The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-08
RELIGIOUS THOUGHT.
Gems Cleaned From the Teachings of
All Denominations.

There is no better test of Christian
character than conducting business in
a wicked city.-Rev. o. H. Phillips,
| Disciple, Braddock, Pa.
THE SOUL.
| Conscious of its greatness, in its bet
ter hours the soul is also conscious of
its need. Like a sweet singing bird.
the soul peeps through the bars of its
cage of clay, calling across the dis
lance and the night for its mate. Chill
ed by earth's winter, frosted by earth's
unkindness, it looks with longing eyes
toward some summerland of perpetual
song.-Rev. F. F. Shannon, Methodist,
Harrisburg. Pa.
NARROwNESS.
There is a narrowness that is to be
| condemned. 1t can see nothing good
outside of its own little circle. 1t
wants all the cloth that come from the
looms of human thought to be meas
ured by its yardstick and cut accord
ing to its pattern and sewn on its ma
chine. That is the narrowness of
bigotry, and 1 am glad it is flying away
on the wings of the swift years.-Rev.
R. F. Coyle. Presbyterian, Denver.
THE TONIC OF HOPE.
Is there one among you who is cast
down and discouraged? Has the way
seemed rough, the burden heavy?
Have you been thwarted, opposed and
perhaps inclined med to give up? Take
lucem! Per aspera ad astra! By the
rough road to the stars! I hear the
songs of heaven coming this way. I
see the light streaming through the
gates. The odors of the kings garden
flow toward us. o the hosannas and
halleluiahs, The glory dazzles like a
sunburst! Lifei LifeI Eternal life!-
Rev. David James Burrel, New York.
SPIRITUAL SUCCESS.
Here are four sources of success set
in contrast-blood, will of the flesh,
will of man and God. At first sight
they are equal, but a second sight re-
IsJ he for 11nf
between heredity and environment on
the one hand and faith in God on the
other. This contrast implies, though
does not state, that the one true sue
cess is spiritual success and for this a
secret power is to be furnished. Power
in life means all the way through to
the final, a victory over difficulties, and
difficulties cannot be ultimately over
Rev. r. A .McFadden, Presbyterian,
Danvers, Mass.
FAITH CONSTRUCTIVE.
Faith builds our institutions. is the
motor spring of all achievements, the
drive wheel of progress, the propelling
force that moves the world. Its cur
rents flash along a million wires and
pulsate through the deepest seas. 1t
pierces Inountai,ls, spans ocean wastes,
connects continents and explores
worlds. The great men of the world
discovererS fnven' ors, reformers, men
of action, leaders of the race-have
been men Of "a tn. Their souls were
charged with heroic trust in God and
not in men. World builders are those
who, putting aside caution, went for
ward reckless of personal security,
willing to make enemies, willing even
to give their lives, because conscious
that divine hand was leading them
Rev T. H. Shinn, Universalist. Foston. |
CHARACTER.
The roots of a great character |
spread out like the roots of a great |
tree, 10000 f1laments drawing their
virtue from the dark earths and Sc |
cret springs and yielding each its prop |
er increment to that great strength |
with which the tree or character |
filings wide its branches and defies the |
storm. Men and women are best |
known as they are most surely fash |
Toned by such little seemingly petty |
actions as the breaking of bread or |
the making of it or the tasks necessary |
for the honest earning of it. because