Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-10-05
Duct his Belief VIII afrect HIS conduct

emily realms, He will put him out OF
his misery, annihlate him, the ten
dency will be for him to throw himself
into the flood of activity, whatever its
character, which promises him the full
est and most satisfactory return to his
present selfish ambition. Such attl-
tudes Of mind. with their baneful re-
suits, are all too common. The thought
of the Judgment CT God in absolute
equity in the eternal existence of the
soul is q most admirable and effective
check upon all such human prcSump-
ton. Well may we pray with the
Psalmist, Keep back thy servant also
from presumptuous sins; let th"m NOT
have dominion over me.
The baneful results referred to rive
illustrations in every field OF endeaVor.
In no other way can | account Tor 1he
astonishing attitude of people Wlloln
7 am meeting often-not bad, vicious
people. either-but folks who are utter
ly careless and Indifferent in relation
to this duty or that: the moral ana
religious instruction of their children.
Sabbath observance. the payment OF
bills due. the speaking of the unblcm-
ished truth the holding OF malice
against fellow Christians; in perfect
calmness men will argue in cNtenuatlon
of any sin in the catalogue. Then,
there is popular feeling that a man
TO get along must have pull thar-
acter, ability, the whole moral ana
practical capacity of the individual, are
discounted. This feeling is so current
that YOU may hear it expressed any
n rprpntlV
from different sources, in one case en-
pressed by a man, in the other by Il
woman. In both instances, children
are being reared, reared and trained
by professcd Christians IN that atmoS-
pbere. Most cmphatically. | resort
and condemn such an attitude on the
part of any. especially Christians 1t IS
snecious. vicious, disastrous. "Fuii
may secure place among men, but
character and ability only bring honor.
Some men may be tardy IN recognizing
worth. God Is not. His Judgments
are based on character. Again, in buSi-
ness il has come to pass that TOO o1tch
any legal means is considered luSt'lla-
bic. according as you put something
in. the greater will he your dividends
of salvation" one man OF enormous
wealth and extensive business inter
ests is reported to have said. That
something" which you put in is not
money, or words. or deeds. These one
or all. may he a symbol of that some
thing" The thing put in must ne n
snlf-surrcndpr to God, IN acceptance
of the Divine will as our standard OF
conduct. II Mr.. Rockefeller is dPstl'
tute of this disposition of moral self
surrender. all his great gifts are not
sufficient to win Divine approval
None can buy the Gift of God. Eod IS
too rich to sell. and man is too poor 10
buy. ANY mans gifts may indet" br.
come an obstacle TO favor with hod
in that they may promote con"cit "l
srIf-ri.htcOuSnpSS such It's certain an
cient pharSccS had. 1t is worse thaI
useless for man to make IN" chilrth
his hobby il he gouges his follnW-mtn
in business every chance he gets. he
not dccrived.' Remember the harvest
and he heCdful Of the sowing.
There are men active in political lie
professed Christians. who, according III
rumor-in some instances the rNm"l
has been proved fact IN court-arr INC
REGIMENTS of peculiar favorS popuIarly
known as graft" It's custom. oth'
crs do it. they say. Yes, and it's il
legal. dishonest: it's perjury. too. See
rotary BOnNpartc does well to INSIST
that this species of dishonesty Is a
grave menace to the nation. TIL" book
saws BE not deceived" ! speak to
Young men. Some of you may hoid
political position, rs you now mona n"Si'
ness places of responsibility. | SPEAK
forccfully. for | know your p"HSih''
foundations Abhor any moral COM
promise in politics. in business or III
social life. The man who leads Il
double life is doomed man. He may
not be condemned to prison by jury
Of his peers; his integrity may escape
question because of prevailing ANiiE
or personal shrcwdnesS. But. lie not
deceived: God is rot Knocked. Is,
sire YOUR sin will find YOU out All
souls reap. gathering as they nave
sown. Thank cod, tht'' ar" m' II
many of them here and ,NeryWner"
who are above rcprOarh. May lhcii
tribe increase.
So we deceive ourselves. In our sell
drceiv d state, We may lint Sn't oi
comfort: we are with the crowd "ul
chances are as good as another'S: wei
turn over Il new leaS. now or hereafter
God Is not mocked.' We cannot treat
God coutcmptuouSly, rs W" may ON
fellows. AS truly rs seed brings liEt
harvest so truly our dcrision OF Eoo
resolves itself into despair. The Insult
to Deity always revertS 10 the inSnltcr
Men must not find comfort III INK
thought that such wllful disorder OF
their part can produce order hereafter
II the sowing he sin, disorder. the reap
ing must be confusion.
Christianity offers humanity Its
greatest conceivable opportunity. bu
humanity must embrace the "ppoitun
itX