Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-01-28
TO those which prepare for business. Our

to those which prepare for business. Our
theatres have felt the influence, and think
more of pieces which will draw than of
those which will elevate as well as amuse
and recreate those who see and hear.
YEA it is conceivable that even the
c.urch may not escape. The ministry
that sets gain above usefulness has caught
the contagion. "Put me into the priesthood
that may eat piece of bread!" So cried
one of old The very thought was desc.
Grafton. The ministry that is sought. Tor
the sake of ''the pieces of bread" fol-, a live.
lihood, whether it be large or small, is a
ministry not to God, not to those among
holds it.. The clergy who are in orders
chiefly for what they can win in the way
of comfort, or responsibility or income are
unfit for their place. They serve not God
c" their fellows, but themselves. And SO
the church whose chief aim is a large pew
rental and fashionable congregation.-for-
getting the while that the Masters boast
preached, is tarred with the same stick.
Yes, commercialism is in the air, 1t -
the spirit that now works-that stealthily
pcnetrates every d ,nartment of modern ac-
tivity, always seeking to make gain the
dominant motive. There is no line of work,
no business, no profession safe against Its
insidious influence. 1t invades law and
meulClne, even ulNinlJN, as we nave sceH.
1t is felt in halls of legislation and seats OF
government. Yea, it pervades even 80.
ciety, making the fine raiment and the gold
ring and the large bank account more pc.
Ent to open doors than gentle birth and
fine breeding
How are we to resist this Influences
cape this spirit? just as we resist the con-
tagion of an epidemic, the depression Of
malaria, by fortifying the powers of life.
A in ,rbc,,, fho lido of 1ifo ic fi11 and
strong will walk unscathed through the
plague laden air. The health that is in
him resists the disease that rushes upon
him. The bacteria that floats into throat
or lung, or stomach finds no indus and
dies. 1t must be thus, then, that we es'
cape the spiritual danger. Fortify the life
within. Remember that life is more than
righteousness are infinitely worthy of our
seeking. Do not forget the possibilities of
your lie. what you can make of it in the
way Of growth what you can make of 1t IN
the way Of usefulness. Keep your eye on
the Master In Him see what you may be
in Him see what you may do. Yea, not
only keep your eye on Him, but keep in
living touch with Him. that the tides of
His life may flow into your soul, and carry
you on and up TO the measure of the stat
ure of the perfect man in Christ Jesus.
Finally, my hrethren. whatsoever things
are honest - whatsoever things are Just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely. whatsoever things are of
good report, think on these things Turn
Your thought and your eyes away from the
dazzling bait of the age. Escape its snare.
Seek first the kingdom of God. Determine
to be a man, mentally, morally, spiritually;
determine to be a brother to your fellow
man, and do for him brothers part; do
terninc to lie child of the heavenly
Father and obey His will. so far rs you
know it; resolve that in you the splendid
possibilities hidden in the gift of life shall
be realized. and You shall have learned
how to use this world without abusing il.
Then commerce, business, success shall
minister to you but not enslave you; shall
embel,ish your life but not absorb it; shall
bring you, perchance, an abundance OF
things to possess, but leave the while
strong ard pure within YOU the life of
God. Then sh,.ll You in very deed possess
the abundance Of the things which are
yours Let them once get the better Of
vpu, climb into the throne OF your heart
aud life. and then they possess You and
YOU are their Sla'-c and their victim; nailed
and incohined IN your own strong box
which has, a'as with your treasure, shut
in your soul a'so.