The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-01-28

to dominate every sphere of human activ.
ity. We read OF commercalism in politics,
in art, in literature, in education, IN the So
cial world. even in religion, and though we
may not have 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 what he
can make and not what he can do: the art
ist who listens not to the voice OF his ideals
but to the bids OF the market, and paints
or caryes simply for the money to be got:
the author who writes simply what. will
sell and forgetS the truth Tor 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 cCmmerclailsm. 1t
has crept even into our universities, tempt
ing boards of trustees and faculties TO bow
too subsequently to those who can furnish
endowments. tempting the young man to
turn from courses that cultivate the mind
to those which prepare for business. Our
theatres have felt the influence, and think
more of pieces which will draw than or
those which will elevate as well as amuse
and recreate those who see and hear.
Yea. it is conceivable that even the
c.lurch may not escape. The ministry
that sets gain above usefulness has caught
the contagion. Put me into the priesthood
one OF o.d. The very thought was a desc
Grafton. The ministry that is sought for
the sake OF the pieces OF bread for live
lihood. whether it be large OF 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 respectablhty OF income are
unfit Tor their place. They s.re not God
c. their fellows, but themselves. And so
the church whose chief aim is a large pew
getting the while that the Masters boast
was that to the poor the gospel was
preached, is tarred with the same stick.
Yes, commerciaiism Is in the air. 1t Is
the spirit that now works-that steaithily
penetrates every department or 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. Iea. 1t pervades even So
ciety, making the fine raimept 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 inffuence-cs-
cape this spirit! Just as we resist the con-
tagion OF an epidemic, the depression OF a
malaria, by fortifying the powers OF life:
4 man in whom the tide Of life is full and
strong will walk unscathed through the
him resists the disease that rlshes 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
meat; that the kingdom of God and His
righteousness are infinitely worthy of our
seeking. Do not forget the possibilities OF
your lie, what you can make OF 1t 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
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.
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
Seek first the kingdom of God. Determine
to be man. mentally, morally, spiritually;
determine to be brother to your fellow
man, ard do for him brothers part; de-
termine to be child of the heavenly
Father and obey His will. so far as you
know it; resolve that in you the splendid
possibilities hidd len 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 enslave you; shall
embeilish 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
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 incoffined in your own strong box
which has. alas. with your treasure, shut