The Indianapolis journal., 1896-07-05

honest and good human heart that makes
possible the rest. by giving room in its
steadfastness and patience for a growth
which no other heart can compass. and a
cheerfulness which must remain 10 other
hearts forever a mystery.
To come back TO Jesus word of warning
10 His disciples. it is not that which is
above. but that which is beneath the sur
face OF the world the society. the daily
business. the religious institutions. into
which you live that determines your final
discomfort and bitterness OF spirit, or your
lasting cheerfulness and peace of heart.
But there Is another side to Jesus
thought Of the honest and good heart-how
we may receive and use what is given
1 think here. TOO. we are apt to be
over anxious for fixed outward showing.
and not careful enough OF inward re-
sources. IF could be sure of a certain
large income" says one man. then / could
indeed begin 10 live happily" If I could
attain 10 certain degree of knowledge"
thinks another. have a university train
ing. then my happiness would be com
plete." ''If i could once get over my re-
Iisious uncertainties cries another, be
sure that everything was settled for good
and all. then I should be satisfied even TO
be poor and ignorant" But God does not
mean that we should be satisfied either
with poverty and ignorance, or with wealth
and knowledge or even with a religious
faith which we can confine in fixed limits.
and when we are so satisfied, il is because
we have ceased 10 grow; and when we
have ceased TO grow it is because we are
living out shallow nature; and any insti-
tuition OF society. or of education, of re-
ligion. which encourages shallowness in the
individual man or woman it influences,
works against civilization; which. being in
terpreted. means. against the purpose of
God in the soul of man.
The one question which I believe each
one OF us needs 10 put 10 himself is not
regarding what he has gained. but how he
has grown. The JOY OF development from
within far surDasses the joy OF accretion
from without. On the other hand 10 feel
that you have stopped growing, that you
are no better. or wiser. or stronger than
you have been, that you have no wider re-
sources OF experience. or knowledge, no
deeper sympathies. no fairer work. no bet
ter word. no hrmer strength. TO offer year
by year-that Is the worst fate. The secret
bitterness. which comes with this drying
UP of the spring of growth. no outward
comfort, no outward glory can ever make
sweet.
But growth, at least. is within the reach
Of ALL for ii is matter of the honest and
good heart" No man shall say he can not
be honest. and he can not be good. He
may say only that he will not. But if he
will. he can; and every step in honesty and
goodness is growth. and growth means
cheerfulness. Be honest, be sincere face
the facts. and, every now and then, as you
face them. they change and broaden be-
fore your eyes. and you are changed and
enriched with them. 1t is only when you
are insincere with yourself. dishonest at
the hidden foundation of your character
which can be affected by your dishonesty
alone. 1t is only then that you strike at
the roots of growth. of cheerfulness.
Be gocdi That is, not be fawless or
sanctimonious. or sentimental, but mean
well toward the world in which you live
and there will be constantly larger oppor-
tunities for putting your meaning into prac-
tice. and that is growth. Whereas. mean
evil, and whatever may seem TO happen
outwardly-within. the only activity must
rise from the cramping fear OF discovery
the constantly narrowing ingenuity of es-
cape. the inevitably whitening life
THE good and honest heart" ah that is
heaven on earth. and it may take the best
- eH ~ioAS Win " ucdNcn Ut llS
harvests are not reaped once only in some
far-ofi future; but again and again. all
elong the way of years. there comes to
perfect fruitage some word spoken. some
action done. not for praise or with any
thought of reward. but simply naturally.
without strain or effort: and in that heart
alone bloom the stainless hours of grateful
memory and of glorious hope when God
giveth the increase"
Copyright 1886. by the Newspaper Sermon
AsSociation.)