The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-25
THOUGHT on THINGS HONEST.
Rev. ossOOd F. Cooks Sermon at
Grace Church

Rev. Osgood F. Cook, pastor of Grace
Methodist Church, preached an interest
ing sermon yesterday on Thoughts on
Things Honest" The congregation was
large and gave close attention to the prac-
teal thoughts offered in the sermon. The
text was from Philippians As, "Whatso-
ever things are honest; if there be any
virtue and if there be any praise think
on these things
1.-The Apostle urges thought-serious
consideration of high. holy, heavenly
things Rev. Cook said. I'VE
must think of virtuous and
praiseworthy objects, if We would have
virtuous and praiseworthy lives. The
text is rule of life as thoughts are char
aeter makers. AS the thoughts, so the
man. The icicle is formed by one drop Of
water at time. Ii the drops are muddy
and unclean the icicle VIII be foul and
impure; otherwise it will sparkle beauti-
fully in the sunlight. If the thought be
impure, the life viii be unclean but if
high and holy, the character will sparkle
with the beauties of holiness.
There is great need of a steady refusal
to yield to dishonest thought in this age
of swindle; when heartless corporations
and soulless syndicates take advantage:
when the body of commerce is afflicted
with the great sore of dishonesty; when
some of our representatives in Congress
have so great desire to re-
fuse the payment of an hon
est debt, of more than thirty
years standing, TO the Methodist Church;
when from fear of the success of these
leaders the managers of our business inter
ests send kilograms that are misleading
at least, very easily misinterpreted.
No matter what excuses may be made
or what circumstances one may plead, he
who does a dishonest deed is irreligious
He has fallen and failed and needs to re-
turn to the mourners' bench. A fair
square, Christian merchant may complain
that his religion interferes with his pros
perity. He sits in idleness a part of the
time whiting, while his neghbor across
the street secures the trade If ever this
is true, let him consider the price that is
paid by the dishonest competitor: mental
degradation, inward dishonor, a scared
conscience, a hardened heart. Let him
remember that God gives better reward
than this worlds goods for integrity and
high-mindedness; let him think that he
sees only the repetition of the rich fool S
folly, and that in an unthought of time
the solemn voice will be heard saying
Thou fool-this night thy soul shall be re-
quired of thee. The harvest of the great
est prosperity will not pay for the seed of
dishonesty in deceptive advertisements, in
cheating tricks Of trade, in lying to custo-
mers, and in expressing the employed We
must prefer honest thought and square
dealing together with clean hands, a pure
heart, and a clear conscience.
The word translated honest strictly
interpreted means noble or to be re-
vered.' So we must elevate our thought
from things low, futile, and frivolous TO
things real, true and eternal The life
without God in the thought, without a
mind for reverence, devotion, and an awful
sense Of eternity, is idle ignoble and con-
tempuble. Such a man will be wicked
and despicab le"