The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-07

souls relation to the Infinite than about
the state of the stock market is Moth
ing less than plain fool. 1t does not
occur to them that perhaps they are
fools for the highest capability of the
human mind is to be concerned over the
big questions that have to do with the
spirit and with eternity. There is little
hope for the mere sordid materialist.
who never has a thought above his
stomach or his pocket 1t will be a sad
day for the world when it ceases to have
Peters arising with their perpetual
spiritual problems.
= Study in Contrasts.
The Bible contrasts mans way of
dealing with an enemy and debtor
with Gods way. A man once wrote a
book entitled, IF I were God" I know
nothing about the book but the title IS
suggestive. because the audacious pro-
position of Jesus was nothing less than
th~t men should act as If they were
God. The way of the Father is meant
to be the way for his children. So Jesus
related this parable.
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven
Hkened unto certain king. which
would make reckoning with his ser
wants. And when he had begun TO
reckon, one was brought unto him,
which owed him ten thousand talents
But forasmuch as he had not where
with to pay, his lord commanded him
to be sold and his wife and children,
and all that he had. and payment to be
made The servant therefore fell down
and Worshipped him, saying, Lord. have
patience with me. and I will pay thee
all. And the lord of that servant, be-
ing moved with compassion. released
him and forgave him the debt But
that servant went out, and found one
of his fellow servants. which owed him
a hundred pence. and he laid hold on
him and took him by the throat, say
ing, Pay what thou owest. So his
fellow-servant fell down and besought
him. saying. Have patience with me,
and I viii pay thee. And he would not
but went and cast him into prison,
till he should pay that which was due
So when his felloW-servants saw what
was done they were exceeding sorry,
and came and told unto their lord ali
that was done. Then his lord called
him unto him. and saith to him, Thou
wicked servant, I forgave thee all that
debt because thou besoughtest me;
shouIdst not thou also have had mercy
on thy fellow-servant, even as I had
mercy on thee? And his lord was wroth,
and delivered him to the tormentors,
till he should pay all that was due So
shall also my heavenly Father do unto
you. if We forgive not every one his
brother from your hearts,.
The Biggest Debt we Owe.
This story hinges on the contrast in
the two debts One man owed, ap-
proximately. ten million dollars, the
other man owed seventeen dollars. The
idea in the mind of the teller of the
story doubtless. was to convey an
impression OF the ratio between the
debts Of man to his Maker and the
debts of man to man. The magnitude
Of the obligations which God cancels
shows his magnanimity. It is hopeless
for mortal to think of paying his debts
to God. They are beyond measure or
estimate. AS we look at them. looming
large like mountains. we perceive with
new clearness the patience and compass
sion of the merciful Father in heaven
with his erring children.
It is always the biggest debts that
we cannot pay. A man may pay his
grocer and his butcher. but never car
he repay his parents his friends, his
teacher, his school. his church. the so
ciety in which he dwells or the period
of civilization upon which he has fallen
It is to such as these that our greatest
debts are owing. A lifetime of unset
fish service cannot suffice to recon-
pense for them. However Independent
a mans spirit may be- he must face
the fact that he is hopelessly in debt
to his time. The demand that each
person should use his life in self-de-
nying service to his fellows is no mere
Christian Utopian dream Of sacrifice
it is a plain requirement of honor.
! A Mean Mans Method.
The forgiven debtor as soon as he
! was released, had his fellow slave BY
the throat-and it is to be noted thai
rne man not only owed ten million dol
lars to his master but he owed him
( self also, for he was but a slave, a bii
/ If property. Probably this migrate
never thought of the incongruity of his
action. 1t would be wholesome for Us
J