The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-08
DIR. G. e. BACON'S SERMON.
An Interesting Discourse at Roberts
Park Church.

At Roberts Park Church, yesterday, Rev.
c. E. Bacon preached from Genesis Kill.
~, taking for his topic: 1.-TWO Choices."
He said in part: Here are the results
of two choices-while we may approach
the great decisions of our lives without
much previous thought, we approach them
with a character that has had growing
in it either the selfish or the unselfsh quail
ity. The two men of this text were of the
same family. the same blood flowed in
their veins. They were congenial in many
things, yet how different their choices.
They both were recipients of divine favor.
Prosperity brought out the qualities in the
two men-in one it awakened greater self
ishness. in the other increased thankful
ness to God-one it drove out into great
moral risks and losses. the other in more
restful confidence in Gods faithfulness.
Lot pitched his tent toward his fine world
ly prospects, but Abram went out of the
sight of Lots fiattering prospects but in
better sight Of Gods promises.
"Abram chose peace instead of strife.
He chose it because of their relationship
We be brethren The herdsmens strife
was like the cattle they herded. 1t was
more physical than moral. There was
higher element when ii came to Abram and
Lot. They were blood kin. There is more
obligation TO peace in a family. There is
higher obligation TO peace within church.
He chose IL because it was sad to weak
EN- each other in the presence of their
enemies These higher motives should enter
into the choice of peace in the home, in
the church and in the community.
"Abram chose unselfshly. He said the
whole land is before thee if thou wilt go
to the right I will take the left, If thou
wilt take the left, then 1 will go to the
right He saw there was no necessity for
strife. The whole land is before thee. There
Is always room enough for differences in
Gods land. There is room enough in
Christianity for different denominations and
room enough in every church for differ
ence OF view. Let US not strive. we be
brethren. strife is often unnecessary. Have
not my lawyer auditors examined into the
useless elements in the strife brought to
them for legal processes? There is little
excuse for quarrels in reason, none in
brotherly love nor divine government.
Abrams choice was magnanimous. His
age. his position as head of the family
and his favors from God should have
caused the younger and dependent man
to come to him with the favorable propo-
sitions. He did not stop with his rights.
If people thought as much OF their duties
as of their rights IL would be an ennobler
of character. In settling difficulties people
say, I'll go half way, and feel that they
are generous. Abram went more than half
way. Would this world ever have been
reconciled to God if Christ had only come
half way to save us?
"Abram chose TO accept Providence in
place of financial advantage. The question
of pasture was a very important one.
Abram acted by faith in God. The ques-
tion of smaller wages, or even work
at all. and a clear conscience are set over
against higher wages and a compromise
with sin Many problems of Sabbath work
and communicating relations face our
young men and older ones. There are
places for heros. as of old and even OF
martyrs TO the faith. There Abrams