Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-01-13
SERMONS OF THE DAY.
RELIGIOUS TOPICS DISCUSSED BY
PROMINENT AMERICAN MINISTER'S.

RELIGIOUS TOPICS DISCUSSED BY
PROMINENT AMERICAN MINISTER'S.
sThe Golden Rule" fs the Title of the
Third of the New York Herald's Conn
petitive Sermons-Preached by Rev.
Charles s. vedder, of Charleston, 8. G.
TEXT: "Let us consider one another
Hebrews x, "a.
Here is the Golden Rule, expressed in the
terms of familiar speech and practical ac-
tion-the way in which the command to do
unto others as we would that others should
do unto us may b0 made effectually opera
tive. Here is the sursum corda of ali dis
content with the inequality of human con-
ditions; the proclamation Of peace in oil
strife of human opinions; the solution of
the problem OF capital and labor; the con-
dition OF harmony in all human relations.
The two noble brothers OF the Hebrew ira
dition, secretly sharing the sheaves OF their
barley harvest with each other to make up
what each conceived that the other lacked
Of the elements of happiness, exemplified
it. Sir Philip sydney did no more when,
wounded to the death, he gave the draught
of water hardly obtained for his own con-
suming thirst to stricken private soldier
saying, "Thy necessity is greater than
mine"
The words Of the text were spoken by one
Of the great teachers of the world to those
who had associated themselves for worship
and work, and whom he would fain incte
to the highest and purest and kindliest life.
Let us consider one another" We would
better receive the full meaning of the ap-
peal should we use the similar, familiar
and expressive word "considerate'-"Let
us be considerate OF one another"
Among the potential agencies of the
world are those which are directly ad-
dressed IN the text and those akin to them
In spirit and purpose-organizatio which
seek to promote human welfare, whether
they be called churches, charities or by
whatever name else. In all of these there
are possibilities of difference and division
which will defeat or retard their useful
ness and value. II we would know how
these possibilities may be met and over
come we need but conceive of one Of these
instrumentalities for good in which each
member is "considerate" of every other.
Then we should see the strong bearing
with the inflrmities of the weak; the weak
not stumbled with the larger liberty of the
strong; the rich sympathizing with the
manifold trials of the poor; the poor con-
siderate of the crowding cares and calls of
the rich and jealous that both may be
poorer in spirit and richer in the graces of
character. We shoald see the old mindful
of the enthusiasm of their own youth and,
remembering its errors, gently guiding and
tempering-Bot frowning upon and re-
buking-the ardor of the younger; the
young would be seen sitting ut the feet of
the old to learn and rising from them to do,
not rejecting the counsels of the hoary
head as fossil theories of buried genera
ton, but acknowledging that "days should
speak and the multitude of years teach
wisdom" If with increase of age infirmity
had come, its very decrepitude would be
honored as the wound of an earlier war
fare. Parents would be then not forgetful
that theywere once children; children that
duty to parents is duty to God and that
they one day may need a parents immuni-
ties. We should see the wise gentle to the
ignorance OF the ignorant and patient to
instruct it; the unlearned ii need be, toll
Grant of the irritability of incessant thought
and exacting study and eager to share the
fruit OF such toll, and all esteeming it
more blessed to give than to receive for
bearance and eXtenuation.
Had any "fallen." all would think how
adapted was the temptation to the weak
ness it conquered, and how improbable, if
thus beset, that any would have remained
stcajfast. Repentance before God would
give the offence to Oblivion in the sight of
men, save to kindle deeper sympathy for
the frailty that had yielded. There would
be the constant summoning OF that charity
which "seeketh not her own, thinketh no
evil, hopeth all things, endureth all
things"
If reproof seemed duty, the fact would
not be overlooked that
Some hearts there are SO perilously fash
ioned
Gods touch alone hath tenderness enough
To waken, and not break, the thrilling
strings.
"Let US be considerate of one another''
How benignant law this for social inter-
course! How happy would be the COM
munity in which it reigned! We learn very
early in this life that the secret OF peaceful
IyNtnn I;,,;.r, &c r,,,t
tion of the differences between us and
others and full allowance Of the right to
differ. In different ages and climes differ
ent definitions have obtained as to what
constitutes refinement" There is one
element in which all ages and chimes agree
true good breeding is that which is con-
siderate of the feelings of others, OF what
ever class or condition.
Why is it that sometimes even the sacred
circle OF home Is darkened with the cloud
Of painful differences, but that some with
in 1t lack thoughtfulness of the feelings
and even the failings of others? Rigid in
their own ways, they are intolerant of the
different ways of others. Why is it that in
the same circles of society variances
come, which grow to settled alterations
but that in some thoughless moment n
word, look or act has wounded the sensi-
bilities of another, or even sighted his
prejudices, and when regret came some
retaliatory word forbade acknowledge
ment?
Employer and employed! Are they al
ways to be at odds? Yes, until each ''con-
siders" the other and not himself alone.
What is there which would Danish from
the intercourse and rivalries of business
the personal antagonism which is often en-
gendered, like tearing down the ghastly
legend from the marts of trade, every
man for himself,' and writing there in
stead the kindly motto, LET us be CON
siderate of one another?'
Still, still in mutual sufferance lies
The secret of true living;
Love scarce is love that never knows
The sweetness of forgivng!
REV. CHARLES s. VEDDER, D. D.,
pacfor Hnpuapot Chprch Char1pcfon