Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-10-04
A FINE LECTURE
Upon the Topic "Grumblers and Grunt-
ers" by Rev. ". Robbins.
AT THE BAUTIST CHURCH LAST
EVENING-WAS OF THE OPIN-
ION THAT FINDING FAULT
WITH EVERYTHING is A SIN.
SOME PLEASING ILLU6TRA-
TIQNS

Rev. G.. R. Robbins. D. D., of Cincin-
c~innati, Ohio, delivered a very inter-
esting lecture upon the subject "Grum-
bles and Grunts'' at the First Baptist
church last evening for the benefit OF
the church fund. Dr.. Robbins is a sue
cessful and popular pastor, having been
in charge of the Lincoln Park lnstltu-
tionial church for over ten years. His
remarks were thoroughly appreciated
by those present, ana in part were as
follows:
What can be done to stop the grunt-
ing and grumbling that mars the
happiness Of many a man? 1t is
exceedingly unfortunate that the
number OF these characters is so ex-
ceedingly large. Grunters and grum-
blers may be found present upon var
ious occasions, at weddings, at uner-
ais and in the church. This constant
grumbling and grunting is not only a
disease but a sin. The preacher cannot
complain without complaining against
his Maker. Complaining will always
bring punishment. The mind that is
disconnected is constantly singing it
self.
Let me say with emphasis that If
these grunters and grumblers do not
cease their granting and grumbing,
this SHINING, that they will have cause
to regret it. This we should bear In
mind when we are about to criticize
some one. The connection between the
body and mind is most intimate and
mysterious. One acts upon the other.
When this body of ours is out of re-
pair the soul is certainly affected. This
habit of finding fault with everything
developes to an amazing extent in an
amazingly short time. Nothing in this
world is perfect and knowing this we
should be careful lest we be lead into
a snare, for how easy is 1t for us to
turn sweetness into bitterness, good
into evil and brightness into darkness.
Grunting and grumbling hurts no n
so much as self. Those people | have
noticed are always talking of their bad
feelings.
Those who grumble most have the
least reason for doing so. How strange
it is that this kind of people like to
attend funerals and take long walks
through graveyards and write poetry.
1t is this class of people that accom-
plishes very little in this world. II
we are addicted to %grunting and grum-
bling we ought to stop it. If you have
Z spepsia you can do more to effect a
e than any physician can. What
we must have to accomplish this is a
strong will. Look on the bright side
of life and that will help you. If wo-
men would throw away their parasols
and wells and walk on the sunny side
of the street, there would no doubt be
hard times among the physicians. Wo-
men, why do you wear wells? Why
do you know that if the women of
America would cease to purchase wells
there would be enough money to fill
the treasures of every church and
missionary SOC 1ty of every denomina-
ton.
I'VE should not be pessimistic. We
should think that whatever is, is best.
1t is best to think that no matter how
serious the situation it might have been
worse. 1t may be we'll to know that
when we cannot see through our troub-
les we may look over them. At this
time there never was less reason for
g%rumbling, for this is the best cen
fury, this the best country; this, the
best decade"
Rev. Robbins then stated many rea-
sons for thinking that the present time
offered little cause for discomfort
dwelling especially upon the growth of
the population and freedom of the
world during the nineteenth century.
Reference was also made to the many
free institutions of learning and growth
of morality throughout the country.
Continuing, he said: Mark the
growth of morality. If there is anyone
who l would like to see in Jail, it is
the preacher who attempts to criticize
the word of God. Is it not marvellous
what the church of Christ is doing to-
day? 1t is true this is an age of ration
alism, skepticism and various other
kinds of 'isms' and while l know that
the church of Christ is not numeri-
cally as large as it might be, l feel con-
fident that through the darkest cloud
there is a silver lining"
The minister r%ecounted a number of
witty incidents to more fully illustrate
the theme