The St. Louis Republic., 1902-09-15
LUXURY OF DOING GOOD
MAKES A CHRISTIAN HAPPY.
Doctor t. c. Carleton. Pastor of
Lafayette Park Baptist Church
breaches on This Subject.

The Reverend Doctor T. c. Carleton. pas.
tor OF the Lafayette Park Baptist Church
ury Of Doing Good" hasinC his topic on
Luke vii, 81, IS: And behold a woman iII
the city. which was u sinner when she
knew that Jesus did not eat meat in the
I.harlsee's home. brought an alabaster box
OF ointment; and stood at his feet behind
MIN weeping and began to wash his feet
hairs of her head. and kissed his feet and
anointed them with the ointment
wise and benevolent God has arranged
10 bless those doing good from three
sources, and fourth indirectly. From
within. from without, from above. From
within comes a very sweet and gracious
feeling when We do good. Virtue is its
own reward said Goldsmith; and Pope
Thought. The sweetest pleasures we re-
celve at last is consciousness Of virtuuUs
actions past The man who does right
acts hcnorably, feels a self-respect that il
gratifying and is worth much But the
man who has done something more than
duty. who has been generous as well as
just. good as well right. who has helped
some struggling one with his crushing bur
den. has cheered some sorrowing home or
heart with kindly words and deeds. has
made some one better and happier. has ia
MS own soul a rare and rich reward. And
ne mas II at once and IN spite of all oppo-
sitlon. This i5 the reward of conscience.
Then, while many are unsTateful, there
are some VINO 50 gracious!y receive and 50
truly appreciate faVors, that their loving,
gratitude makes one very happy. There Is
reward in the eye in the hearty hand grasp
and In the words that Iinger ike pleasant
memories Every kindly heart knows what
mean. From without there are rewards
them. Treasure of purse or heart expend-
ed In this way il laid up in the next best
place 10 heaven. have a package of
hundred letters which l call my 'alabaster
box They are a fragrant and effective
remedy for encouragement. and a beaufi-
fIil oblivion for wrongs and Injuries They
make A paradise wherever they are opened.
There iS n charm that no sorCid. selfish
man can ever enjoy. in the warm. clnsing
their earnest God bless you' and the tear
filled eye speaks a language more divine
than human. Doctor John a Bruadus used
TO. tell with a charming relish Of tho graft
tude OF his first convert. 1t was a half
witted boy about his own age. Wherever
be met him he was greeted with sincere
and hearty 'Howiy. John: tnankee John
Aiultitudes of the good ard great poured
out to him their fun hearts treasure. but
hlgn ain0nS them. II not above them. we're
the simple words and their deep meaning
of this poor hoy.
The demoniac. when Jesus cast out the
demons, clung To him with an affection and
spoke 10 him in language that made a
heaven of Giadara. Magdeen's tears ard
raverent love made Sinlon's house another
heaven for Jesus, and Nary's alabas;er box
OF precious ointment. and the richer treas
ure OF her heart. filled the SaYiors life
with a joy second only to the bliss of
Better and greater than approving con-
science and grateful friends ~ the Lord. our
heavenly Father. who looks with peculiar
delight upon doing good he has purposed
and planned that those who engage in this
christlike business shall enjoy not only the
host of earth. hut the best of heaven. a
cup OF cold water even has its reward here
and hereafter.
-'It is not enough that his cilristiy spirit
ed ones. who go about doing good should
secure the best earthly joys and blessings;
he calls them up higher for the climax Of
bliss The twenty-ifth chapter Of Matthew
gives a glimpse Of the luNu-i rus happiness
that awaits them. Come 70 blessed of nv
Father. inhari: the kingdom prepared for
YOU Tor I was hungry and yoI ::
me to eat: I was thirsty and " gave me
drink; WAS stranger ard We took Ele
in; naked and We clothed me-; was sick
and ye visited ne: Was in prison. ard ~
came to me- And in their surprise he said:
In so far as yc did il 10 the least Of these
nus brethren. We did it TO me- There is.
therefore. double charm in serving Gods
people: We thereby SsrvP God himself
Besides all this. there iS a fascination IN
doing good that gpoils the relish for Sa-
tan's false pleasures. Whose hrirf delights
end with pain OF lashinr conscience and
The curse Of those who suffer fer oUr rev
elry. Thus the luxury of doing good is 4
safeguard against doing evil.
If there were no penalties for wrong
doing. the luxury Of doing good ought to
attract us all into this csristly business.
Jesus wen; about doing good