Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-01-27
SERMONS OF THE DAY.
RELIGIOUS TOPICS DISCUSSED BY
PROMINENT AMERICAN MINISTER'S.

PROMINENT AMERICAN MINISTER'S.
Look at the Good Side Of Life"-sixth Ser
mon in the New York Heraid's Com
petitive Series, Written by Rev. John
ID. Long, of Babylon, Long Island:
TEXT: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever
things are true, whatsoever Things arehon-
est. whatsoever things are just, whatso-
ever things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are Of good re-
port: II there be any virtue, and II there be
any praise, think on these things. Phillip
plans, iv., 8. @
In other words, keep your eye open to
the good that is in the world and, as far as
possible, close 1t to the evil.
David said in his haste, "Al men are
liars" but he acknowledged that 1t was q
hasty conclusion, and so, presumably, not
strictly correct. You, in similar spirit Oh
impatience, may sometimes be tempted 10
voice the same opinion. But don't. For.
in spite of lies, white and black, polite lies.
business lies and malicious lies-lies that
seem to worm themselves into every cir
cumstance of life-the world in general
hates the lie and loves the truth. This is
why you cannot insult man more deeply
than to give him the lie The insult Is due
to the fact that public opinion demands
the truth. Look, then, on this side Of life,
instead of allowing your mind to dwell on
what is false.
No doubt there is much dishonesty in the
world-dishonesty from the milkman who
waters his milk to the railroad magnate
who waters his stock. Your calico won't
wash, your sugar contains glucose and your
pepper SawduSt. But never mind, after all
people in general are honest and at heart
believe that "honesty is the best policy"
in the main they must act upon that belief,
otherwise the wheels OF business would
stop tomorrow. Think, then, on this bet
.er aspect of human life.
Some say that things are very unfair in
his world-that, for example, the man
who steals loaf of bread goes to jail
while the man who steals a million OF
money at worst goes to Congress. There
doubtless some truth in this view. And
yet there is Just God, and though some
lines He may seem little slow, His grist
ustice. Remember always that in the
ong run, anyway even in this world, right
makes might. Think on this, and don't
ct the fact that many conditions seem un
wen and unfair sour your spirit.
Again, there are those who look for dirt
md find plenty Of it. Human life is by no
means immaculate, it is true, but none the
ess the world is full of the purity of in
iocent childhood, glorious womanhood
nd noble manhood. Look upon this side
life-the side that lies out in the sun
ght of Gods approval. The pessimist
hinks that everything is imperfect. He
xamines the blade Of grass and finds It
iulty. 1t is sure to be split or crushed or
5unted or otherwise malformed. He al
rays discovers the worm in the heart OF
he rose or the thorn on the stem. Don't
in his company. See, rather, the lowell
ess SC, Tered over the world with such n
wish hand. Why, as someone has shown
5, even the wayside mud puddle, if
iewed at the proper angle, is thing of
eauty, and mirrors the sky and reflects in
bosom the clouds of heaven.
Then why give heed to ill report, either?
orget the bad that you hear of your fell
VS. and remember the good There is
-eat need of this advice. We are all
tile too fond of evil reports. The daily
apers, which really only print what the
ublic demands, show this. What is the
emu of our breakfast paper? In large
easure plate of violence and robbery, a
sh of filth and bowl of blood. "Give
)g a bad name and that's the end of him.
ust 50. Well, refuse to think on i'll report
ld you will not repeat it. If you wish to
Zip God and goodness think and speak
ings of good report
Yes, if there be any virtue, and if there
any praise, think on these things, and
III will be better and happier Life is very
ich as you view it. As the proverb goes,
The jaundiced see all things yellow
he gamin says, "Oh, it's all in your eye."
I'd so it is. Look on the right side of life
d not on the wrong side. Life, no doubt,
Us seamy Side, but be charitable. Don't
ink on this side. A painting has face
ID a back. All the pictures in your par
:, venture to say, are hung with the
&c out. Hang your pictures so in the
rlor of your mind. Look for what is
cd In the lives of your fellow men and
u will be happy. No doubt this is a
rid of sin and misery, and the back
ound of human life is full of shadows.
t look at the brightness and seek for the
iuty and goodness in Gods world. Jesus
rist was able to see something worth
ing in the publican and the harlot.
iulate His example and you will find the
ne result.
Then there is another side to this sub
t. II you try to see only the good side
life you will help to make the world rs
u see it. Mark and mention the good in
nr fellow man and he will seek to rise to
full measure OF your esteem. He will
stimulated to deserve your good opinion.
We faith in man and you will help to
Ike him faithful.
When a man does a good deed-say
I'd act-notice it, speak Of it, and he will
it again.
BY following the advice given in the text
l will promote your own happiness and,
at is equally important, you will do
nething toward making the world bet
JOHN DIETRICH LONG,
stor Presbyterian Church, Babylon, L. I.