The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-20
THE VOICE OF THE PULPIT
HELPING THE MASSES NEEDS OF
THOSE WHO WOULD AID.
ny the TT Hon end Most Rev Fred
erick Hemple, ID. D., ID. c. T.. Lord
Archbishop of Canterbury.

the truth |-Jonn XVII, ~
We are living In day when material
progress has outstripped the moral and the
spiritual: when on all sides OF US We are
forced TO acknowledge the wonderful cd
vances that are made by human science
and human art; when there is such , pro-
fusion OF comfort, of refinement. Of graft
ncation: when there is such N s5unoance
of wealth that belongs. TO this present
world; when men know so much more than
they did. though they still have before
them interninable vistas of future knowl-
edge. net yet acquired. but within possibil-
ity Of reach.
We are struck with all this and filled with
admiration. Tt is impossible for US not
often TO turn our eyes upon what rhe Lord
is thus doing with His people here on
earth. We are astonished when we see
how rapid. how sure. and apparently how
endless is the progress before us; and
whilst there is this wonderful advance in
oil material things, there IS at The same
time. marvellous dislocation Of all the
work OF ordinary human invention and of
human labor.
There are those who. in the midst OF all
this wealth. are suffering greater privations
than we can record in past history; there
are those whose poverty and misery cry
out against the enjoyments with which we
are surrounded: there are those who are
DESTROYS to join in this great scene of hu-
man toll. TO take their part in all that has
yet to be done; who stand there unable to
find the means OF supporting life itself,
unable to find. in the midst of all this COM
lort. the barest necessities of life. We see
all society thus torn and distracted and
contradictions meet US at every turn.
And why is it that with this material
progress, intended-and not only intended,
but efficient-for the material comfort of
man. there should be such bodily misery,
there should be such squalor, there should
be such unblessed and unholy conditions
In which our fellow creatures are now
plunged? Why Is IL?
ALWAYS THE SAME ANSWER.
The answer TO every question, the an
swer to all investigation, the answer to
every study OF the subject always is, be-
cause there is nothing moral or spiritual
that corresponds TO all this-because
while all this is going on day by day. in
creasing with abundant Increase with no
promiss OF failure or of retardation, yet
still the moral standard is not higher
than 1t was, there is no corresponding
spiritual purpose in those who are receIv-
ing Gods material blessing. Instead of a
help to our moral and spiritual life, all
wealth of the wealthy is a temptation to
them. and the poverty of the poor is a
temptation to them; and the conditions
or hfe, which seem as if by slight
changes they might be made blessing
TO all, are curse at one end and a curse
at the other, separating men from one
another. parting their lives asunder, maxi
Ing IL difficult for the different classes to
understand each other.
We feel the evil. and there is a cry
everywhere TO remedy it; the poor are cry
ing out 10 the rich. the degraded are crying
out to the cultivated and refined, and the
Ignorant are crying out to those who are
possessed OF knowledge: the call sounds i'm
our ears and touches our feelings and it Is
impossible for US TO be deaf to the ringing
force with which, with perpetual reitera-
ton, the cry sounds again and again from
the depths OF society. And now we are
called 10 look for the remedy. Where shall
the remedy be found?
1t is not TO be found in the profusest use
OF money; it will not be found in what is
commonly called charity taken by itself.
Nay, all the labor that can be bestowed
on IL. as we know full well by dire ex-
perience, will not suffice to set the evil
right. We know, every student of the mat
ter knows. that If the masses are to be
permanently benefited It is their moral
elevation that must be sought; that they
must be raised TO a higher and nobler
standard of life: that they must learn TO
understand, not the bearing with priva-
tions merely. and the sulky submission to
must understand what is meant by true.
self-deniaI, what is meant by a higher pur-I
pose aud a nobler life
THE THING TO LEARN
And we who are 10 teach them this seem
very often to fancy that this can be taught
by labor, by the sacrifice of money. by be-
slowing on them something to meet the
present needs; and we see not that the
beginning. IL we are to bless them. is to
find a higher moral standard in ourselves,
and that il we desire, indeed, that they
shall be lifted up. we must begin by our
selves rising above ourselves. learning what
there is lacking in us, understanding what
IL is that our spiritua. nature wants, seek
ing ever and ever more entire devotion
70 the Lord. looking closely TO that
what We do for our fellow-men is not
indulgence OF mere feeling. that it is the
outcome of a spirit that is sanctifying it
self by turning ever upward to look to the
Lords example. by writing the heart
the principles OF His unselfsh life. by fol-
lowing with steady steps and with deter
mined will the path in which He once trod
on earth.
y 1t is only by beginning within and by
seeking TO be what He was that IL is possi-
bic for us 10 do His holy work; and those
who desire TO be blessing to their fellow
men must copy the words of the Lord;
and since it Is their sanctihcation that is
really needed they must begin by sanctify-
ing themselves.
On. my brethren, 1t is not your money,
your time. your labor that your fellow
men desire; II is yourself-it is your very
self. given first to God and then to them.
II Is nothing short Of that which can in
deed bless your fellow-creatures II is by
giving your whole being to that which is
higher and more heavenly; il is so and so
a. Il