The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-05-21
TAI.MA(7T =
SERMON
By Rev.
FRANK DE WITT TELMHGE, DID,.
Pastor Of Jefferson Park Presby-
terrain Church, Chicago


relation to his Divine Creditor, tc
whom he owes not only a full and
grateful acknowledgment of immeasur.
able obligation, but such loyal and
loving surrender of his life and actions
to the divine will as shall prove the
genuineness of his professions The
text is Matthew xxi, q. Render unto
God the things that are Gods"
Many people talk as if this world
was full of rogues l do not believe
any such charge. There is more hon
esty in the world than it gets credit
for. Indeed, it is my belief that most
people are honest, that most people
want to do right. This is not world
of hypocrites All men are not scoun-
drels. When, in 1179, the statement
was made in the British parliament
that every man had his price and that
all men could be bribed, a statesman
arose and said: "That charge is not
true. Benedict Arnold might become
traitor, but there are many generals
in the American army whom all the
money in King Georges treasury can
not buy" II you have not found this
kind of world, there is something
wrong with your own principles. The
man who declares that all men are
rogues at heart is practically making
confession of his own dishonesty. If
you tell me that all men cheat. con-
clude that you yourself would cheat
If you had the chance. 1t sometimes
takes thief, to catch a thief.
II most people We're not honest it
would be difficult to explain some of
the customs Of the business world. In
many of our cities lunch buffets have
been started, where you can go to a
large counter and help yourself. You
can eat as much as you want. Practi-
caliy no one watches you. The pro-
prietor leaves it to your own honesty
to tell how much you owe. Does not
this prove that most people are honest?
In the streets of New York, Philadel-
phia and Chicago stands are placed.
Upon these stands are piled the morn
ing newspapers. You walk up to a
stand and take the paper you wish.
You leave your money upon the stand
and go off. Often no one watches you
Would the news dealer thus leave his
stand If he had not learned by expert
ence that most people are honest?
In Rome my mother some years ago
was examining a piece Of jewelry
Before deciding to buy she wished her
daughters to see the same The pro-,
prietor Of the establishment immedi-
atelv wrapped up the article and hand
ed 1T to her. He told my mother that
she could take it to the hotel and there
decide what she wished to do. But"
answered mother. lis this safe for you
to do? You do not know me. Can
you trust all your customers like this?"
''Yes." answered the proprietor. sit is
safe. | know you are an American
lady. No American lady has ever yet
deceived US when we trusted her. We
will take the risk" Does not that
prove that most people are honest?
A Bill Presented. r-~.
Taking this premise. then, for grant
I'd. shall boldly present to you bill
which know you will try to pay. 1t
S from my Lord and Master It is
statement of the debt which every
nan. woman and child. to more or less
,xtent. owes to God. l do not demand
payment of it. for it is greater than
N earth a thousand years and worked
is hard as you could; but | want you
o feel your obligations and to resolve |
hat you will do all that is in your
'ower to show your gratitude to your
Heavenly Father for all the mercies |
nd comforts with which he has sur
ounded you during your life. There
ore. what you are to do, you must |
tart to do right away. and in order to |
10 it, you must serve Christ from now |
n with your whole heart. /
A big bill for good health is charged |
lp against most of us in the divine |
adger. We may be growing old now
nd have here and there a rheumatic |
winge; we may be unable to eat as
earthly of indigestible foods as we
id when young. or to work as rapidly |
r as long, but most of US have had |
ears and years of good health. We
ave had years with two stout lungs
nd two keen eyes and with good di-
estive organs and good nerves. Now
ONES the question: What have we
ccomplished with this God given bless
lg called good health? Have we done
nything more with it than to eat and
eep, and. brutelike, physically to en-
~ ourselves? Have we placed that
God health at the service of the Mas
II, as we know we ought to have
one? If You had been very sick and
should come into the room just after
he crisis was past, and say, We'll.
[r. So-and-so, how are you feeling
day.? You would answer. -''Thank
cd, I am better; hope | shall soon
E WELL" you give by that answer all
le credit of your eonvalescence and
ealth to God. Can it be that God is
Dt expecting you to do anything for