The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-02-10

endownsents. tempting thesyoung man. to
turn from courses that cultivate the mind
to those which prepare for business. Our
tneat tres have felt the influence, and think
mere Of pieces which will draw than OF
those which will elevate as well as amuse
and recreate, those who see and hear.
2 Yea, it is conceivable that even the
cAurch may not escape. The ministry
that sets gain above usefulness has caught
the contagion. Put me into the priesthood
that I may eat piece Of bread!" So cried
one of old. The very thought was desc
Grafton. The ministry that is sought for
the sake of ':the pieces Of bread" for a live
lihood. whether it be large or small, is a
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 respectability or income are
unfit for their place. They serve not God
60 their fellows, but themselves, And 80
rental and fashionable congregation--for.
getting the while that the Masters boast
was that to the poor the gospel was
preached, is tarred with the same stick.
Yes, commercialism is in the air. 1t is
the spirit that now works-that stealthily
penetrates every .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
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 Influences.
cape this spirit? Just as we resist the con.
tagion of an epidemic, the depression Of a
malaria, by fortifying the powers OF hte;
A man in whom the tide of life Is full 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
| dies. It must ,ibe 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
way of growth, what you can make of it in
the way of usefulness. Keep your eye on
the Master. In Him see what you may be
lin Him see what you NAV do. Yea, not
only keep your eye on Hin. Sas aI;saps k;ssep e e
living IbOuCul Will I1luI, Ghdtl shC shoSoH Va
His life may foweinto your soul and carry
you on and up Il" the measure of the stat
ure of the perfect man in Christ Jesus.
Finally, my brethren, 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 man, mentally, morally, spiritually;
determine to be brother to your fellow
man, and do for him brothers part; de-
ternine to be a 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 mot enslaye you; shall
embellish your life but not absorb it; shall
bring you, perchance, an abundance. Of
things to possess but leave the while
strong and pure within yod> 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
you, climb into the throne of your heart
and Life, and then they possess you and
you are their slave and their victim; nailed
and incofined in your own strong box
which has, alas, with your treasure, shut
in your soul also.