The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-01-28

he did not, he would have been much
depend at some time on just enc thing.
n THING LACKING.
"See the fair and beautiful ship on the
ocean: perfectly built and well equipped. but
lacking a comcass; II the storm continues
hidden from sight for a period of time the
composites ship Will dash through the
binding spray upon the rockbound. coast.
son and every thing will be an absolute
wreck.
but one of the finest the Bible Speaka Of
anywhere. Let us look at what he had and
then at what he lacked.
He had a fine character. clean record and
true aspirations. But he lacked one thing.
In his character there was discernment,
courtesy. courage. The rulers and Gov
errors were conspiring to silence the voice
had the courage to recognize him. He did
not lie. nor boast of his character. When
Jesus asked if he had observed the last six
swered truthfslly. All these Save I done
from my youth up" Notice that Jesus
looked at him then and loved him for his
loved him had he been impure. 1 grant it.
but not because he was impure.
"He had a clean record. l love to think Of
the last words of John B. Cough. Just a
few minutes before he was ushered into
the presence of his Maker he said in a pub
lie address. Young men keep your records
clean thank God for 1t. Oh, that you
might realize the value Of c.ean records.
IF you young fellows knew what 1t means
10 create phantomS that will rise out of the
past to trouble you. you would not create
them. II you knew what 1t means to be liv-
ing under a sword suspended by a hair you
would keen a clean record. Let no church
member. however devout. sheer at the man
with a clean record. He may not have pub
liceiy confessed. but he has something that
demands admiration and respect.
HAD PERFECT ASPIRATIONS.
But better than both of these he had
right aspirations. What did he ask Christ
for? For life eternal. He had a conscious
ness Of limitations. He knew that his deep
est nature was not satisfied. He wanted
the eternal.
Everyone pants for God. The child cry
ing for the moon brings smiles, but it is but
the prophecy and the parable of his future
life. am not talking now Of the desire for
God created ny the realization of the con-
v!ction of sin: that is not the subject.
yo Every one 3ne Is the offspring Of the Deity.
The devil has not the creative power. At
time in the lives of all there comes a
desire Tor future life, a passion for infinity.
a sob for eternity. This man was honest
enough to speak out. which some of you
are. not.
Out Of justice to that man we should also
observe that he was rich. We may forget
that. however. Some persons make that the
strongest point of the text. I wish merely
to refer to 1T to do no injustice.
-. "hot ShcH uu NC ldCNs ENOt poverty.
The poor man can be as proud and re-
bellious as a devil. Let us put the en-
phasis on the right words of the Bible text.
and follow me He put the emphasis on
follow me That was what he lacked. He
had not found his Lord. He was aetuated
traits were developed because he respected
himself.
Humanity was constructed for obedience.
He lacked the abandonment of his life to
Inc higher IuU IN Control nnn fhypr thou
lackest. Follow me. Take off your crown
and put 1t on my head. reach your scepter
Into my hand. submit your proud will and
live at the dictates of my pleasure.
Jesus saw what might come out of that
man, and asked to be allowed to develop
him to his full possibility. of his f%ruition.
case and puts his finger on the bad spot.
He said go and sell what thor hast and
give it to the poor. He would not say this
thing to every man.
GIVE UP BAD HABITS.
TO every one he does say thou !ackest
and follow me. but in between IS the one
thing that every person must he rid of.
Give up a bad habit. evil friends. a thousand
things. I say 1t with reverence. and with
fever when smallpox is the trouble. |
He had a deep understanding OF the pas
sion Of the human heart, He did not ask
pone the payment of the dividend. that he
make an investment and reap the reward
thereof in heaven. He affirmed that he was
1 SdIe investment TIC tudl inc duSGiS
would record the transaction.
What became Of the man? I am I'm
willing to leave him where the story does.
countenance fell. we are told. because
had great possessions. Follow him back
70 his home and imagine the picture.
There was but an alternative future. He !
must either obey and find life. or disregard
Ind sink down amid the pleasures Of wealth
md. although worldly clean, lose the last
of divinity and perish. After a man
'aces Christ he either goes up or down. 1
,annot help hoping that he obeyed at some
future time.
you see what I am trying to present. |
Christ wants to develop the full possibilities
II your life. He will not spoil your artistic
temperament. No man can be a poet with
tut God. !
IF you have a faculty for mechanical
he will help you. No man can
pc perfect alone He must find Christ: See
standing with love-lit eyes and invite
you. He loves you too well to smite you:
He picks out your one great wrong-you
<now what it Island says. Give It VI and
follow me- VIII you do it,"
C~.-h< Vrakh GtHu~~ nn~Dv |