Evening journal., 1899-12-18
GOOD ADVICE To
YOUNG WOMEN
Given by Rev. Francis B. Short
at EpwOrth NJ. f, Church
Last Night.
DoRCAs AS THEIR MODEL

~ ~ ~ =
THE ENERGETIC YOUNG PREACH
Err URGES YOUNG WOMEN TO
BE, NEXT TO RELIGIOUS, IN
DUsTRIoUs-HIs SERMON IN
FULL.
This is the sermon to young women
preached by Rev. Francis Burgette
Short at Epworth NJ. E. Church last
night: Acts, tx, SO: This woman was
full of good work and almsdeeds which
she did"
On a we'll rounded elevation over
looking the Mediterranean sea stood
the once ancient city of Joppa. 1t orig
inally belonged to the Philistines, but
under David became a part OF Israel.
Full Of historic interest is this city
Joppa, or Jaffa as 1t is now called. II
was to this city that the cedars OF
Lebanon were RATED from Tyre for the
building Of SOlomon's Temple. Here
Peter saw the vision which removed
his preiudices against the Gentiles, and
enabled him TO understand that God
hath no respect Of persons, but that he
saveth all who righteously call upon
Him. In this city there lived the beau
tiful character Dorcas, who was full
of good works and almsdeeds which
she did" This was the greatest bless
ing that ever enjoyed-the life of this
good woman; and the greatest benedic-
tion that God ever gave to earth, Csaye
his own Son. is a good woman. She
IS the salvation of the home, and by
the blessing OF heaven shall become
the most direct means by which the
city, the state, the nation, and the
world shall be lifted from their filth
ness and sin and laid as a polished
gem at the feet of him who came to
seek and to save that which was lost.
Thank God for every good woman
whose noble life is not only an inspira-
ton to man but is likewise his saliva
tlon. What was it that made Dorcas
beautiful? To my mind she possessed
the two necessary elements Of great
ness and beauty: Character and in
dustry.
1. Character. Her very name signified
both beauty of face and of form, but
these were not the source OF her char
dlLtIs hui LOuuldlu VI LtL UEAuLos A4AC
.Gssisnnss unsee Gi I2er D1nes tan 1 the visible.
Thus is it always with nobility. Char
acter is not the result of our relation .
ship to eternal conditions and things,
so much as il is the result Of our re-
lationship to God. A beautiful face,
a costly gown, large bank account
none OF these, nor all of them COM
bined in one person, are a guarantee
OF character. Character cannot be put
on, since it comes from within. And
every day we sit in the loom of time
weaving this web. Every thought and
deed are so many stripes, each one
trust becoming more and more nearly
like the great Ideal.
What was it that made the character
of Dorcas beautiful? This all you young
people should be eager to know, Sc
that by following her example. it may
one day be said of them as it is written
Of Dorcas. full of good works"
Dorcas was a Christian, and this is
the real ground OF her beautiful life
and character. There is no other life
so beautiful as the Christian woman'i
life; neither is any other life so potent
for good. The young women Of Will
mington, by the grace of God, within
one year could close the doors OF every
house OF shame, convert every saloof
into place of honest merchandise. ant
cause the dove of peace to build hel
nest in homes where the harpies o.
sorrow now raise their young
Religion is the reservoir Of the nigh
est Joy OF earth; and she who joins her
self to Christ, fulfilling her heaven
intended mission in the world. ha
struck the keynote Of the anthem.
happy life, and when her obseQuie
shall be held the choir with tear-we
cheeks, and sorrowful hearts will SIM
Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep.
From whence none ever.wake to weep,
while the minister shall slowly an
truthfully read--"This woman was ful
of good works and almsdeeds whic
she did" Young woman-I beseech yo
join yourself to Jesus Christ, and you
character shall become as beautiful a
was the character of Dorcas. dc no
ask you to become sanctimoniOus an
funereal. ] do not ask you to read notf
ing save the Bible (though you cannc
read it too much) OF sing nothing ca
cept hymns and psalms, (though ther
is nothing more elevating) do not as
you to be sixty years old in actor
while yet in your teens or twentie
but having an interest in both you
present and your future, and wishin
for you the best that time can affor
or heaven can bestow, l sincerely as
you to choose the best, and become liz
Dorcas-a woman full of good wOrl
and almsdeeds."
So with your heart right, take Il
second step which is beautifully illu
trated in the life of Dorcas.
2. Industry We may disagree as
her beauty Of face and form, but v
cannot differ relative to her lndust'
and goodness. Sne was full of gos
works, and this is better than beau
or wealth, or both. She toiled wi
her own hands for others, and she WI
thus works for others is no less &
dustrious in the matter relating
home and self.
The life of Dorcas furnishes q tr
example OF pure religion-visiting {
fatherless and widows and keepi
unspotted from the world.
What happiness came into ma