The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-12-20
Rev. Wick Says a Con-
sistent Christian Can Be
Successful as a Bust
ness Man.,
SEVERAL DoUBTERS FOUND
Episcopal Church Army Work
Services in other Churches
Throughout the City.

WAYNE Street Reformed Church, last
evening continued his series of sermons
on '.Why men do not attend church. Last
nights sermon was upon this question:,
which he submitted to nan leading men
Of, the city some weeks ago.
"Do you think that in view of our pres
ent methods of business a man can be a
conscientious Christian and at the same
time succeed N busiE@ss?"
The sermon was based on the answers
received. Mr.. Wick's tex was as fol-
lows :-''Godliness is profitable unto all
things, having promise of the life thai
now is and of that which is come
1.-THE question of which 1 shall speak to-
night" said Mr.. Wick. was answers by
more thar one hundred men. The re-
plies Indicate that they are not all OF one
mind. Some merely doubt that a man
can be a conscientious Christian and a
business mai at the same time. Others
say positively that it is impossible for a
man to observe the spirit of the Gospel
in his business and be successful. Still
others are quite as positive that a mar
can be a Christian and successful in his
worldly business at the same time.
The doubtful ones number about a
dozen. A doctor among them avs, IT
is very difficult, if not absolutely impos-
sible, in accordance with the strict Scrip
ture rules, but conscience is a very elastic
article
"4An engineer says:-I think that under
the present method of business it is very
difficult for a man to be successful, and
to be a conscientious Christian
.sThose who have no doubt about the
matter also numbe about a dozen.
"A druggist say No, no, no.. An edu-
eator:-I hardly think so. Strict honesty
in business ought to mean success, but
there is too much competition in business
by dishonest men and methods. A con-
scientious Christian would, | fear, be I'M
IA lawyer says:-No. Difficult at all
~times-quite impossible under present con-
ditions.
ne say No; the conscientious Christian
man of today is the Sheriff's softest
mark
at is not much to be wondered at that
there are men today who doubt the posi-
bility of a man being a conscientious
Christian and at the same time a SUCCESS
full man, and that other men should be
found. intelligent and honest, who deny it
enlphatically.
Herbert Spencer's Survival of the Fit
test furnishes a graphic picture of the
situation as it exists today in the world OF
business. The big fish are swallowing
the little ones. Everywhere the weaker
are being crowded out or absorbed. Nine
ty-eight out of every hundred men who go
into business sooner or later make a fall
ure of it. Only the strongest survives.
1.-The struggle is made all the harder for
the honest tradesnlen by the dishonest
ones they have to compete with. 1t used
to be said that when a stranger came un-
der consideration in Boston the question
was:-'HoW much does he known In
Philadelphia, Who was his father?' In
New York, How much is he worth?' But
nowadays, no matter where the inquisl-
ton is made, the query is always the
same. How much is he WORTH 1t is the
bank account that rules.
9TH American people honor brain, they
esteem blood, but they love money. In the
estimation of the misguided multitude it
is the one omnipotent thing in the uni
verse. They seem to have adopted the
motto of Every Man in His Humor.' Get
money, get it honestly If you can, but get
it, They introduce his heresy in bust
ness. They practice the precept.
The honest man SO often suffers by their
dishonesty that it is not much wonder
that some are doubtful of a mans ability
to be a conscientious Christian and a
successful man of business, and that
others should deny the possibility of such
a thing altogether.
"But it is refreshing to find that the great
majority of those who answered this ques-
ton answered it in the affirmative. Sew
enty-five per cent. did so. Doctors, law
yers and ministers, teachers, brokers and
publishers answer it in this way.
M "A IdWyGI says IGS- Jul 1t i oil Iii
doubted fact that the present commercial
standard is very low. Any business man
of New York who is frank with you will
tell you that every man is out for the
stuff
An editor says:-'Most certainly. How
can business success be inconsistent with
a clear conscience, and VIA is Christian
ity but clearness of purposes?
"A doctor Says:-Yes, / know several
vino are conscientious Christians and sue
cessfuI business men A publisher very
well voices the emphatic protest of them
all against the idea that a man cannot be
a conscientious Christian and at the same
time a successful business man by say
ing:'Most emphatically l do. There never
was a time in which so much business
was lone on honor as now
"a school teacher says:-I do. l see
nothing in our present business methods
to prevent a conscientious Christian from
being successful. It is not necessary to
adopt wrong or doubtful methods to be
successful
"a merchant says:-Yes, seek first the
Kingdom of God and His Righteousness,
and all these things shall be added unto
YOU
These men speak out of their own e1-
perienee and thereby confirm the words of
the Apostle: Goodness is profitable "
The last sermon of the series will be de-
livered next Sunday night.