have
borne the burden and heat OF the day." That
spirit of self-eonsciousness and seifsh interest
sent them to the rear. 1hut spirit may work in
the world OF traffic but 1t is all wrong in the
spiritual life. He does not judge by bulk. Tina
poor widow who deposited her two mites in the
lords bank did more than those who cast in OF
their abundance. Her gift was all she had, and
given timdiy and SO must have come from the
pursst motive. The eye of the Master caught
the act, and she was commended for the gilt.
He declared she had done moro than all who
had given. IL Is not ponderousness, mass,
bulk, that weighs with God, but d heart set Oh
doing His will. 1t Is not fuss and buster
and a great show OF piety that gains His
appreciation, but earnest hesrt-power, the
motives OF which are beyond self There is
poor woman living in a tenement with environ
ments which shut her out from your social set,
and whose life is given entirely to her family.
She faithfully cares for her children and brings
them up in way that would do credit to one
occupying much higher place in social life.
These children grow up to fill houored places in
society aud the church. Counted least and last
here, but first over there. That obscure sufferer
in the howell, patiently enduring for the Masters
sake without murmur. stands a better show to
be first than the professed Christian who passes
By on the other side without even so much as a
Eympltbatia inoE Tho Chriatiap life dnaa no
consist in performing some great deed, but in
being in close sympathy with God.
p Mans estimate Is not that by which God
judges The judgments of men are warped, par
tal and prejudiced by external surroundings
and conditions. God goes beyond all external
conditions, and bases His judgment things
as they really are When Joseph had been cast
into an Egyptian prison by the scandal of
Patapher's wife, the people pronounced juda-
ment, and. externally. everything was against
him, but God saw through the whole scheme OF
the devil He estimated Joseph by his inner
life, and exalted him and made him first in the
kingdom. A life built upon motives impure
will inevitably send to the rear, while on the
other hand, life governed by motives Of right
will bring to the front
When jeremiah was looking for man in
jerusalem and prophesying the doom of that
people he was estimated as disturber of the
peace and an enemy to his nation. So great was
sfhe clamor against him that he
was subjected to the greatest indignity and
torture God had His eye upon him, and in the
end indicated His recognition or his worth and
made him first, and the king and his princes
last
Jesus estimates character by the spirit in
which sacrifices are made, and not by the sscri-
fees themselves. II a sacrifice is made that self
may be glorified in the end, God canuot accept
1t because il was not done for him. Everything
must be done wholly and solely for him, or he
~
then, cannot DO blessed of God His glory or
nothing must be the spirit in which every act
Is performed
The great tenor, Mario, was one morning
passing through the market place at Lyons
when his attention was attracted by poor bag
gar woman and her child, who were appealing
io&help. Impressed by the noble face OF the
child he felt in his pocket for money, but found
twas empty Barring his head and holding his
hat In such way as to screen his face
and TO receive the coins of the passersby, he be-
Gan to sing simple air. The song ended, he
poured the gathered treasure into the lap OF the
grateful mother and went his way. not dream
Ing that he had been recognized. But tn the
evening whom he appeared before the tootlghts
cheer after cheer arose from the assembled
1 hroug, that pelted him with flowers, and would
not be satisfied till he had repeated in the the
/ ater the song OF the market place. II he had
/ Gone that act in the hope OF reward IL would
have been entirely spoiled. The utter absence
seli-seeking spirit is that which gives to it
sworth. II is always thus in Christian en-
oeavor. Down in that shanty is one poor and
tek and needy There are men and women all
about who believe themselves to belong to God;
bat relief comes. There is one who has
lot much of this worlds goods, who
,soes under the cover OF darkness
/ Stnd gives relief both temporal and
/ spiritual the world does not know. The news
paper reporter does not get hold OF 1t to be
nsralied TO its thousands OF readers the next
morning. Ii is an act born Of the spirit OF God.
i Nothing can ever be gained from il OF personal
ehsrscter, but God takes notice of it Ths
4 nnnihcaat gifts oil a Rockefeller cannot be COM
pared with this act of self-sacrihce aud void OF
| ssesiseeSias spirit
/ seli-cOusc.ous spirit is not one that Will
| Pace one first with God. A consciousness OF
seii must be put in the background and duty
oalyto play part in the desire TODD good. A few
Years ago in terrific blizzard which swept over
As Northwest many perished within little
way OF safety In school kept out on the
/ psirie IN Nebraska there was young woman
i wac acted as teacher. She saw the danger and
eenrey uneopscous OF self she thought OF those
| .N'dren and their safety. She hurriediy
h'aeTed them together SO that all would keep
| ossther; she took hold of the end OF the cord
ea started for the nearest house. IL was a ter
.oe experience, bat bravely did she pressen
4 asough the binding storm, and at great peril
4 saved the children. 1t is true she saved
ss'AsI &c well but her thought was ioE
we ehildIen Men applaud heroism on
vac battlefield, where glory is sought, but ihls
i - Was d!sp ay Of unconscious herolsTl. Il.