Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-06-01

SJk%W that profession OF
CEGASfN Y doctrine and OBJ
NzoN St/sy" servance of outward
S.10 forns can stand for
practical religion. Practice, not profess
sion. is the test of acceptance. In plain
good sense the grand thoughts of the
Sermon on the Mount are beautifully IL
Illustrated and forcibly applied. The style
is earnest the language terse and elo-
quent, and the imagery splendid. Dean
Howson says, There is more imagery
drawn from natural phenomena in this
one short epistle than in all Paufs epis-
ties put together" Our lesson deals with
sins of the tongue, showing how serious
~ they violate the law of love, lightly as
the world regards them. 1t is therefore
commentary or Matt. ). %.
Lesson Hymn
And must L be TO Judgment brought, and
answer in that day
For every vain and idle thought, and
every word ] say?
How careful, then. ought to live, with
what religious fear!
Who such a strict account must give for
my behavior here.
Thou awful Judge OF quick and dead,
the watchful power bestow;
So shall L TO my ways take heed-to all
speak or do.
Charles Wesley.
The full text of the lesson includes
James ll1:1-13, as follows: l My brethren.
be not many masters, knowing that We
shall receive the greater condemnation.
For in many things we offend ALL IL
any man offend not in word, the same Is
perfect man, and able also TO bride
the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits
in tho horses mouths that they may
obey us; and we turn about their whole
hSd 4 nin.,l1 arS ,hA Shi "
though they be so great, and are driven
of fierce winds, yet are they turned
about with very small helm, whitherso-
ever the governor liSteth. Even so the
tongue is q little member, and boasteth
great things. Behold, how great matter
little fire kindleth! And the tongue Is
a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue
among our members. that it defileth the
whole body, and setteth on fire the course
of nature: and it is set fire OF hell.
Z For every kind of beasts, and of birds.
and of serpents, and of things in the
sea, is tanned, and hath been tanned of
mankind. But the tongue can no man
tame: IL is an unruly evil, fun OF deadly
poison. Herewith bless we God, even
the Father; and Herewith curse we men.
which are made after the similitude of
God. 10 Out of the same mouth pro-
ceedeth blessing and cursing My brethren.
these things ought not so to be. IL Doth
a fountain send forth at the same place
sweet water and bitter? u Can the fig
tree, my brethren, bear olive berries
either a vine, figs? so can no fountain
both yield salt water and fresh. 1S Who
is a wise man and endued with knowl-
edge among you? let him show out of a
good convers; q on his works with meek
ness of wisdo,..
We find in this lesson n strong state
ment of the dangers of the tongue. 1 The
first danger lies in its accountability to
God. BE not many teachers" Verse
/. Revised Version. Those who aspire to
teach and lead others are held to
judgment from on high more severe than
that of other men. How great the re-
sponsbility of those who by false teach
ing lead others to error! See Matt. IS. g.
2. There is danger in the tongue be-
cause it's use is test of character. Verse
2. By the tongue the character Is re-
Yealed. The ancients took the owl as an
emblem of wisdom, because it looks wise
and keeps its mouth shut. The utter
ance of our lips shows the measure of our
self-control. He who can rule his tongue
can govern himself. 3 The tongue has
dangers because of its influence. 1t is
like the rein to the horse, the rudder to
the ship. a little member but one that
has power; and power and peril are az
ways close together. Steam, gunpowdes.
have danger. The orators tongue has
set nation aflame: an emperors tongue
can let loose u million musketS: a SLAM
derer's tongue can make trouble for
whole town: false teachers tongue can
divide a church. on the other hand. what
power for good there may be in wise.
pure, well-ordered tongue! There is
danger in the tongue because its reform
alton is difficult. Verses Z, s. Wild beasts
can be tanned, but who can change an
evil tongue? The swearer says, "You
must excuse me, j can't help swearing"
The passionate man says. II can't con-
troll my temper" Those are tongues like
Mazeppa's steed, whose rider was tied
helpless on his back. Yet what man can
not do. God can. He can curb the tongue
and transform IL from evil to good. The
conversion of the tongue is the strongest
evidence of Christianity. There Is dan
ger in the tongue because of it's contra
detions. Verses ., II. Who ever heard
of fountain pouring out both sweet and
bitter water? of u tree that yields two
kinds of fruit? Yet just that paradox We
see in the utterances of the tongue. 1t
needs TO be harmonious, truthful, gentle,
wise. q The tongue has dangers. but it's
dangers may be avoided ii underneath 1t
Is u heart of wisdom and love. And such
a heart lie who made man can impart to
man.