The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-02-13
Outline of Sermon Preached by Rev
w. G. SchOppe, Sunday Morning,
Feb. 10, 1895.

OuCHnG Oh sermon I.FcaCIleu ny ASCN'
w. G. SchOppe, Sunday Morning,
Feb. 10, 1895.
SUBJECT-"The Pre-eminence of Christian
Charity"
TEXT Peter. 4: 8. "Above all things,
have fervent charity among yourselves; for
charity shall cover multitude of sns.''
Christianity is from above. This is shown
by the unity of different writer's. The char
acteristic of John was tenderness; of Paul,
intellectual power. He speaks much of gifts
and personal liberty. Of Peter, the charac-
teristic was courage. He talks of martyr
doms. Each of these exalts charity highest,
in connection with his own special charac-
teristic. This shows their Gospel to be from
one living source-from HIM who is the
highest pattern of Charity.
1st. What is Charity?
IT is A DESIRE TO GIVE, not GET. Only
relief for the deepest in life is sacrifice. The
Divine nature is a perpetual giving. Jesus
commended the woman who poured out the
costly ointment. She received the Divine
blessing because she "loved much" He
never cries "hold" until the utmost limit of
human sacrifice is reached. Here is a true
meeting point between the human and Di-
vine.
1T IS, further DESIRE to BLESS-to MAKE
CHARITY FELT, IN ITS BENEFIT TO OTHERS.
Jesus blessed the BODIES of men; but
ABOVE ALL, gave Himself for man S redemp-
ton. The highest charity is to produce
goodness. Make earth paradise of comfort
by mechanical invention; but far above this
is the kingdom of LOVE. Paul says, "What
is our joy and crown of rejoicing: Are not
even ye in the day of the Lord?" His con-
| verts to Christ we're the highest evidence of
his charity.
This love is "FERvENT," as the text de-
clares A feeble sentiment wishes we'll, till
| tempted to wish i'll. Then it is vINDICTIvE.
Christ's law is, Love your enemies"
One says =" Christian love is not the
dream of a Philosopher, sitting in his study,
benevolently wishing the world were better.
Injure one of these beaming sons of good
nature, and he bears malice, deep, unrelent
ing-refusing to forgive. But give US the
man who, refusing to retire to some small,
select society, where his own opinion should
be reflected, can mix with men, where his
sympathies are unmet, his tastes Jared, his
views traversed; and still be just and gen.
tie and forbearing." THIS is "fervent char
ity." Further This charity may be cuIti-
waited. The inspiration is breath from
without, not a struggle from within. 1t may
be cultivated by DOING ACTS THAT LOVE DE-
MANDs. Sacrifice will pass into affection !;
where you have spent a treasure, there will
the interest be. 1t may be cultivated by
CONTEMPLATING GODS LOVE.
One who is known to love will not be hated.
Believe in the Divine love, and it is easy
to be tolerant and generous lose sight of
it, and wrongs are magnifed, injuries not
forgiven.
Let all drift like sea-weed on the ocean !;
SO long as man reposes on the assurance of
the Eternal Truthfulness and love, the sPIR-
IT cannot drift.
End. WHAT CHARITY DOES.
1t cures sin. Love refuses to contemplate
what hatred delights to see. 1t refuses to
| recognize small faults. Life is crossed by
| rudeness and temper daily. If an apology
is required, life will be too short. The sci
ence of social life is that gliding contact that
| avoids men s angularities, and finds the points
held in common. 1t is often wise not to see
what cannot be cured. That microscopic
distnctness, in which all faults appear to
captious men, who are forever dissecting all
| characters but their own, disappears III the
calm gaze of love. We need the graceful
tact and Christian art, to bear and forbear.'
Peter denied Christ in the hour of his
greatest need. A SMALL SOUL would have
said, 81 will never forget that.' CHRIST
said, Lowest thou me2 Feed my sheep.''
Again Charity makes allowance for the
soul of good in evil. One man will see only
the evil; another will ask WHY one came to
do the wrong. Love has affinity with the
good, under any form. 1t understands by
sympathy. Its allowance is not from weak
sentiment, that calls wrong right, but heav-
enly chaIity that sees the root of good Paul
considered himself the chief of sinners, yet
he says, al obtained mercy because did it
IGNoRANTLY." Christ prayed for his enc
mics, saying, "They know not what they dc. !"
The charitable are not the most lax, but
the opposite. David's pitiless opposition to
the imaginary character drawn by Nathan,
was not evidence of his own superior virtue,
for Nathan said, "Thou art the man."
The same is shown by the Pharisees, who
demanded that the woman be stoned, when
Christ said, "Let him that is without sin,
cast the first stone"
Men must be free from evil, in proportion
as they would judge with the charity OF
Christ. g He was tempted like as we are,
yet WITHOUT SIM" wherefore He is a
merciful High Priest"
Love can even tolerate the intolerance
| of other men. Below this lack of charity
there may be zeal for God. What a won
derful prayer did Stephen offer for those
who condemned him =" Lay uot this sin TO
their charge" THIS is the Christian spirit
Wherever 1t is practiced it is sure of final
victory. Our weakness is lack of love- Earth
has no spectacle more glorious and fair than
love refusing to see errors that it cannot
cure-love searching for the extenuating
cause that led to sin, that it may win the Of
fender-love, covering with its vail even the
lack of charity.
"Above all things, have fervent charity
among yourselves, for charity shall cover a
multitude of SINS -