The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1894-12-19
Outline of Sermon Preached by Rev.
w. G. SchOppe, Sunday Evening,
Dec. 10th, 1894.

TEXT: Matt. %: SO. Thou shalt love thy
cial condition. Plato's Republic expressed the
tendency of social thought in Greece; Cicero's
Commonwealth in Rome; More's Utopia in Eng
land.
The many impracticable schemes of recent
date, will help men to judge of the better way.
The principles of Christ alone will produce per
feet social order.
Love to God inspires true fraternity.
Thou shalt" God Commands &C @ sine me- impossibi iiHi
ties We will simply define the terms of the
1st. What is the meaning of the term NEIGH
BOR? The man who lives next door, or with
whom you are in contact Jonathan Edwards
This takes in the Angels of light; it spans three
thousand miles of water, includes the other side
of the globe but it seems too large for practical
geous colors; it becomes IDEAL. The REAL spec
linen lives next door; love to HIM is the test of
our love to humanity.
Mans patriotism is shown by his public spirit
| in his own town. This is the practical teaching
| of Christ, Love thy neighbor.n
As shown in the parable of the good Samari-
| tan, this love knows no barriers of nation or
creed.
End. Meaning of the emotion "love.'' A dis
| tinction has been made between complacent love
| and benevolent love: the former approves of
character, the latter seeks the welfare of all men.
| This benevolent love is only possible when the
value of the soul is seen. Man is in Gods image,
| and bears spark of the life divine. In Emer-
sons Essay of the Over Soul, he tells of two men
who meet and say "good morning.; yet either
| is confident of divine mystery in the other, like
"Jove saluting Jove from behind each others
| back"
| Only this conception of human life, even in
the lowest, makes loye possible, Man finds in
Life about 1 what be- ne is Prepared to hnd. ind Love
| out the good in his neighbor.
3rd. Meaning of the term love, as thyself'
| It may mean the same kind of love. In that case
| it would imply the GOLDEN RULE. Be careful
of another's reputation. Be charitable in the
Judgment OF men; II your reflection lee n on % them be
| People want sensation, and the SANDER will
60 where your apology will never reach. "A:
thysef implies proportion of love. You have
| a right to care for yourself Let this be the
measure of your benevOlence.
4th. The relationship between selflove anC
benevolent love? On the one side, selflove I'M
PLIES beneyolence. Man must live in order tt
work for others.
By the law of heredity, we transmit the result
of our care for self to future generations. Prop
er self-love raises the tide of human life pro
duces buoyancy of spirit, and sheds its pur'
The English Philosopher, Herbert Spencer
says, The American cannot take vacation
and his nervous rush Of life makes him grow
gray ten years younger than the Englishman.
There is anotheF her. side to the the question: Benev
ure becomes satiated, and loses power to enjo!
life, which power is at its highest pitch in hin
who lives for Others, Sympathy appropriate
the JOY of other people. He who lives for tn
worlds good goes down to his grave with tn
benediction of grateful people on his head
Than this recognition of benevolent service
earth brings no greater satisfaction.
"Abou Ben Adhan-may his tribe increase
} Awoke one night from his dream of peace,
And saw in the moonlight of his room,
Making it rich like lilly in bloom,
! An Angel writing in a book of gold.
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adham bold
And to the presence in the room
He said, What wouldst thou?"
The vision raised its head,
And with a voice made of all sweet accord,
Answered, !" The names of those who love tn
, Lord"
"And is mine one?' said Abou.
may, not so,' replied the Angel.
Abou spoke more low, but cheerly still, an
said,
81 pray thee, then, write me asFone who love
his fellow-men.'
The Angel wrote and vanished.
Next night it came again, with great avail
ening light,
To show the names whom love of God ha
blessed,
And 10 Ben Adhan's name led all the rest"