The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-05-25
SUMMER RESORTS.

will be any conflict. But there Is a good
deal that the Bible commends which no
mans common sense and no nations phi
losophy has ever yet prescribed.
We have found out much about life that
Is true; and it is wonderful how much
men know; it is often wonderful, indeed,
how wisely in this world men live
who reject Gods book. Men
know much. But the apostle felt that
there was one who knew more One who
knows better what was needed on the
road than we do. The Book says, Take
up faith-his blood. Great things depend
on. it." Common sense and philosophy
doesn't say much on that. The Book
says, Love the little ones" Common
sense says simply, Love the great ones;'
and on. The apostle felt that here was
a wisdom richer and fuller than mans.
And the godly man is he who takes this
book and seeks that life to who are made
it's promises. And this is its chief char
acteristic
What is Promised to Goodness.
The apostle tells us mat it has the
promise not of few things, but of all
things That is, as l understand, other
principles lead a man into only partial
inheritance, but godliness brings that in
heritance to him in all of its fullness. 1t
doen't mean absolutely all things; but
the "all things" his life calls for. God
illness will not give any one man all the
wealth of the world. 1t will spare lit
tie for somebody else. 1t will not lead
an American politician to a throne; for
there is no throne in. this country. 1t
will not give a preacher great wealth for
such is no proper part of a pastors in
heritance. But 1t will bring in its train
the fullness of reward: and not simply
few things.
AS animals rise in the scale Of being
their natures become more complex and
their functions more varied. How ami
mails differ In their nature. There are
little animals e. the lowest end of the
scale of life so simple in their structure
that you can take them and turn them
inside out and they live just as well
with their backs in the place of their
stomachs as they did the other way. But
as animals rise in the scale their physi-
cal structures ecome complex, and, after
while. so complicated that it is an edu-
cation to understand them. And as their
natures increase in compleXity, so also,
their functions increase. Their life
becomes riches. 1t takes a richer vanity
to supply them and they can do and ae-
| complish a greater number CT things.
Mr.. Sturgeon was the pastor of a
great church, with all the varied duties
of pastor, teacher, preacher, leader,
counselor, ruler. guide, CONSIDER. In ad-
dition, he was the author of many noble
books; he was at the head of a theologt-
cal seminary; had the oversight OF a
great orphanage; was full of charitable
undertakings, and had to meet his po-
litical UNCONVENTIONAL and social re-
sponsbilities And he met all as n man.
That was living, that was human life.
Not just a few things, but vast wealth
of things-"all things"-were accom-
plished by him. And it is just this
thought as l censure which the apostle
has in mind Goodness is that course or
life which fits a man for All or this COM
pick. varied life and brings him into the
wealth of a full reward.
Profit Of Goodness.
| This is the profit of goodness. Other
| principles of life can give few things,
| but only a few; and this is their con-
| demnation. A man who selfshly fixes his
heart on money and pursues that re-
| CARELESS of religion, may gain that am
| bition, but he will not get much else.
| The quantity and the gaudiness of his
/ feathers may hide from the eye how
| small and lean a bird he Is; but If Provi-
| dence should conclude to pluck him, he
| would not bring much in the market
| Conclusion.
| In conclusion let me say that worldly
| principles impose their specious wisdom
| on us because wa are prone to fix our
minds on the few things of the present.
/ The present pleasure the present profit
/ the present victory. 1t is not wrong tc
think Of the present buta 1t is folly tc
! think only Of the present When we DC