The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1900-01-04
Sermon Preached at First Baptist Church
Sunday Morning November 90, 1899,
BY Request Of swannanoa Lodge,
No, Sc, l. o. 0. ,.
Published by Request,
"Am l my brothers keeperP"

"Am my brothers keeper"
This question was asked by tho first
in the history of our race. In
a fit of anger and jealousy Cain had
slain his brother Abel, aud when ques-
toned by Jehovah as to the where
abouts Of his brother replied in the
language OF our text. Cain means by
this question that it was no concern Of
his as to where his brother was. 'Itis
enough for me to look after myself My
brothers condition and welfare Nre no
matters of mine: whether he is sick or
well, rich or poor, dead or aliye is of
no Importance to me-"
This question was born in the nntur
al selfshness of the human soul. God
created man in His own image and like
ness, yet with the power of choice be-
tween good and evil. There is there
fore a perpetual conflict between good
and evil in the soul of man, a warfare
between selfshness and unselhshness,
love and Indifference, service to others
and cynicism, sacrifice and self-inter
est. That strange story of DR., Jekyl
and Mr.. Hyde, in which the two ma
lures, the one a hAter Of mankind and
murderer and the other helper and
lover of mankind, are represented as in
constant conflict ending in the exter-
nnnation of the one and the triumph of
the other, is true to human nature aud
to history,
Dickens in his Tale of Two Cities
represents French nobleman driving
in his magnificent carriage through the
streets of Paris, driving recklessly and
furiously through the narrow streets,
careless and indifferent to the men,
women and children who find it impos-
sible to escape injury, and in his mad
and murderous indifference to the peo-
pie he plunges through the crowd
knocking them down, bruising, maim-
ing and killing, and in his heart ask
ing the same question as was asked by
Gain, "Am my brothers keeper" 1t
makes no difference to me; you must
take care of yourselves or suffer the
consequences. l am not RESPONSE
BILE for your misfortunes. You must
keep out of my way.
Tho story of the marquis plunging
through the multitudes of people in
the streets of Paris is picture of the
mad and murderous plunge of selfish
ness and indifference to the needs and
wants and sufferings of the race thro'
the ages of the past. He is selfishness
personified. Cain was O murderer, but
the man who fails to help his brother
when the way is open, and suffers fell
low creature to live in poverty and mis-
cry when it is within his power to allie
viate the distress and refuses to open
his heart of compassion is no less a
murderer than was Cain " no slew his
brother in cold blood.
Gam I my brothers keeper?" What
is the answer to this momentous ques-
tion. Yes, I am my brothers. keeper.
This is precisely what am. This is
my sole duty to my fellow creatures.
For this end was / created, What is
the supreme aim and end of lifei
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, with all thy strength
and thy neighbor as thyself." " Upon
these two commandments hang oil the
law and the prophets. The history Of
| Gods revelation and dealings with mer
through all the ages has been an an.
swer to this question. When Goo
chose Abraham He said; 81 will make
Of the great nation and thou shalt be
blessing" This was Gods purpose
in calling Abraham that he might be G
blessing to his fellowmen. This was
his purpose in choosing the Jewish no
tion that it might be missionary ma
tion to all the world. This same trutl
was echoed, expounded and empha
sized by the prophets. 1t found it,
elimination in the teaching Of Jesus
Christ. Here the song of the angels al
they announce the birth of the world
Savior. "Behold l bring you goo(
tidings of great Joy which shall be t.
all people. Glory to God in the high
est, peace Oh earth, good will towar(
men,"
"Who is my neighbor?" said tie law
yer. This question was asked in th'
same spirit and prompted by the SAM
motive as actuated Cain in his ques
ton. Our Savior said a certain mai
went down from Jerusalem to Jeric,
and fell among thieves, who robbed
him and wounded him and left him ol
the highway to perish. A priest an
Levite both passed by and left him t.
die, but Samaritan came to his res
cue and saved his life. Who is you
neighbor? A CERTAIN MAN, man nea
you, man. who needs you, ma
whom you have it in your power t
help. In that great prayer whic
breathes the very cry of the race Jesu
says when We pray say "Our Father.
KEEP 1T IN YOUR HOME,