Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-04-13
|57flz \ POPULAR
81 PULPIT |

ed depends rs much upon ones knowl-
edge Of music as upon the execution OF
the musicians. A very fine concert
once was spoiled FOR barber i'll the
audience because right in the range of
lis vision was person with badly
combed hair Tie barber was so dis
tressed by the sight Tat the finest
nl1sic had no such charms for him as
for the rest of the people. The force
Of literary or scientific illusions in a
discourse depends upon the education
of the hearers How differently the
same picture will affect different peo-
pie, according - their artistic tastes.
An exceedingly delicate painting rep
resenting Joan of Arc among the
trees, listening to angel voices, evoked
most appreciatiye words from many
who studied the picture; but one in the
company remarked, 81 guess that girl
is stealing apples"
III the religious realm the angel
voice is unheard or is but noise to
some people; talk Of the headings Of
the spirit is Greek TO them. The spir-
itual realm is a blank TO them. Why?
For the same reason that Greek is
blank to them; they are not cultlvat-
inG this realm; God is not in all their
thoughts. Now, t.ir important thing
to realize is that our inner states de-
teTmiRe here, as in art or music. the
dlfferelt impressions made can by
~ ~
states are not primarily due 10 acct
dents of nature IT variations of indi-
viduaity. but are principally the re-
suits of the choices and occupations to
which we give ourselves. Whatever
absorbs us developes that side of our
nature, shutting out other interests;
and this development is gradual. in
harmony with certain laws of growth.
Now, the serious phase of this sub
ject is the danger of an atrophy of the
spiritual sense. mans highest faculty.
that side of our nature which holds
communion with God and enables MS to
hear the higher voices and brings us
into touch with the priceless realities
of the kingdom of heaven.
BY disuse or misuse mans religious
faculties become stunted and impotent.
In childhood they are tolerably active
and vigorous: trus. hope, love, prayer
and conscience play considerable part
in young lives. But if in maturing
years they are neglected because of
absorption in something else, they grow
weak as truly as do any unexercised
physical muscles.
Now. this is a matter which vitality
concerns us, for man is a spirit and
he has a body. There is an alarming
tendency among us to starye ourselves
in our engrossment with business. So
ciety, dress and pleasure. The atrophy
of the spiritual nature is an irrepara-
BILE loss for it is a loss of the things
that make for salvation and character,
for God. heaven and Immortality 1t
is fundamental loss, touching our
very structure, the very image of God
within us.
If we would hear the higher voices
we must believe in them. taking time
to be reflective and Gavout. sacredly
holding to our reasons for spiritual cul-
ture. Mr.. Gladstone is a strong exam
pie Of Il busy man scrupulously caring
for his religious nature, for sixty years
of manhood keeping his church devo-
lions III the forefront of his daily life,
showing the world the good old way
indeed, the only way-to grow strong
toward God. AS his recent biographer
says, Immersed in active responsible
ties for momentouS secular things. he
never lost the breath of what was to
him a divincr ether. He was always
true to the grandeur of Goethe's words:
In Wilderness. goodness. truth. strenu-
ously to live.
Like England's grand old man."
and like the best people of all lands
and times. we should observe Sunday
as the souls brooding day. using the
appointed hours of public and private
worship to cleanse away the CRIME of
life. enabling the soul to take its OBJ
servations and lay out life's voyage to
the desired haven. May the Lenten
season now opening likewise be used to
the utmost by us to minister to these
high and holy ends of life.