The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-01
THE VOICE OF THE PULPIT
TIE ONLY rENsE IN WHICH Sell
FIsHNEss CAN BE JUSTIFIED.
Rev. G. t. smith, ID. ID, of Garfield
Park Christian Church, Chicago, ON
"LooI<ing Out for Number One"

True. there is a seifishEess that Is wrong,
but there is selfishness that is right. All
men are selfish. 1t is unavoidable. We are
built that way. Naturally, every one seeks
TO enjoy life The Scriptures do not forbid
II. The Bible commands us TO rejoice,
urges Us TO strive after our own happiness,
our own gain. as wei as that Of others.
Their is higher as well as lower form
OF selhsEness. The word temperance
means self-controI. It is a duty towards
ones self. IL is wise and Scriptural. as
well as inevitable, to look out for Number
One
But there are wrong methods Of doing
this. In the first place, we should look out
for all OF him. Take deep look. Every
man is two men. He is flesh and spirit.
These often have duel He who looks out
for the flesh alone takes a very superficial
view. The deepest. purest most enduring
joys are those OF the spirit.
Felix did not know that. Though a gov
ernor. r Gould not govern himself. hence
could no1 enjoy himself. Living sensually
Is not wise. l. is sowing the sure seeds
OF disease. poverty and sorrow. He who
lives temporarily receives the most pleas
ure even from the animal life from the
flesh in which we are imbedded. In the
exuberant spirits of good health there is
far more real enjoyment than in riotous
and exhaustive dissipation.
Loo.t out for Number One: look at the
true proportion, let all OF him be in har-
aony. the body subordinate TO reason and
all to health and to self-control.
Next take long look. Death Is gate,
not tomb Number One passes on. He
has tens of thousands of years before him.
A man does not fairly look out for Number
One who looks out for merely u few years
sojourn in this tent.
In the egg the wings of the lark are
formed, prophesying another and different
life for the prisoner; so feel within our
selves that higher and better life awaits
us; that We are capable of grander things
than this earth can give. We are citizens
not alone of this world. Eternal riches
and joys are our birthright. We shall lose
all IL we do not look out for Number One
and his possessions in eternity. Many a I'll
tie has been lost through neglect. Has
everything been done?" asked a client
anxiously OF his lawyer on the eve
of a trial for all of his estate. So your soul
asks you as you come to face another
world; Has everything been done?"
In saying it is right to be selfish, we do
not mean blind, narrow animal selfish
but selishness OF the higher nature one
which puts reason and conscience on the
throne views self in the true proportions
and embraces both worlds in it's outlook
and provision.
Under these conditions it will be found
that looking out for Number One is in no
conflict with looking out for Number Two
and Number Three. and that IL is the path
way TO the highest enjoyment.
About Number Two:
No man can pay the debt he owes to
society Whatever contributions he can
make are possible only through civilization.
He profits by 5000 years of mistakes and
achievements. He owes all re has. and
much that he Is, 10 others Paul reasoned
not only of temperance, but of righteous
ness-that is, right doing. 1t means ones
duty towards his neighbor. In this case it
was justice That was a duty owed by the
Judge to the one tried. In the network
OF relations everyone owes something to
others. Parent or child, brother or sister.
husband or wife, you ought TO look out
for Number Two. Someone cared for you
I'm your infancy; others win wipe the death
damp from your brow. Courtesy, kindness,
help, you have freely received freely give.
Lift another's burden when you can, cheer
the discouraged and lessen the misery and
hardships Of this life which press so heavily
upon those less able to stand them than
yourself
First of all be righteous. What him
ders me from using this ticket again.
said man when the conductor had failed
to take il up. Common honesty was the
reply. IL Is wrong to steal even from a
railroad company. even though it may
shave no soul" That Is not your affair
-you have .. soul.
How is this that you have your horses
and carriage? j thought you went through
bankruptcy" so 1 did" answered the
bankrupt but my horses and carriage
went around" There is no money made in
that way. A man vino cheats his creditors
loses self-resDect and sacrifices manhood
He is a sneak and cannot fearlessly face
the world saying. II owe no man anything
but good will" The Good Samaritan is
our pattern. Nebraska sending corn TO the
perishipg farmers of Russia is the modern
Samaritan. The South furnishing food to
the starving in Nebraska is where we ex-
pect no return: do good even TO those who
desspitefully use US. To love all men. TO do
tsNm good as We have opportunity. hoping
for nothing again: this should be our aim
this our duty toward Number Two I'm
seIfishness. this" you say? Nay. selfishness
Ours is the greater gain. Try IL and see.
Paul reasoned OF judgment 10 come. Then
Felix trembled. Man must reason with his
creator In looking out for Number One
he should not forget this. lie owes duty
to Number Three. That is God
The duties expressed by the words ITEM
perance" righteousness comprise moral.
lily. A higher duty. peculiarly due TO God
Is worship. We are not TO worship man
nor self. nor any other creature" only
God alone. Him we are 10 worship in spirit
and in truth. In truth. not in myth mol
superstition. but according TO His word
In spirit that is. with the heart and sou
engaged. The deep desire for "a better life
the tremulous lip. the uplifted eye. these
even these, are prayers and worship which
God loves.
en-. eternity and God are in your mind anC
life: these are thoughts which exalt ant
purify the heart make life blessed now
and prepare you for the company of tn,
tnnmortals.
Paul reasoned" Christianity bears rea
soning. 1t is a reasonable service" Thi
looking out for the whole man, and 70
time and eternity cultivates the whole ma
ture and secures the best results. Remem
Der Number One is an integer.
To every duty thus inculcated there +
attached special blessing. To the mar
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