Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-07-26
GOSPEL OF CONTENT.
REV. DR.. TALMAGE ON THE RELIGION
FOR ORDINARY PEOPLE.

He Asks Attention to the Rank and File
Rather Than to the Few-The Disad-
vAntages Of Being Conspicuous - Tho
Blessing of Content.
New YORK, July 21.-Rev. DR.. Tai
mage, who is still absent on his annual
midsummer tour, preaching and lectur-
ing, has prepared for today sermon on
"Plain People" topic which will ap-
peal to a very large majority Of readers
anywhere The text selected was Ro-
mans xvi, IA, Is, Salute Asyncritus,
Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes,
Philologus and Julia. "
Matthew Henry, Albert Barnes, Adam
Clark, Thomas Scott and all the COM
mentators pass by these verses without
any especial remark The other 20 peo-
pie mentioned in the chapter were dis
tinguished for something and were
therefore discussed by the illustrious ex-
positors, but nothing is said about Asyn-
critus, Phlegon. Hermas, Patrobas,
Hermes, Philologus and Julia. Where
were they born7 No one knows. Where
did they die? There is no record Of
their decease. For what were they dis
tinguishedl Absolutely for nothing or
the trait Of character would have been
brought out by the apostle. If they had
been very intrepid or opulent or hir-
suite or musical Of cadence or Grass Of
style or in anywise anomalous, that
feature would have been caught by the
apostolic camera. But they were good
people, because Paul sent to them his
high Christian regards. They were or
dinary people, moving in ordinary
sphere, attending to ordinary duty and
meeting ordinary responsibilities.
What the world wants is religion
for ordinary people. If there be in the
United States 60, 900, 900 people, there
are certainly not more than 1000, 900
extraordinary, and then there are 64,-
900, 900 ordinary, and we do well to
turn our backs for little while upon
the distinguished and conspicuous peo-
pie Of the Bible and consider in our text
the seven ordinary. We spend too much
Of our time in twisting garlands for re-
markables and building thrones for mag
mates and sculpturing warriors and
apotheosizing philanthropists. The rank
and file Of the Lord S soldiery need es-
pecial help.
The vast majority Of people to whom
this sermon comes will never lead an
army, will never write a state constitu-
tion, will never electrify a senate, will
never mako an important invention,
will never introduce new philosophy,
will never decide the fate Of nation.
You do not expect to; you do not want
to. You will not be a Moses to lead a
nation out Of bondage. You will not be
Joshua to prolong the daylight until
you can shut five kings in cavern. You
will not be a ST. John to unroll an
apocalypse. You will not be Paul to
preside over an apostolic college. You
will not be a Mary to mother Christ.
You will moro probably be Asyncritus
or Phlegon or Hermas or Parobas or
Hermes or Philologus or Julia
Heads Of Households.
Many Of you are women at the head
of households. This morning you launch
cd the family for Sabbath observance.
Your brain decided the apparel, and
your Judgment was final on all ques-
tions Of personal attire. Every morning
you plan for the day. The culinary de-
partment Of your household is in your
dominion. You decide all questions OF
diet. All the sanitary regulations OF
vour house are under your supervision.
To regulate the food, and the apparel,
and the habits and decide the thousand
ouestions Of home life is tax upon
your brain and nerve and general health
absolutely appalling if there be no dl-
vine alleviation.
1t does not help you much to be told
that Elizabeth Fry did wonderful things
mid the criminals Of Newgate. 1t does
not help you much to be told that Mrs
Judson was very brave among the Bor-
nesian cannibals. 1t does not help you
much 10 be told that Florence Nightin-
gale was very kind to the wounded in
the Crimea. It would be better for me
to tell you that the divine friend OF
Mary and Martha is your friend, and
that he sees all the annoyances and dis
appointments and abrasions and e1as-
nerations of an ordinary housekeeper
from morn till night, and from the nrst
day of the year to the last day OF the
year and at your call he is ready with
help and reinforcement.
They who provide the food OF the
world decide the health OF the world
Ono of the greatest battles Of this cen
tury was lost because the commander
that morning had fit Of indigestion:
You have only to go on some errand
amid the taverns and the hotels OF the
United States and Great Britain TO ap-
preoiate tho fact that vast multitude
Of the human race are slaughtered by
incompetent cookery. Though young
woman may have taken lessons in music
and may have taken lessons IN paint
ing and lessons In astronomy, she Is not
we'll educated unless she has taken les
sons in dough. They who decide the ap-
narel Of the world and the food OF the
world decide the endurance OF the
world. ..
An unthinking man may consider IL
n matter of little importance tho cares
of the household and the economies OF
domestic life-but l tell you the earth
IL strswn with tho martyrs OF Kitchen
and nursery. The health shattered "om,
anhood of America cries out for Goo
who can help ordinary women IN tns
ordinary duties Of housekeeping The
wearing, grinding, unappreciated wors
goes on. but the same Christ who stood
on the bank Of Galilee in the early
morning and kindled the fire and hac
the fish already cleaned and broiint
when the sportsmen stepped ashore
chilled and hungry, will help ever
woman to prepare breakfast, whether
nv her own hand or the hand on hei
hired help.
The God who made indestructibl'
eulory of Hannah. who made a Goa
for Samuel, her son, and carried II :
the temple every year, will help ever.
woman in preparing the family ward
robe. The God who opens tho Bible wit
| - - Ahraha,,,fa c,ffartainnan