Connecticut western news., 1902-03-13

the service of Almighty God, while he lived, and this was his highest joy. But again mark how wholly different it was with selfish Lot. He did a0t build an altar to the Lord, but kept his riches and pitched his tent toward Sodom. No matter how great the danger might be, he deliberately chose the god of material riches for his god, and the sad ending of his unfortunate life is known to every bible reader only too we'll. As a consequence of Abra- hams noble generosity, God so nicely blessed him and always will be known as "The Father of the Faithful" And as a consequence of Lots pitiful selfish ness, he always will stand out as bea-
 on light of warning to all those who would have the Lord for their God.
 We have come together this morning not as band of wandering nomads, not as the children of Q rude and barbarous age, but much rather as men and women not only enjoying life, liberty and the persuits of happiness, but in addition the highest culture and refinement; the most precious oppor- tunities for developing that which is highest and noblest and best; and are heirs to the gravest responsibilities this world has ever known. Wholly diff ferent therefore IS our lot today to that of the primitive children of the forest the stage of life four thousand years ago God will and certainly does ex- pect infinitely more from us than he expected from them. because our op- portunities are infinitely greater. To l. lA A Il .&I since then, because 1t never will change. and consequently Lots de- scendants, although for the time being wiped out during the destruction of the cities of the plain. some how or othor, are still here driving close bargains for the richest pastures and to have their herds watered at the we'll first. How ever 8 most encouraging feature of the whole transaction is that the descend. ants of Abraham, the cl ildren and fol- lowers of him, who 80 generously con- secrsted his substance toward the erection of the infant church, from year to year, not only are msrvslously increasing and are wonderfully blessed. but in addition represent the world . progress and enlightenment, the world 8 benehcence and blessings and even now are enjoying the glorious promise that they shall inherit life everlasting, while the children of Lot, although successful in over reaching the children of their uncle, Abraham, and temporarily en- toying. no doubt, the fruits of their | gaine, yet at snch Q tremendous cost that the thoughtful and generous can ouly pity them, since the nature and end of such Q career is as positively certain AS was the nature and end of the career of the cities of Sodem and Gormorrah of old. We ourselves, therefore, brother man, and in the light of the monday sun, are deciding where we will stand; whether with the children of Abraham or the children of Lot Deciding not simply professionally by the fact that we belong to the church, but much rather deciding by the daily life we are leading. Deciding by oul unsslfishness and generosity. Do VIC know what true generosity really mesnsi To be sure it means to give of our pos sessions beautifully. give till we feel il and till it means Q sacrifice to us, Blu
 it means infinitely more than this. IT order to do all this, we first of all mus have a genero Is heart. This always Ii essential to generous giver. But { generous heart means Q true lov, toward God and true love toward you
 fellowman. This is necessary in orde
 to give to the former and forgive tn, latter. Generosity therefore mean
 kindness in words and motives, fully Q
 much so as the giving of our posses
 sions. Indeed it Is possible to giv,
 large sums of money and yet not pos
 sess even grain of generosity. In
 word, generosity means a large heart
 overhowing with kindness and low
 toward God and man. Finally then, i
 matters but little what else we ma,
 have, although the signature of ou
 name may stand for millions; tn
 people may laud us and strew our path
 way with roses; we may live in palace
 and fare sumptuously every day; W may even shed tears, as man has done
 because there are no more worlds for u
 to conquer; yet if we are lacking thi
 precious jewel, viz., . kind, good an, ) generous heart, we are even wors
 than sounding brass and tinklin ! cymbal. We are living, not ninetee hundred years before Christ, as Abrs ham did, but nineteen hundred year after Christ. Therefore let this cal ) dinAl virtue, generosity, which he 6 , beautifully illustrates in his own life , also have an abiding place in our livel and if so, certainly will be takin another grand and heroic step beaver 7 ward.
 l March 8, 1909.