Birmingham age-herald., 1895-09-23
South Highlands Presbyterian Church.

S
 South Highlands Presbyterian Church.
 Rev John Barbour preached on "Flies in the Ointment" from Fec. X, 1. He said This figure drawn from the oriental apothecary reminds us that the most ex- cellent character may fail of it's proper influence because of some act of folly, some little thing inconsistent with the general nature of the man. Many a Christian has lost standing by reason of a careless or unpleasant manner Now this is not a trivialty. It is no sign of intellectual superiority to disregard those lesser things. Lord Chesterfields S advice upon manners Is sometimes spoken of very lightly; and certainly some of his maxims are of the world worldly, though we often forget how vastly the moral sense of the world has advanced in 100 years. But he was one of the most considerable figures of his day; one of the four men who discerned the oHcoming of the French revolution. It is more pertinent. however, to remark that the great and strong men and wom- en of the scriptures had these graceful traits. Abraham was man of superb address; David was gentleman and so was Paul. He has transcribed the very spirit of fine breeding in his great chapter on love. Men will not believe very much in our love for them if they see us brusque and indifferent towards them in our every day life.
 Closely connected with this may be an ever-weening self-importance. How ab- surd for preachers or people to profess humility and self-denial when everybody can see us actuated by the reverse traits. If is like 8. fly in the ointment. The will- fitness of one or two people can some times defeat all the operations and plans of a church.
 Many most excellent people are chronic grumblers How blessed to think that there is land where these souls will be at rest-the music, the preaching, the management just what it ought to be-
 A flash of temper will sometimes de- stroy the testimony of life time Even Moses, the greatest of men, was shut out of Canaan at last by his nasty temper and his impatience with Gods people. How devoutly we should pray for self control,
 I have not the heart to enlarge upon the jealousies, the unforgiveness. the un- reasonableness, sensitiveness, the little deceits that can finger in a good mans life. They make havoc of his influence.
 Then, did you know that pious people can sometimes be absolutely penurious? They can pray and sing, and their integ- rlty is not questioned, but they do not bear their share of the church's obliga- tions. or do it so grudgingly that we quit going to them, or take turn about in our approaches. As one has said They give not according to their means, but accord ing to their meanness."
 The fly sometimes gets into our bus mess affairs. What influence can a lazy Christian or an untidy housekeeper ex- pect to have? And Christian people who owe honest debts and nevertheless hold on to luxuries they cannot righteously afford-their religion is a stench in the nostrilS of the town.
 And then how much churches and com- munities have to suffer from f1ppant and irresponsible takers. Oh, this chat ter, chatter chatter, about things not to be talked about-Some of it oyerstep- ping the modesty of nature. How it let's down the dignity of Christian people who do it, and destroys the good that may be in them in the eyes of others. Discre- tion-how many discreet people do you know?
 Now let us remember:
 1. That there is such a thing as Chris tian character. It is like the precious ointment; all the things that are to be de- sired cannot be compared to it. Be care ful that your character be composed aright
 2. It must be favored alright. Its infiu- ence cannot be stayed 1t goes forth like perfume; let 1t go forth unsavored by thoughtless peculiarities or inconsistent traits. It is our duty to commend our selves to others. This is celestial diam eters apart from currying favor or re-n signing your principles to others You are Christian; that is, a Christ man one annonted for service; your very name should be as ointment poured forth.
 3. Let us treasure up and guard our, Christian standing like ointment in it's alabaster vase. Perpetual watchfulness is the price of purity. e
 Like Abraham of old I have stood here this morning to drive the pests away from our sacrifice; but it is better that there be screens upon every door and window of the heart-the screens of good habits and carefulness and prayer and occupation in Christs service.
 These pests alight upon us all. How