The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-02-04

to dominate every sphere Of human s.ctiv-
ity. We read OF commerelallsrn IN politics,
in art, in literature, in education, in the So
cial world, even in religion, and though we
may not have a distinct definition ready
we have a fairly clear idea of what IS
meant. The place holder in nation or city
or State whose main thought is wnat ne
can make and not what he can do; the art
list who listens not to the voice of his ideals
but to the bids of the market, and paints
or carves simply for the money to be got;
the author who writes simply what will
sell and forsets the truth for which ne
ought to stand and the service IN the way
of instruction. or comfort, or amusement
which he might minister to his fellows, is
each one tainted with coJnmerclallsm. 1t
has crepS even into cur universities, tempt
ing boards Of trustees, and faculties 20 bow
too subsequently to those VINO can furnish
endowmerts. tempting the young man to
turn from courses that cultivate the mind
to those which prepare for business. Oar
theatres have felt the influence. and think
more OF pieces which will draw than of
those which will elevate as we'll as amuse
and recreate those who see and hear.
Yea, it is conceivable that even the
cAurch may not escape. The ministry
that sets gain above usefulness has caught
that t aS may eat piece bic W Of T bread!. " So cried
one OF Old. The very thought was de;ze-
Grafton. The ministry that is sought ior
the sake OF . the pieces of bread' for a live
lihood, whether it be large Or small, is
ministry not to God, not to those among
whom it is exercised, but to the man that
holds it. The clergy who are. in orders
chiefly for what they can win in the way
OF comfort, or respectabil or income are
unfit for their place. They serve not God
~. tboir fellows h,,t themselves And so
the church whose chief aim is a large pew
rental and fashionable congregation--for-
getting the while that the Masters boast
was that to the poor the gospe! was
preached, is tarred with the same stick:
Yes, commercialism is in the air. It is
the spirit that now works-that stea!thily
peneirates every ,nartment of modern ac-
tivity, always seeking to make gain the
dominant motive. There is no line OF work,
insidious influence. It invades law and
medicine, even divinity. as We have seen.
1t is felt in halls of legislation and seats of
government. Yea, It pervades even so.
ciety, making the fine raiment and the gold
ring and the large bank account more po--
tent to open doors than gentle birth and
fine breeding.
How are we to resist this inhuence-es-
cape this spirit: Just as we resist the con-
tagion of an epidemic, the depression Of
malaria. by fortifying the powers Of life:
strong will walk unscathed through the
plague laden air. The health that is in
him resists the disease that rushes upcE
him. The bacteria that floats into throat
or lung, or stomach finds no indus and
dies It must be thus. then, that we es-
cape the spiritual danger. Fortify the life
within. Remember that life is more than
meat; that the kingdom of God and His
Righteousness are infinitely worthy of our
seeking. Do not forget the possibilities of
your life, what you can make of it in the
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 brethren, whatsoever things
are honest - whatsoever things are just.
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 brother to your fellow
man, and do for him brothers part; de-
ter11ine to be child of the heavenly
Father and obey His will, SO far as 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 it.
Then commerce. business, success shall
minister to you but not ens,ave YOU; shall
enbellish your life but not absorb it.: shall
bring you, perchance, an abundance. of
things to possess, but leave the while
strong and pure within you the life of
God. Then shall you in very deed possess
the abundance of the things which are
yours. Let them. once get the better of
yoa, climb into the throne of your heart
and life. and then they possess you and
you are their slave and their victim; nailed
and incohined in your own strong box
in your soul also.