The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-01
The Voice Of
The People
NOTHING NEW. A LAY SERMON
CONCLUDED,

NOTHING NEW. LAY SERMON
CONCLUDED,
Editor Providence Newsi
could easily write several more
articles regarding the many things dis
cussed In the Old Testament, which to-
new thoughts. Not being familiar with
holy writ, many writer's often imagine
they are preaching and teaching new
doctrines. when they are. to uso an ex-
pressive phrase. ss old az the hills. II
we take our Saviour's incompatible
story OF the Prodigal Son and search
ancient records we shall find that IL Is
not merely the way OF many OF our
young Americaps today. but was trus
Of the youns men Of ancient times. thou
sands Of years before our Divine Master
so simply. beautifully and cogently told
tho best story that ever came from
human lips or flowed from the most
gifted writer's pen.
Again. the celebrsted saying OF st.
James. The hove OF money is the root
of all evil" was undoubtedly borrowed
phrase. but put IN a far more beau
tiful dress after the manner OF Shakes
peare.
Why. even the golden rule was bor-
rowed by Jesus, but SO amended beau
tined and phrased that 10 scars shove the
original. uttered hundreds and probably
thousand OF years previous; yes, towers
above all former golden rules as Mount
Washington towers above the rAst OF
New Hampshire, or as the heavens are
above the earth.
Bacop's famous sentence, knowledge
Is power" Is borrowed from solomon
Don't become discouraged therefore,
because your imaginary new things are
ancient. BE content TO clothe the thought
Ia a nav gown-phrase
Omitting scores OF quotations upon
other subjects let US come TO our closing
subject so often advanced OF late as
something new In the line OF ethical
ideas the idea OF being so filled with hon-
neDs or Wilderness interchangeable
terrns) as TO leave no room In the soul
for things not whole, but cracked and
broken; or IN other words. 50 filled with
Righteousness. goodness. kindness or love
(four interchangeable words) that there
will be no room for hate. envy or other
evil thoughts.
omnting several appropriate quota
tlons from the Old Testament. ! call at
tention TO Jesus declaration. Blessed
are they that do hunger and thirst after
righteousness, for they shall be filed"
r'illed with what? Why, filled with
righteousness; that 10. so filed with
goodness that no evil can find any lodge
ment In the soul. A little thought will
soon convince the average man that
Righteousness, (Which impels and COM
pels It's possessor 10 do just right and
is therefore termed righteousness) 10 one
OF the greatest blessings that our
heavenly Father ever showsred upon any
human soul.
The term righteousness may be even
better understood by using the word
love. Love worketh no al to his neigh
Dor. therefore love In the fulfilling OF
the law" For all the law is fulfilled
In one word, even In this, thou shalt
love thy ueighbor as thyself." Such
man cannot wrong his neighbor. why7
Because as SO plainly evident. II is
utterly impossible for him TO entertain
or think so much as an evil thought
harbor an evil thought against himself
when be loves his neighbor precisely as
he loves himself.
Paul tells US that We are justified lthat
IL made just right 10y faith In just
things: for by faith are we saved. Man
is not saved by good works; IN fact.
such thought is purely absurd, siry!
We are saved from Sin by faith or love
finter rchangeable terms) because faith or
love OF goodness makes us good, faith In
truth makes US thoughtful, dove Of Christ
makes us Chrietiike. faith OF love OF
Kindness makes us kind. The love OF
rropay ,xhtch Ja4raeS tails ,ts ts the root
OF all evfD makes US greedy, selfish. Our
Saviour tells Us that the condemnation
Is not IN being in the midst OF Sin and
darkness. brt In loving darkness rather
than light: that 10. IL is the thing we
love which determines our acts. Faith
In generosity makes us generous.
1t is wholly impossible for o man 10 be
good. truthful. charitable and noble un.
,ess he has faith IN those qualities.
the world 20 cite one instance
of a man who was ever saved by good
works. for good works are not possible
without love Of or faith in good works.
which always follow faith. Faith with
,ut works is dead: that is. has no exist
,nce. however great the pretense.
Again. Paul tells us that the man full
,f faith IN goodness IL dead 10 SIN. snj
ne exclaims. How shall We. that are
Head 20 sin. live any longer therein
gain. ne exciaims DO we make void
he law, trnoraI iaw) through faith7 Cod
'oroid Yea. we establish the law
Now Paul has been an evil. blood
h.rsty prosecutor; but after becoming
,ure. holy. good. he says; Tho NE
which ] now live. live by the fsith of
he con OF God" Christ would have been
ust like other men. but for his faith or
owe. one more quotation from Paul.
f<x~ss -. n