Natchitoches populist., 1898-05-20
EMINENT DIVIEBS SERMONS
DISCOURSES BY TWO ABLE WOR
ERS IN GODS VINEYARD
The Rev. George H. Hepworth's Sunday
Sermon in the New York Herald is En-
titled, "Things Not Worth While"-Dr.

Sermon in the New York Herald is En-.
titled, "Things Not Worth While''-Dr.
Tal,nage breaches ON Unfair Conduct.
TEXT: "Thou hast sinned against thy
soul. ."-Habakkuk, H., 10.
The object OF religion Is to make life
sweet and satisfactory. When q man has
done the best he could under the circum-
stances he has done all that God requires
OF him. Heaven is not for those who be-
lieve 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 a
grandeur, the gait and bearing OF king.
our philosophy Of life minimizes spiritual
pleasures and magnifes what is sensuous.
never tire of the New Testament, be-
cause it is such desperately sensible BOOK
and because it fatty oontradicts 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 1t Is, then must haVea large plan. Ii
am really little lower than the angels,
then | must cease to be childish, and the
small cares Of life must not be allowed to
tease and fret me. In that case l should
look life in the face and say to my soul that
it must busy Itself about great things and
keep in mind that petty things are not
worthy of attention.
For example, 1t is not worth while to be
impatient because what happens is not to
our liking. We are apt to make Il hot re-
ply when an ill-natured remark Is made.
Somebody else's bad mood excites bad
mood in us. We catch the disease Instant
ly, and then there are two persons in q
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 o
friendship, we wound the heart Of affec-
tion, for what we say Is consuming fire.
II we had aperfect control Of ourselves we
should not be powder to any ones torch. A
little patience, very difficult to attain, [
admit, would keep us from striking when
we are struck. 1t is noble to keep still,
and the rebuke of silence is like q keen
sword. 1t is not worth our while, not worth
the SOULS while, to step down to 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
princely soul to allow the habit of fault
fndingto get possession OF 1t. 1t renders
one uncomfortable, it units one for the en-
ioyments which cross our path, it dulls the
edge eli happiness, 1t Is like eating lemon
instead OF an orange. The man who finds
fault 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 If he ever gets to
heaven he viii 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,
because you are sure to find them II you
look long enough, than to look for bad
things and then waste your time in
grumbling because they are bad. II 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, 1t is not worth your while to
look on the dark side of life, for that de-
stroys your power OF resistance and endur-
anee There is sometimes O hard side to
Gods providence, but never q dark side.
He does undoubtedly ask US to do some
OF Aeeo hi -
strange experiences: but If He goes with
us we are not only In good company but !
are sure to derive some benefit from 1t all. |
Strong characters are wrought by tears, !
and Affections are stepping stones to
heaven IL we view them from the right
standpoint and put them to their proper
use. Life is not all gladness, but sadness |
is the hot fire In which the Toledo blade is
forged. We may not always know why wa
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 1t is like catching glimpse of |
the distant home when the weary traveller |
lsready to drop by the wayslde.
Yes, a soul, an immortal soul, with !
heaven and heavenly things all about, is a !
mystery. 1t must live up to |
its destiny, and put under it's feet the fears
and doubts which are 50 intrusive and 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 q blue sky. 1t /
will be all right by and by In the mean
-. L. L
faith bright and pure.
GFoRGE n. HFpwoRTH.