Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-09-02

OtflefS nave taken tnelr Hnu. mus,
when | 20 into the business world,
find thousands of modern Laodiceans
who care not how dishonest they are
II they do not fall into disrepute by
being more dishonest than their fel-
low men. The question OF right or
wrong enters not into their financial
makeup. The question with them Is.
lis 1t feasible. from n reputable busi.
ness mans standpoint. 10 steal this or
that or the other thing and not be so
cially dcgraded!"
Must De Positively Honest.
What Is true of some dishonest bust
ness men Is absolutely true In refer
ence to some dishonest political candi-
dates. see the political strife going
OH IN u large city. One Of the parties
has fallen into such disrepute that In
order to win at the polls Its leaders de-
eide TO nominate as candidate one
who In not OF their kind. So they go
and offer the nomination to well
known Christian church member. In
nine cases out of ten what does that
nominee dor Does he go to the polls
and bride votersi oh. no. That would
not be honest. But he does commit a
crime In the sight OF God which Is just
as heinous. Instead of coming out fiat
footed for an honest election he be-
comes modern political Laodicean.
He shuts his eyes to the dishonesties
that are being done In his name. He
says. Il am not responsible because
simply remain silent at this political
corruption" Now. my friends. these
teachings Of my text practically mean
this: 4 man must be positively honest
In all his financial dealings. He must
be positively honest In seeing that all
those who work In his name are acting
him. Mere negative responsibility In
Gods sight does not measure up to his
standard.
| find. too. that the appalling spiritual
ncgatlveness of the modern Lnodicean
Is most frequently demonstrated In
mans relation to the amusement ques-
ton. Where there Is one lukewarm
Christian who will dishonor Christ In
his financial dealings there are five.
ten. fifteen or even twenty who will
dishonor him when the days work Is
done or when out ON summer vaca-
ton. And the amusement sins OF the
American Laodicean ut home are as
nothing compared TO those American
I.aodiceans' sins when they are travel
Ing In Europe or Asia or In Africa or
in any foreign land. Let me illustrate
my thought to you In practical way.
We are American tourists In Spain,
or. bringing the statement little near
er home. in Mexico. Sunday morning
has rolled around. What are you go.
Ing TO do: VIII you attend the Prot
estant church. rs you would do II AT
home: NO" you say. II guess not.
! have tickets for the bullfght Why.
one OF the finest matadorcs In the
world Is going to fight today. will
never get another chance Ia see him.
Is that so: What II you do not get
another chance: Ought you TO 90 and
see one Of the most brutal exhibitions
In the world. where men and horses are
often horribly mangled! Because 9th.
er people do wrong In Spain and Mex
leo can you afford TO do wrong on the
question Of your vacation amuscments
Sunday nj home comes around. The
communion OF the Lords supper Is
10 be- celebrated at your church. A
party Of friends Is going down to the
beach. What are you going TO dol
Stay away and go to church. as you
ought. or go or on Sabbath desecra-
the largest Presbyterian churches OF
the west not only staying away from
church ON the Sabbath day. but when
the members Of his church were AS
,, sembllng for communion he rode past
that church on the top Of n tallyho to
take some Of his eastern friends out to
see the city sights. As a church off,
Ger. do you ever sin thus? Wednesday
| evening comes around. 1t Is prayer
meeting night. A card party or a
dance Is TO be given the same evening
| Which will you choose to attend
These illustrations are not imaginary.
These conditions meet us as church
members almost every month Of our
lives. In deciding how we shall solve
the amusement question. nearly all OF
us decide whether we will be positive
Christians or negative modern I.aodi-
ceans. cursed by Il lukewarm allegf-
ance to God Gods loathing for such
characters Is unmitigated. In effect.
he says: '''rhe murderer. the bias
phemer. the thief and the social out
cast are not so Injurious ms you are.
Men know them for what they are. but
you misrcprcscnt religion. you commit
the outrage OF misreprescnting me to
the world. You should be the light OF
the world. hut you are misleading
lights" Let mo read 10 you Gods own
words In reference to the ancient
| church OF IaOdIcea: 81 know thy