Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1901-01-31
4 pRtNCELY pAupER,
And q Pauperly Prince. At
the First Methodist Epis-
copal Church.

IA0 EITSt meLDO0lSC Epl8.
copal Church.
The pastor read the parable usually
known 81 the parable of 1.-THE Rich
Man and Laza,us," as recorded in
Luke XVI: 10 This parable was spok-
en- by the lips that never uttered an
idle word. He that spake as never
man spake, 10 speaking and when He
speaks let all the earth keep silent bt-
fore Him" Christ has tefore Him a
rich man and critical audience. men
who not only reject His teaching but
Reject Him They were pharisees who
trusted in riches. Men. who like many
modern ptarisees is this ore particu-
lar, we're laying up treasures know
ing not who should gather them, OF
what the result of their toll would be.
Jesus was ever true to Iiis hearers. If.
ever man was permitted TO hear etern.
al veritles, he who was fortunate
enough to listen to TIE words of Jesus
certainly was. No fawning, fl.ttery.
or empty sophistry ever married His
speech. Oh that as ministers, we
might be as faithful to our trust
Jesus was plain preacher, He called
things by their right name. TNesw
of truth was never concealed in vel
vet scabbard. So tn this rich and
aristocratic audience, Jesus preached
one OF the most pungent sermons ever
uttered in the ears of man. Simple,
plain, forceful, instructive sermon. i
have often wondered how that audi
ence was affected by that sermon. l
have often wondered how, those robed
in purple and fine linen, would receive
that sermon today. If there is one in-
junction that is needed above another
for twentieth century preachers, it is
"Preach the word" 1t alone has IN ii
the granite suitable for foundation
for the eternal building. Hair.spm-
ting theories and glittering generali-
ties, may dazzle and even bewilder
those who are foolish enough TO choose
the sand. But the rock otimpregnabl-
truth alone Will stand when the day
shall declare every mans work of what
sort it is. 1t makes q difference what
one is building for, whether for time
OF eternity or both Christ was
"wise master builder" lie breaches
II great sermon, who breaches one tina
will stand forever.
"rhere was certain rich man,
There was certain beggar."
The rich mans ma N Ell sueither re-
corded in the Bible OF i'll the .Lambs
Book of Life" presume in this par
ticular he was like some modern rel
mpr: The poor mans very name H.
d!ca.ed that he was scnild of tn.
King" In this case there is some
thing IN a name. Jesus plainly sa, >
these two persons lived, and fur,he,
more He says they w;,re placed it,
'sha,l,ng" distance of each other, One
of the many excuses fired by som.
for not helping others is the lack of
opportunity Tn rich man had an
opportunity tn lend helping hand.
II q person. faithful in all his life,
never had an opportunity there would
be- no responsibility. This rich man
had chance Tnere is an immortal
itv of meaning in chance. In as
much as ye have done it unto one Of
the least of these, ye have done it unto
me-" A persons opportunity and
ability for helping this world is the
measure of ones duty, How many
neglect their duty on earth for an
eternity Of remorse. This service to.
night is frought with measureless pos
sibilities both to the church member
and the sinner. To one IS given the
chance to "let their light SO shine be-
fore men that others seeing their good
works may be constrained to glorlfy
their Father which is in Heaven" To
the other is offered through Christ.the
forgiveness of sin, and title to an ln-
heritance in the city of God. Either
or both may be lost. The rich man
let his Opportunity pass By unim-
proved. God often thrnsts privileges
in onr very faces Tie put Lazarus
right in the path of this rich man 10
help keep him out of hell It. is an
awful thing for person tn walk right
on to perdition despite every tear
song, prayer and pleading. And yet
there are persons tonight who are
walking right on over promises as holy
as ever were made 70 dying mother.
Walking over vows that were made
beside the tiny casket of q precious
babe. Yes the rich man walked on
and there is nothing that infers that
he ever took any notice of his suffer-
ing, needy brother. He Just hurrles
right on, business is pressing, he hasn't
time. Let those who are paid for such
work look after this man Or per-
chance as he passed by he looked upon
him and even pitied him and went SO
far as to hope somebody might lend q
helping hand. But for him he must
hurry on. o my, what a moment
when man is 30 blinded by the god of
this world that he rushes past the last
Call of Almighty God, right on, double
quick, without ray of hope, to end