The daily Republican., 1902-12-08
DELUSI0NS THAT
BESET HUMANITY
Pastor Shape Characterizes
Them as Beds Too Short
for Comfort.
CHRIST A RESTING PLACE
And the Only Sufficient Gov
ering From Sin, Pastor
Says. is the Holy
Robe.

gu ltOu thS tVAS.
"For the led is shorter than that
amar can stretch himself in it; and
the covering narrower than that he
can wrap himself in it,
lisa. %; 20.
In part Mr.. Shape said: "Of
dangerous delusiOus and unsatisty-
ing excuses, aud OF the only sure
foundation and covering l am 10
speak to YOU for a little while to-
night. 1t is dangerous delusion
to trust " wealth. 1t buys a bed
Of finest material and soitest fur
nishings, but the bed is short.
Thank God for wcalth-it may prove
tho greatest blessing next 10 saliva
tiOn, or the greatest curse. Gold
10 the most precious Of metals, but
II is worthless stuff compared with
the gift Of God. 1t is not sin to
want 10 be rich il the purpose is 10
better humanity with your wealth.
Think what money will do. Sup.
pose the man who can afford it
would only make happy the hearts
OF those whose humble dwellings
back up 10 his fine house. What
wealth OF opportunity lies in the
path OF wealth at this approaching
testal. season. What golden priv.
isges flash up from the face OF the
gold tina. men have earned. Money,
money is the god OF many men in
this world. but properly understood.
properly appreciated. aud properly
used, it is Il Iercrently speak) the
next best blessing 10 the gift OF
. God. For think, silver tongued
preachers OF the gospel cannot swim
10 Africa is too far. but mooey
.Ili pay their passage over that
th.y may tell the natives of a
Christ that died. Golden plans for
tho betterment OF The stricken sick
and aged In a hundred homes, are
helpless without tie gold that pur-
chases bed and other necessities
and comforts for the needy. Pover-
ty can build aircastles higher tnan
the mansions Of the earth, but
money can build humble cottages
10 the land for the betterment Of
the poor. 1t Is not found in the
bible (as 80 many say that money
is the root Of all evil; 1t is said with
emphasis that "the Love OF money
10 the root OF all evil Q Tim. g; 10y
A bed Of gold is a short bed only |
when men trust in 1t above their
trust 10 Him who holdcth the wealth
ot The world in His hand.
Learning 10 a short bed Wien
men are deluded with 4 sense OF Its
omulpotence knowledge that
pu!re,h up, study that leaves God
out Of the question, books exalted
above the Book Of ooks, a college
course that contributes NO Impetus
a Christian course, lltera-
lure that ridijulcs the hopes Of pious
saints, ard makes no reference 10 4
iu,nre world these all are vain de-
iuslcns, short beds.
pleasures for their own sake sre
q short bed. Life is too short for one
10 lie down on bed 30 short as this.
l do not dcncunce the pleasures of
this Vie. i like Il good time myself.
IL Is wrong IOlion that the Chris
tan must futcgo lifeS amuscintnts
aad withdraw entirely from this
wor!d. That is the monklsh notion
VI life that says in substance, 70 be
free f!Um this world get out Of 1t. 1t
Is unlik= the example and precepl Of
Dur Lord, who never declined an in.
v!tation to dinner no matter what
The character OF him who invited
him WAS aud who frequently attend
Il s0cta. functions, an who at the
clDse Of !is naIchlnss life when sum
ming mp THAT HE 10 Gul 10 praycr
'ai'i Ia reference to his disciples aud
y t's 4 pray not that thou shohldst
.ukc them out Of the world. but that
,h"u shouIdst keep them from the
:y'i Que. 1t Is pleasure for its own
AXE. which in plain words means
that ls a vain deluslcn.
Morality IS Il short bed. Not that
t il not TO be commended. and prac-
iced. Surety a Christian minister
would Oe the last man 10 say that mo.
aiity is not Il commeudabls virtue.
'ut morality doesn't 80 FAR enough.
/ dies the day the moraist dies aud
0esn' I even attend Ills funeral, Nor
lily never gets any farther than the
cath bed and On that bed the NOR
list is most uncomfortable for that
ed il too short than that Il man can
.retch himself on it.
"phlIarthropy is short bed. |
lem philanthropy that endows hos.
ital, auKfonpds Libraries, and scat.
.rs giaSC for hum mantarian reasons
nf ulded on Christianity. LlsLento
'c. tn;rc can lie nulTue philanlh lhropy
'IaL is '.oye Tor mankind as The
ord mcans) without love for God.
may build colleges,
'ntrouls to the healing o7 the .
roken bodies OF men, purify the va !
# OF u great city and miss the ap
ausc OF The angels But he who '
YES a cup Of cold water ia the name
disciple shall in no wise lose his
ward,
Influence is ashort bed especi c
ly ia man lies down on it. And C
9t all men seek influence, and y
any boast of carrying it, whole O
ard full of it, in their vest pockets. v
over In real and vital sonse they a.
low nothing of influence to them j C
everything, and yet how far short Al
falls of lasting benefit to them A
Ives or any others. Influence is D;
shadow; power is real. Infu-
GO is accidental; power is fuuda-
sntal. Influence is felt from with =,
I; power thrOUs from within un- ~
1t bars i'S letters. Influence :
Cost. - rourtb Page III