The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-03-06

ANOtuiuS Uub hluuHSSS anu pdGleuco
will accomplish the desired results.
You gain the victory over the brute
forces, over the brute nature, by the
acts of kindness.
When Elisha fed the captive Syri-
ans, and then sent them home, it was
the greatest act of his life; and when
we consider the age in which it was
done, it is more marvellous still. He
entrapped a division Of the Syrian
army which had been sent to capture
him, and led them to the king OF
Israel, who said, MY father, shall l
smite them?" Then Elisha, inspired
with a great mercy and kindness
said, Thou shalt not smite them;
wouldst thou smite those whom thou
hast taken captive with thy sword
and with thy bow? Set bread and
water before them, that they may eat
and drink, and go to their MASTER"
1t was done; he sent them away;
land the bands of Syria came no
more into the land of Israel" The
greatest victory Elisha ever won!
Holy Writ contains, no sublimer
picture, except Jesus dying words,
Father, forgive themw which made
him victor over life and death.
But this scene has been repeated
in our age and country. Near the
close Of terrible war, the contend
ing armies met for the final struggle.
Brother against brother; each fight
ing for what he thought was right.
The struggle ended. The vanquished
marched between ranks Of conquer
ors and laid down their arms. Lee
had surrendered to Grant, the war
was over, and Appomattox was his
torical.
But now comes the bravest and
best act of all. take your horses"
said Grant, "and your private prop
erty, and return to your homes; and
you will need these in the cultiva-
ton of the soil, and the revival of
business" This last supreme act of
conquering nation and victorious
general was the greatest victory
gained in those four years of car
mage. 1t did more than all else to
heal the freshly made aad gaping
wound-a wound which has been
healing all these years since these
stirring times, because of the broth
erly kindness and sympathy dis
played. That last act at Appomat
tox was the grand finale of the battle
hymn of the war; it was the climax
of the drama. 1t made defeat less
harsh, humiliation less severe. "Vic-
tory" then could be inscribed upon
the banner which floats over ga land
of the free and the home of the
brave!"
The plea that is in my heart; the
plea that feel called of God to make
to you this morning, and which l do
not wish you to forget; plea which
every minister. ah, every lover of
humanity, of home, of happiness,
should make; plea which should
be the substance of our prayers and
the purpose of our lives; the plea
which l know will meet with a re-
sponsive chord in your breast, is, be
kinder than you are. Each morn
ing's petition should be,
''Let me be kind in word and deed,
Just for today
Let me be slow to do my will
Prompt to obey;
Help me to sacrifice myself,
Just for today;
Let me no wrong or idle word
Unthinking say
Be kinder in your business rela
tions. One does not have to be
harsh in order to be just, nor unkind
to be honest. Harshness and hard
ness are not necessary in order to be
successful in the business world.
We cannot outstrip competitor,
convince juror, cure patient, con-
vert sinner, obtain more work from
an employee, or have less exacting
employer because we are harsh, I'M
kind, unsympathetic, cold. Think
of your own business transactions
and ask if this is not true. Call to
mind the man who is honored and
loved by his business associates, and
it is the one whose business life is
serene, who conquered himself, and
who gained the victory over others
by his kindness and gentleness.
The stern and bitter acts are justi
fed by the oft repeated, business is
business" Yes, but Samuel John
son never uttered more beautiful
thing than where he said, "Getting
money is not all a mans business;
to cultivate kindness is a valuable
part of the business of life" The
golden rule is business; the Sermon
on the Mount is business; mercy,