Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-01-30
Journals
Saturday
Sermon

me figure here IS taken from architec-
ture. II is one that is readily appreciated.
To any building the foundation is every
thing. When we get above ground we be-
gin the garnishing and emancipation; but
in the foundation we look chiefly TO
strength and durability and power to
stand wrench and shock and strain The
future OF every building Is written In the
character OF its foundations As In
uhvxfcs. 50 in morals. Character has pill
lars as really as house And every life
that goes to wreck does so because its
foundation principle Is morally rotten and
fails when the test comes, just as really
as a house tumbles because its pillars
crumble.
God is building temple. He is building
Il through his people. He is building in
all parts OF the earth We are shaping
stones the nations across the sea are
polishing others In heather lands the
sound OF the hammer and chisel is heard
Sheba and Seba are sending gifts and
Ethiopia is beating gold and hewing cedar
for this holy temple. All the ages past
have wrought upon II. Generations yet
unborn shall build. Till some glad day
the work will all be done and the tenn
pie shall stand fair and beautiful in the
eternal city OF God. AS we build the Mas
ter says 10 us: Look well TO the founda-
tons
Il our pgIlar under that temple is the
. home. God set the solitary in families
The home is a divine institution. II was
let down by God out OF heaven God 5
best gift 10 man was vile. his nrst
command 20 woman was TO be a help
meet and a home-maker. The home Is
the unfit OF society. The birthplace Of the
influences that bless or blight the world.
From Il came the men and women VINO
make or mar the future. Though he may
pass his four-score years man never
outxrows the influence Of his childhood
home. SO strong. so lasting, SO deternlin,
ing IN its influences. the text says guard
the home"
!. Guard its integrity. There are many
places In this land that we call Christian
where a marriage contract Is as hgnuy
made and as lightly broken as a clNh
contract II Is moral leprosy. II strikes
at the ROOT OF al social purity Barring
the one cause that makes divorce not
only 5ustifabIe but commendable the
Christian people OF this land ought 70 rise
I'D as one man and bury the divorce sys-
ten BY and hope OF q resurrection
2 Guard its authority. The NTH COM
mandment IS the only one with promise
attached. That seems TO teach that God
sets great store By the spirit that recog-
mixes authirity and that the best place
20 foster such a spirit Is In the home
Criminals are made in the home Men
disohey the laws OF the land because as
children they disobeyed IN the hOLne.
Hold the child TO strict obedience In the
home and the man viii respect Ia" Nheh
he goes out into the world.
3 Guard its piety. Next after the direct
touch OF the Holy Spirit the most con-
slant. lasting. persistent influence Is the
memory OF a Christian home In many
a case the one chain that has held when
the hfIIovs OF temptation rolled and the
fres OF passion burned has been the one
that was forged when at mothers knee
the little Elistening eye OF faith was
pointed away 20 Satans reignlng A.s.
See 10 IL that Christ Is IN the home. See
10 IL that the family altar IS there and
that night and morning the sacriflce OF
praise and prayer is offered. Some day II
viii be worth more 70 you and your chill
dren than all OF Mammon's treasure for
his single heir.
II. Another pillar under that temple is
the state. The powers that be are ordained
Of God Civil government is, Of His ap-
pointment God is in secular history as
really as in sacred history. The state Is
His agent Patriotism Is a Christian viz
tue We sin against God and pOsterity
when we fail in citizenship. Christ was an
ardent patriot He loved his country with
a fervent love. He said. Render to Cae-
sar the things that are Caesars" Organ
lied government. law. with its sanctions
faithfully and righteously administered
IS our only safeguard against tyranny and
anarchy Il Is a Christian duty 10 uphold
the dignity OF the commonwealth. Guilt
vate respect for her authority. foster
wholesome fear OF her power and gen.
uine active interest and participation In
her affairs. The man who knowingly,
wflfuIly violates a law OF his land is an
enemy to himself, to his children. to his