The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-08

Sabbath Lessons.
Notable Days.


perior ability makes his falseness all the
more culpabIe.
The value of salt lies in its pungent
purity. If so impure that it has lost
its salty taste, it has also lost its power
to preserve from putrefaction It may
by mixture with other substances be-
come taSte1esS or even sweet. It's value
is not by this change increased, but
lessened. Some people may, as mat
ter of taste, greatly prefer sugar to salt;
that does not make the impure salt more
valuable. If it has lost it's saltiness it is
worthless.
Light. to be of any use, must be where
it can be seen in the darkness. It's value
Is to help US see things which would
otherwise be unseen.
OF what use is religion which is in
visible in effect? Goodness of heart and
sympathy, which are only shown by
sharp words and oppressive, selfish acts,
are savorless salt and hidden lamps
Ability is to be used for the good of
mankind and the glory of God. LET
your light so shine before men that
they may see your good works and g1o-
rify your Father which is in heaven"
If we properly use the abilities which
God has given to us we will make men
see God in our works, for all good.
works are from God. Thus they will
be led to praise God and to consecrate
their lives to Him. Thus our abilities
will bless our fellows and rebound to
the glory of God. If God has blessed
US with special or even humble abilities,
let us use them to honor Him and to
lead others to honor Him.
THE VALUE OF INFLUENCE
The Epworth league topic for Dec. S
Is found in Matthew vi, 1917. The chap
ter is a portion of the sermon on the
mount, and the lesson is from a part or
the Lords prayer. The lesson deals with
value Of influence or the right use of
ability. God has not given to all men
equal ability. Some are strong, others
weak; some are rich, other poor; some
are high, others low; some have SUI
perior intelligence, others are below the
average in intelligence; some morally and
spiritually are superiors and others in
feriors. This being true, it becomes
very important question to those who
are blessed with special abilities, posi-
tons or opportunities as to what is the
right way to use them. 1t is an i'm
portant question, because ability means
responsibility. God will demand of every
man an account according to his sew
eral abilities" 1t may be splendid thing
to be two-talent or fve-talent men, but
those who have many talents must &C
count for many talents and should study
carefully how to use them.
Ability Is not to be neglected. can
die mas lighting ability. For that rea-
son 1t is not hidden under a bushel
where it's light would be no good but
is placed on candlestick, that it may
give light to all In the house. God con-
dennis the neglect of ability. If He has
given ability to anyone, it is for pur-
pose, and to neglect 1t Is as serious as
to misuse it. The man with one talent,
which he neglected, was condemned and
punished. Five-talent men are not I'M
mune from service. The greater ability
possessed the greater the crime of neg
lecting it. Failure to use given ability ID
absolutely inexcusable and will certainly
lead to condemnation and punishment.
1t is grave question which is more
disastrous to ones soul-insipid, inactive
goodness, hidden light, or active evil and
apparent darkness. 1t costs to shine true,
but it is always best.
Have you the courage to be genuine
and true where shame are at a premium?
Dare you be transparent and open where
others wear wells and masks?
NOTABLE DAYS OF THE WEEK.
Dec. 8 is the second Sunday in Advent.
On this day in the Catholic church
thanks are returned for the means of
grace, and for the Holy Scripture. In
the Roman calendar the Sth is the festi-
val. known as the Conception of the
Virgin Mary" 1t was declared an ar
ticle of faith by Pope Plus TX. in 1854.
Dec is also the anniversary CT the
birth in 1872 of Mary Stuart, Queen of
Scots; of Eli Whitney, in 1765, inventor
of the cotton gin and Improvements in
fire arms; of Elihu Burritt, in 1911, the
Learned blacksmith of Robert Collyer,
in 1928. the blacksmith preacher
Dec. 9 is the anniversary Of the birth,
in 1903, of John Milton, illustrious poet;
CT Emma A. Abbott, in fS49, American
singer.
Dec 10 is the anniversary of the birth,
17SS, of Thomas H. GaIlaudet, founder of
the first American school for deaf-mutes;
of Daniel Appleton. in l7S5, the publisher
of Edward Eggleston, in 1887, divine and
author
Dec. Ii and IL is held the great annual
festival of Geneva, Switzerland. 1t keeps
alive the memory of the repulse of
sudden assault upon the city by the Sa-
voyards in 1902. The day has been cele-
brated with unfailing regularity. 1t is
a Geneyese Thanksgiving, and the night
is celebrated by street carnival. and
everyone is masked. It is a traditional
privilege of the gallants to kiss any
woman on the streets without a mask
Dec. II is also the anniversary of the
BIRTH in 1881, of Sir David Brewster, emf
nent British philosopher and author.
Dec. 70 is the anniversary of the birth,
in las, of John Jay, first chief justice Of
the United States; of William Lloyd Gar
rison, in 1904, anti-slavery reformer.
Dec. 10 is honored in the Catholic
church for st. Lucy, a virgin martyr of
Sicily, in 3O5. She is the patroness of
Syracuse, of the laboring poor, and
against disease. Of the eyes. Dec. 13
is also the anniversary of the birth, in
1885, Of Bishop Phillips Brooks
Dec IA is the anniversary of the death
of George Washington. on a Saturday,
in the last month of the eighteenth Gen.
fury, and the day is also the anniver-
sary of the birth, in 1911, of Noah Porter,
scholar and author.