Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-03-22

Sheldonisrl: It's Lessons.

find here what their tastes call for
and their business demands. Men at
the table Of literature are very much
the same, they are at the table Of the
epicure-they eat what they like the
best whether good for them or not.
Sheldonism works for long range util'
ity, for correction Of taste, for that
which he believes will serve the best
and most lasting interests Of men
even in this world. 1t is an advo-
cate of this world religion as well as
other world religion. 1t dreams of
pure religion IN every day affairs, in
play and in work, in reading and in
meditation, in all the outgoing life.
1t wants to be leaven to leaven the
whole lump of humanity. 1t is a
question how it will succeed II il
come not into touch with two-thirds
of the lump. Church papers reach
only church people. Religious news.
papers are taken only by professedly
religious people. And il Christian
world-news paper is to reach the
Eworld it must have the world in it.
/ God has made man with ear and
eye to take in the world and he takes
it in, good and bad, and selects ac-
cording to his taste. Deny him that
liberty and he resents you. Come to
him in an attitude he does not like
and the leaven Of better life is ex-
cluded. The best things are without
comeliness to some. And the best
things in human life and literature
are not wanted by some.
r. aWhat would Jesus do" about itp
How would He proceed? What would
He write and PUBLISH To attempt
to show a world two.thirds Of which
does not accept Him as teacher is al.
most presumptuous undertaking.
We will take it as the germ Of a bet
ter hope, the DINNER foregleam Of a
brighter day. But we will not forget
that Jesus was the Goodman and we
are little dust-men, shining only by
reflection. The moon may show us
something of the sun, but for the
moon to play the role Of the sun so as
to attract attention to it might not
be highest wisdom. 1t is best for the
moon to keep its place and shine on
as the sun gives it power to shine
1t cannot show what the sun would
do in the moons place. The sur
keeps in his own place and it is best
fer the moon to keep in her own
place and each to shine on.
So with us and Christ. No one Of u.
can show what Jesus would do in our
place. 1t is for us to keep our place
in right relation to him and shine on
as He gives us power to shine. And
this is what Sheldonism at heart
means, though many are interpreting
it differently.
In conclusion, this new note of
Christianity sounded by Mr.. Sheldon
has found happy response in many
hearts. 1t has awakened much
thought and created much talk Not
all will be accomplished by it that it's
enthusiastic admirers hope for. But
it is sign of an onward movement
to better things in the worlds liter
ature--the newspaper. 1t is lift
upward. 1t is an honest attempt, a
yearning motion toward high ideal.
And ideals lead the worlds progress.
The men who chain themselves fast
to high ideals pull the world upward.
Neither do they despise the day Of
small things. Beginnings are difficult
but they begin and hold on. God
leads them. The best in the world
honors them. They are the aurora
Of the morning Of better, brighter
day. II. c. HAITHCox.