The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-07
THE SALT OF THE EARTH.
Prof. Burton Interprets the Saying of
Jesus Christ.


Prof Ernest D. Burton, of Chicago Uni
versity, preached at the First Baptist
Church yesterday morning and evening. His
topic for the morning service was: 'Ye
Are the Salt of the Earth Miss Edith
Castle, of Terre Haute, gave a solo, THE
Publican" Mr.. Burtons text was from
Matthew V, 10: ''Ye are the salt of the
earth, but if the salt have lost its SAVIOR
wherewith shall it be sailed? 1t is thence
forth good for nothing but to be cast out
and trodden under foot" In the course of
his sermon Mr.. Burton said:
I'm usuing the word salt to describe the
office of his disciples in the world Jesus
evidently has in mind it's preventative, anti
septic power. In land where ice was al
most unknown and in an age in which
chemical antiseptics had never been
dreamed of salt was the only article by
which food could be prevented from decay
ing. BY these words. therefore, Jesus lays
a great responsibility upon his disciples
the responsibility of preserving human So
ciety from moral putrefaction and decay:
To this he adds also solemn warning, II
the salt lose its SAVIOR, wherewith shall it
be sailed? 1t is thencefOrth good for moth
ing but to be cast out and trodden under
foot OF men, The ancient salt of commerce
and household use. not being pure, but
mixed with other ingredients, did some
times lose all its real sadness, while stun
retaining the appearance of salt. On this
o>-NN'
name or an outward appearance or good
character are not only useless, but worse
they render one fit only for rejection ana
contempt.
This teaching of Jesus implies three
propositions. First, the only force that can
save human society from moral corruption
and decay is the presence and influence of
good men and good women. Men gener-
ally are inclined to think that commercial
prosperity is the basis of the well being of
the nation or community. Others put their
faith in culture and education and others
still in religious institutions. Jesus held
none of these opinions. The men TO whom
he said we are the salt of the earth repre-
sented neither the financial resources nor
the culture and education, nor the religious
institutions of Palestine. They were simple
men who had received his message of moral
truth and were slowly learning to live
their lives in accordance with ii. Jesus laid
upon men, men of character, the respon-
sibility of saving the world from corruo-
ton, and the history of the world has
justified him. Financial enterprises, in
tellectual culture and even religious in
situations have fiourished while society de-
Perforated and grew corrupt. But pure
lives have been the elevating and purifying
influence that have saved society
THE only force that makes men and wom-
en- influential for good is that of character.
We are prone to believe that there is a
power for good in mere profession; or az
least in an outwardly respectable life. But
Jesus declares that these things, il they ex-
list, without the very root of the matter in
us, only make us fit to be despised and re-
jected. 1t is fortunate that in this matter
the world agrees with Jesus. 1t is quick TO
detect sham and pretense-rottenness of
heart is sure to be discovered sooner or
later-and TO visit upon it its scorn and
contempt Salt. not it's name or it's appear
ance; character. not profession or the pre-
tense OF IL, saves society.
'''rhe men and women of character must
be brought into contact with the world that
is to be saved. The divine method of saving
is by the incarnation Of the divine Jesus
mingled with the sinners He came to save.
The church has often forgotten this lesson.
The medieval monk. TO save his own soul
Withdrew TO his cell and left the world "a
it's own corruption. Too often the modern
saint, to save his own comfort builds his
home at safe distance from the world