Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-04-13
SERMONS OF THE DAY
The Rev. George H. Hepwortl,'s Sunday
sermon in the New York Herald IL En-
titled, "rhinGs Not Worth while''-Dr.
Talinago Preacl,es on Unfair Conduct.

NOT w Oreh w nile ''-Drs
TninaGe PreacIies on Unfair Conduct.
TEXT: 'Thou hast sinned against thy
soul. H.. 10.
The object OF religion is to make life
sweet and satisfactory. When a man has
done the best he could under the circum-
stances lie has done all that God requires
OF him. Heaven Is not for those who be-
Heve things, but for those who do things.
Christ was working man in its largest and
most divine sense, while We are all working
men In small sense. He worked for
others, and was therefore divine; we work
for ourselves, and are therefore pitifully
human. His religion teaches US to become
part of the life of those who need our
help; our tendency is TO take from others
for our own ease and comfort, and to give
as little as possible. He emphasizes the
value OF the soul, gives it dignity and q
grandeur, the gait and bearing of a king.
our philosophy Of life minmizes spiritual
pleasures and magnifes what is sensuous.
1 never tire of the New Testament, be-
cause it is such desperately sensible book
and because it fatly contradicts the ideas
which worldly society puts into my head.
1t is always new, therefore, and almost al
ways startling. II the soul is what He tells
me IL Is, then must have large plan. II
am really little lower than the angels,
then l must cease to be childish, and the
small cares of life must not be allowed to
tease and fret me. In that case I should
it must busy Itself about great things and
keep in mind that petty things are not
worthy of attention.
For example, it is not worth while to be
impatient because what happens is not to
our liking. We are apt to make a hot re-
ply when an ill-natured remark Is made.
Somebody elsc's bad mood excites a bad
mood in us. We catch the disease instant
ly, and then there are two persons In a
bad mood instead OF one. Passion is heat
ed TO the exploding point, We give rein to
our tongue, and pitched battle of words
takes place. We loosen the bonds of a
friendship, we wound the heart Of affec-
tion, for what we say is a consuming fire.
1t we had perfect control of ourselves we
should not be powder to any ones torch. A
little patience, very difficult to attain, 1
admit, would Keep us from striking when
we are struck. 1t is noble to keep still,
and the rebuke of silence is like keen
sword. 1t is not worth our while, not worth
the souls while, to step down to a lower
level because some one addresses us from
that level. We should maintain our dig
nifty though others lose theirs.
Then, again, it is not becoming in a
princely soul to allow the habit of fault
finding to get possession OF it. 1t renders
one uncomfortable it units one for the en-
joyments which cross our path, it dulls the
edge OF happiness, it is like eating lemon
instead Of an orange. The man who finds
fauit With others seldom has time to find
fault with himself, which is his chief duty.
Instead Of being charitable he is
censorious. Not even the Lord can
please him, and il he ever gets to
heaven he will insist that things shall be
arranged to suit his personal taste. Fault
finding is simply self-conceit in subtle
disguise. Such man hints that the
universe is wrong, but that he can put it
right 1t is not worth while to peer at the
defects of others and to ignore their vir-
tues. 1t is better to look for good things,
TO
look long enough, than to look for bad
things aud then waste your time in
grumbling because they are bad. If God
were dethroned such a man would try to
take His place; but since God reigns 1t
would be well for the fault finder to retire
to the background and try to be thankful
for mercies received, rather than criticise
the Almighty for not giving him what he
thinks he ought to have.
Once more. it is not worth your while to
look on the dark side Of life, for thar de-
stroys your power OF resistance and endur-
ance. There is sometimes a hard side to
Gods providence, but never q dark side.
He does undoubtedly ask US to do some
strange things, and to go through some
strange experiences: but IL He goes with
US we are not only in good company but
are sure to derive some benefit from it all.
Strong characters are wrought by tears,
and Affections are stepping stones to
heaven il we view them from the right
stduupOlul anu put tuclu " tueit proper
use. Life is not all gadness, but sadness
is the hot fire in which the Toledo blade is
forged. We may not always know why we
suffer, for no explanation has ever been
given, but somehow or other the suffering
souls are always the noblest, provided they
suffer under the shadow of Gods sym
pathy. To be unconscious of His presence
makes life very heavy and laden, but to be
conscious of it is like catching glimpse of
the distant home when the weary traveller
Is ready to drop by the wayside.
Yes, a soul, an immortal soul, with
heaven and heavenly things all about, is
magnificent mystery. 1t must live up to
its destiny, and put under its feet the fears
and doubts which are so intrusive aud so
persistent. Think of yourself as Gods
child, to whom no real harm can possibly
come, and the clouds will part and your
depression will be lightened. There are
still stars overhead, and a blue sky. 1t
will be all right by and by. In the mean
time be patient, and, above all, keep your
faith bright and pure.
GEORGE n. HEPwoRTH.