The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-04-07
ACTIVITY AND SL0THFULNESS
IN WORK OF CHRISTIANS.
Doctor J. G. Jones, Dean Of State
University, Addresses Bible
Glass.
REPUBLIC

REPUBLIC SPECIAL
Columbia, Mo-. April doctor j. C.
Jones. dean of the academic department OF
the Missouri State University, addressed
Walter Williams Bible class yesterday
morning on the Importance of Activity In
Christian Work" taking as a basis Of
thought Romans xii. Il: Not slotkful in
business, fervent in spirit. serving the
Lord"
Doctor Jones introduced his address by
reference to the unceasins activity found In
every department of nature, and illustrated
by reference to the solar system and GER
tain phases of plant life. Turning then 10
the application of this same law in the spir-
itual world, the Doctor said, in part:
The teaching of Christ and of his apos-
ties is everywhere in harmony with this
law of nature. II Christ had come into the
world and had taught a religion which rec
commended Incidence. inactivity and sloth-
fulness, his teaching would have been a con-
elusive proof that he was an impostor: for
John says that he Is the creator OF all
things John /, 2, and would the Creator
have attempted to impose upon us spirit
ual laws which are out OF armon with
is the creator OF all things, we should ex-
pect to see manifested in him and his
teachings principles in harmony with that
creation. Can you point out a life in all
history which was more active than his?
Peters simple testimony in the tenth chap
ter OF the Acts, that he went about doins
good contains the whole story of his life.
lone of the few instances where impa-
tience seems to be manifested In his words
was, when his mother would keep him a
while longer in the p .Wist IN Of po her I, Love !
must be about my fathers business?'
luke ii. 49, He was too busy to have a
home, a fixed abode. and he said OF MIN,
of the air have nests: but the Son of Man
hath not where to lay his head which
from the connection clearly refers to Inc
than to his poverty, as it is generally ex-
planned. In all the representations of him
in art NV; who has ever w seen w one t Waicn Pts his
ease? Do they not rather represent him
as a man of action and do they not please
us better the nearer seT,1 they a ipcnrna to our p
Christ's teachings or in those of
his disciples there is no passage which
contrary. he receives always the ~severest
condemnation. Christ's anger flames up
against him far more than against. the SIM
his money more than he did his Lord. He
permits the latter to depart in silence and
to the former he uses these gracious words:
go and sin no more But in the parable of
the talents, when the idle servant said:
And l was afraid and went and hid thy
is thine Matthew XIV, % His %indigna-
ton rises to its highest pitch, and he utters
tsh these T g asa ,o dhTu H them with tha the s.o sWift
condemnation: And cast we the unprofit-
able servant into outer darkness
1T Is but natural. lHeI, since SHriSt 80
emphasized in his life and In his teachings
the value of diligence, that his apostles
also should have dwelt with some empha-
sis upon its Importance, He that giveth.
let him do it with simplicity; he that rul-
eth, with diligence Romans XII. g.. That
We be not sIothful, but followers of them
who through faith and patience inherit the
promises hebrews vi. 49,, And. besides
this. giving all diligence. add TO your iaith
virtue. and to virtue knowledge II Peter
4, 81 Where. beloved, seeing that We
look for such things Il. e., a new heaven
and a new earth wherein dwelleth right
eousness). be diligent that We may be found
of him in peace without spot and blaneless.'
Oh Peter iii, 1)
ut Is worth our while to inquire why
slothfulness is so strongly condemned and
diligence so strongly commended by Christ
and his disciples. Plainly for this reason.
~Slothfulness is a violation OF that law OF
activity which Christ has set up in the
world and in our natures. II we desire
strong and heaithful bodies, We must exer-
else them. If we seek to strengthen and
develop our Intellectual powers, we must
do It by exercise. by use; and II We want
to prepare ourselves to take part in that
Kingdom which Christ will at some time
set up, one way to do 1t IS to show our
selves diIigeut In the work which he has as
signed us here: for Christ himself has said:
Thou hast been faithful over a few things,
I will make thee ruler over many things
CMatthew XIV, ~
ITO young people especially the tempta-
tons to Incidence. slothfuiness are numer-
Gus and strong. The example OF idle com.
panions, the love Of ease, the lack OF fixed