The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-08

hundred pleasures. To frown on pleasures.
therefore. is TO ALLEVIATE young people. The
outgoing generation has no right 10 mort
gage the oncoming generation, and TO en-
slave Abe dewy, unbound heart with arti-
fetal limitations is to strike the springtime
out of the circling year.
YOUTH TURNED AWAY.
$50 this youth turned away when Jesus
announced the imperious law OF sacrifice.
He lost, therefore. the rest OF the sentence:
He shall received an hundred-fold now"
This is the attractive perspective stretch
ing away beyond a mans life consecrated
to the service OF others. At once q new
fascination invests the whole life Of duty
and altruistic effort. There is a vast diff
ference right here. If you tell a boy to
climb a hard stone wall without revealing
what lies on the other side OF the wall you
set him a hard task He tries IL reluctant
~. He likely receives bruises and scratches
on his aching limbs and Is again and again
foiled ere he reaches the top Suppose. how
ever, when you issue the command you also
suggest vista on the other side that ap-
peals TO the boys magination-perhaps an
apple orchard with rudy fruit tempting his
fingers, or perhaps park where his lusty
limbs may indulge in pasttme, or perhaps
silver lake stocked with game where he
may while away his hours in sport; then
you may mark the infinite difference I'm q
moment He scales those high walls with
vim and impetuosity because the prospect
beyond allures him lrreslSuDly.
$50 of all human life in its tedious prog
ress upward. Every injunction in the Bible
carries a promise and the promise must be
adequate. A thousand-dollar sacrifice
with a hundred-dollar reward will fail 10
attract. Jesus asks a hundred-dollar duty
and offers a thousand-dollar bounty. An
hundred fold now A command OF alb
stract or austere performance with
blank space or vacancy beyond may be
obeyed by a few supereminent men and
women who would walk through fire 10 do
the right. These few are OF heroic mold.
They would march into any furnace at the
given unexplaining command OF consciepce.
Such grit their teeth and go IL blind. How
ever. these few are not the many. The
heart of humanity claims recompenSe and
intellectual satisfaction as 10 the outcome.
There is practical reason even in SUPER
natural religion.
LAWS OF MOSES.
Moses uttered stern and difficult laws
but always with undertone OF encour-
agement. He made duty, thorny enough
in itself always. just as alluring as facts
allowed. And the Supreme Master followed
the example. He ever heightened the lofty
laws OF Moses but He took care 10 appeal
TO normal human reason in all His imposi-
ton of duty.
I'm one great word the promise was moral
strength and development. IL was the en-
richment OF the interior life. External
riches might or might not come 10 a con-
scientious disciple: perhaps incessant oppo-
sition OF a crown of martyrdom might be
the visible reward for deyotement. In all
cases however, without any actual or con-
ceivable exception there was the increased
spiritual power that follows splendid
achievement or difficult REORGANIZATION.
This promise might not beguile tenth-rate
and s0rdid men. Most Of US are like chill
dren scarce out Of the nursery. and 10 coax
those little beings To any piece OF duty
there must be a toy or rocking horse actual
ly in sight. toy in the store is too far
away. Tell a mature man. who looks as IL
nothing Of the kindergarten hung about
him in his apparent majesty. that he will
be paid in gold coin III he deny his avarice
enough TO remain home from business I'm the
evening and romp little and get acquaint-
ed with his children, and NJ viii likely look
on the duty as good business investment.
There is gold coin in sight. But offer him
spiritual enlargement as a reward. and IL
looks too misty and ETHEREAL altogether 20
impose on his practical wisdom lie Is ac-
customed TO commercial standards New
ertheless. the pulpit must not embexzle the
people The advantages OF a close walk
with God and surrender OF pleasure al the
behest OF duty are spiritual rather than
temporal. atmospheric rather than mater
ialistic. All life. whether we will or no.
leads up toward brain, affection. foresight
and moral anil latiorss IL a man seorn
these he not Only refuses the Christ. -
forfeits his manhood