The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-12-18
RIGHT THINKING
A Sermon Preached by
Rev. John Shape,
December Is, 1901.

Text: "As he tliinketh 10 hit
heart so is he" Prov. 1871.
There are two opposite fuoda
mental errors in the world that
face US all today. One Of them is
couched 10 this expires essiou. 1T mat
ters not what man does 80 that
he thinks correctly" He may be
protligate. impure. Incorporate,
but IL he assents to the "doctrine" ("
he'is accepted as worthy. He will
be exeommunicated from the church
tor "heresy." but. retained for
adultery. His outward life is not
considered. "Does he know the
catechism." is the all sufficient
question. 1t he accepts the church
teaching. If lie assent to dictationa al
instruction, II lie attend mass, no
questions are asked. He may at
tend the theatre, the dance. the
saloon. if he only attends mass. If
he thinks correctly it matters not
what he does. This IS the Romish
error.
The other is opposite to it in
statement. but like it 10 pernIcious-
ness. 1t finds expression 10 such
s.nt Dents as ''lt matters not what
a mau thinks so that he lives cor =
rcctly." 1t lays great stress on
action, conduct, ethics, how to be.
have. To appear we'll is to those
who hold this error Of far more
value than TO be we'll, even ii the
appearance Of evil is not avoided
10 the attempt. This is the Protes-
tant error. being like the Romish
only 10 its untruthful sentiment.
aud its evil effects. How great are
both Of these errors, Why do men
forget that there cannot be correct
living without correct life, and
no correct Lille without hawless
basis 10 truth. When will we not
see that creeds and deeds are twins.
aud must not be separated, that
actions are but chrystalized
thoughts. the II ue exegesis OF char
actcr.
Suppose We define our terms be-
fore We begln the discussion. What
do VIC mean BY "lhought?" Even
in Scripture language the word is
not use1 with invaria BILE meaning.
It may mean formed dcsign or
purpose (Ps. sos; 33-ll.) An un-
pronounced judgment, from. 2-l5D
an opioion, Il Kings 1921; Job T.
So inward reasoning, Luke 9-46.
40 anxiety, Matt 1919; 6-25;) or
it may be synonym ior the whole
sinful life (Acts S-22. 1t is wei!
Tor lis to understand our own mean
ing as we proceed 10 discuss !his
important word ia its relation to
action, and its influence on life.
Action IS the exesesls Of thought.
tine exponent OF action. No man
can act opposite to his own nature.
The weak talk about acting before
is the merest nonsers..
Man thinks, therefore acts, aud
both bctray his character. tor "as
be thinketh so is he. =" Doctrine is
essential to spiritual life. Emotion
never saves soul. 1t is the truth
hat makes men free Aud then
only when that truth is known.
The best proof one may have of his
own salvation, is that God . word
says he is saved. He has put con-
idence 10 the word. and there can
De no more doubt about the saliva
ion of the man who does so, than
here could be about the character
If God.
Surely there is a value 10 right
linking as directed toward ones
laily life. Right thinking makes
/ beautiful soul. heard this criti-
ism passed upon homely woman.
she is not pretty. but oh, she has
| beautiful soul" And this could
'e declared because the soul shone
n noble action. Right thinking
makes beautiful face. Repulsive
'gliuess usually has back Of it an
lgly soul. Minds that revel in
Moral cesspools are sure to leave
llthy traces on the countenance,
While habitually to think good
ioughts ls Of more value in develop
ng beauty Of face, than artists 10.
ions. Right thinking increases in-
lueucc. for the man with a soul
viii be sure to be discovered. The
'urc in eheart shall see God, and ,,
nen aud God shall see them. They
annot be hid. Sincerity is not a
nask-hypocrisy is-and the man
incere. 10 the man influential. ,,
Right thinking develops power. 1t
nables a man to gather reserved
orce, and this is the proof OF man
ood. Reserved power is the test {
I power. Not what a man accom- {
lishcs-but his ability to accom- ,
iish more is his best recomme da. t
ou. Right thinking persisted In, c
Ill store up irresistible power. 1t
ill also correct habits FPS. 1889 t
nd contribute perfect peace Qsa. I
b-3) t
There are certain invaluable s
eips to right thinking that no one
an afford to despise. and we cau
My mention them, The books YOU
.ad. The emphasis ought to be Z
tro3g just here. We are Influenced
nd moulded by what we read. A v
oung girl 10 Philadelphia was lost {
} her parents. They knew not a
here to find her. In their couster- v
alton they employed a detective, a
ho gong to her home asked TO be II
,own 10 her room. He examined c
er wardrobe, found no clue. He o
sked to have a fast-!ocked trunk
roken open. 1t was done. Piece
iter piece Of wearing was taken
1t, until in the bottom OF the Il
unk, piled g inches deep he found I
rench novels OF the1 most sug. h
.stive sort. He has Iound bis "
ue, Tossing the novels back he