The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-07-30
PREACHED ON DOING GOOD.
Rev. DIR. Fairs Morning Sermon mt
the Independent Church.

AZ the Independent Presbyterian Church
yesterday morning, Rev. DR.. Fair preach
ed upon the subject of Doing Good"
The text was Hebrews, 1916: But 10 do
good and 10 communicate forget not; for
with such sacrifice God is well pleased"
In his Introductory remarks ne said
the century now Fastening TO it's close is
the grandest in the history of the world,
it's sunset the most glorious, though some
dark clouds, Hinged with crimson hues Of
blood, linger TO mar its beauty. But,
like the closing of a stormy day, it pre-
figures even brighter and more illus
trious day to dawn.
"If the question were asked, What is
the crowning glory of the age?' different
answers would perhaps be given. Some
would point to its scientific advancement,
others 10 it's military achievements; not
few would dwell upon its inventions and
the comforts that have been added to life.
But while fully approaching all these.
yet we may venture to advance the claim
that the noblest distinction of the age is
to be found in its philanthropic spirit and
practical charities; not in discovering
new stars, weighing them and assigning
their place in the cosmic system but In
discovering the true value of man. esti-
mating his real worth, efevating him to
his proper place in creation; not in ex-
ploring unknown continents, but in ex-
ploring the wide, dreary wastes OF human
sorrow; not in applying steam and cleo
tricity as motive power; but in awaken
ing the subtler and more useful currents
of sympathy, arousing It's latent energy,
directing 1t in channels of helpfulness,
in going down into the slums, lifting
up the fallen, building hospitals for
the sick, homes for the orphan,
the aged and poor-this is the noblest
distinction of the age, the brightest jewel
in its CROWN
Dr. Fair claimed this practical philan-
thropy was largely, If not entirely, the
effect of Christianity. The spirit of true
religion is to do good, to communicate not
simply of money, but of sympathy and
brotherly kindness. This was the spirit
OF the Founder Of Christianity, who went
about doing good.
The essence of religion Is love to God
and love to man, and its one great object
Is TO make the world holier and happier
and brighter. DR.. Fair urged upon his
hearers to catch this high and disinter-
ested ideal, and to be willing to pass I'M
der the law of self-sacrifice for others.
He said many people go to theater or
read a novel, their sympathies are touch
ed by a fictitious tragedy. perhaps a tear
is started, but they do not think of the
real tragedies that are being enacted
around them every day. The world is
full, not of the woes of the mimic stage,
but the woes of real life, and the disciple
of Christ should address himself to the
practical helf of those, who are dis
couraged and crushed down beneath the
weight of their burden. The effect of
this would be not only to ameliorate the
condition of the world, but also TO make
the Christian himself happier and to set
the bells of heaven to ringing in his
heart.
AS an offertory, Mrs. Wickenberg sang:
The Lord Is Ny Shepherd" and her fine
voice was scarcely ever heard to better
effect.
Dr.. Fair will preach two more Sundays
before leaving on his vacation.
The Ladies' Foreign Missionary Socic-
ty of the Independent Church is making
up special purse to send 20 Rev. w. II.
Hudson, their missionary in China. At
the latest accounts Mr.. Hudson and his
family were safe, but in the recent up
heavals he might be in pecuniary straits,
and the ladies wish 10 send him a token
of their kindly remembrance and appre-
citation of his fortitude.