The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-08

world, and found deplorable state OF
social relations even worse than those OF
present, lie not only did not. In His
eagcrness to set forth q new teaching.
/ abolish the sanctity OF marriage, but He
announced the eternal principle that
adultery was sir committed in the
| heart. He told us that something lay
back of the ten commandments, to make
them true. For the ten commandento are
not an arbitrary measure like yard
stick which tho Legislature declares shall
be used. They are the expressions OF
holy life, of life that is eternal because
| Ii is pure. They do not see things right
or wrong; they tell what Is right and
wrong according TO eternal standard.
People burn powder at the time OF
national celebrations, and make 1t as
sumo airy and beautiful forms, which
take the place OF that dangerous explo-
sive. Thus the religion of Jesus Christ
has unfortunately been supposed by some
to be the spelt force Of the ten COM
mandments going off in smoke, and
charming the minds OF men by n display
of harmless spectacles of universal be-
nevolence. But the man who fools with
one OF the commandments Will still hnd
that IL is not blackened stick, but
distinctly lively fire-arm, with repeating
powers and a stunning recoil.
Take for instance, "Ihou shalt have no
other Gods before me-" The modern
heath who has outlived the command
ments sells himself, body and spirit, to
some unworthy pursuit or ambition, ali
unconscious that he is descending to the
level of the artificial and decay ing object
OF his reverence. A soul as deformed
and wretched results from passing py the
winning figure OF Jesus 10 baser shrtnes,
as resulted from the worship of. the gol-
den calf before the.new world was discov-
| cred. In each case a.calf is the result Of
| the evolution OF the worshipper, ty the
| afQ n hCCnmGS
| object of his worship.
IL certain methods OF speculation are
| not to be reached by the arm of the law,
and IL those who reap profits from such
methods enjoy their gains as though God
| were dead, the judgment Is still coming,
though 1t delay long.
In our business operations there is n
God as close TO the money drawer in our
worship there is a God near the pulpits.
An easy faith may find easy means OF
getting on in the world. Yet rise there
still the glorious figures OF unchanging
truth and justice, the ornaments and the
bulwarks OF Gods throne, and
In vain we cnll old notions fudge.
Aud bend our conscience TO our dealing,
Tho ten commandments will not bulge.
And stealing will continue stealing.
Christianity in the modern world Is not
intended as a substitute for the rigor of
ancient law. 1t is a fulfillment of that
law. 1t is the imposition upon us of
motive OF love and devotion powerful
enough TO make the keeping of law an
inward desire rather than an outward ne
cossity, according to the promise that the
days will come when commandments
shall be written on tables which are
hearts OF flesh. There Is no substitute yet
discovered for holy living. Jesus pro-
nounced the sermon on the mount, and
built Ii upon the easier law, made for the
use OF a binder generation, and he
intensified the obligation upon rs all to
give ourselves wholly to our brother. Ne
nave heard, said he, that it was said,
thou shalt not Kill, but / say unto you,
do not even become angry with your
brother, for that Is the germ OF MURDER.
II you wish to make new watch, that
will bear the best of long use, you choose
those stones as jewels which have resisted
| the attrition of unknown centuries, and
| you make those parts which must remain
uniform, OF metals which -aro least in
| fiuenced by the changes IL the weather.
| Thus also the mechanism OF the modern
| Christian Is only the edoption of the
| transparent stones of Gods truth, and
the even dimensions of His justice.
Now while truth is not absolutely new,
| II may be new TO as, and II may be new
| in it's relations TO modern conditions.
! 1t is then the most attractive, and exer-
| cises It's best influence. The truth en-
| larges beyond its former bounds. and
| finds need of wider application. New
| lives taking in old and tried revelations;
| new devotion to old and unchanged truth,
| these are all the marks of a sane, hopeful,
! righteous development.
| The truth is stored treasure, kept'
| often to make a man ort 5odox; put like
| other commodities, he has TO freeze 1t TO
| keep il. lie las 10 turn IL into cold
| theology. The living truth keeps NOV
| ing from man 20 man; it Is enterprising
and migratory; IL emanatcSin sympathy
| for men In the dark. Ii is not sufficient
| to have the truth. but il must be i'm
parted. We must bring II out from our
| treasure. Our faith must not be too pre-
cious To communicate, for ii is like
money that is kept, IL can do the owner
| no good, LESS IL Is circulatej or put out at
interest. No man can long be a diiligent
! pupil OF Jesus without beginning TO
| teach also. Here are we, supposed dis
| ciples of Jesus. We have been listening
! TO his words for these many years. DO
| we bring forth from hat treasure OF his
! Instruction things new and old? We ara
! disciples 10 the Kingdom OF heaven. That
| is, we are here TO study it's coming; to
believe In It,, TO work for 1t, and to hope
for II Ito see IL in every good deed, and