Morris tribune., 1906-04-14
CHURCH COLUMN
By j. c. shetland.
The Temptation.

Ships are tested before they are ac-
cepted by the Navigation Co., Bridges
are tested before the railway COM
pany will run heavy trains over them.
Cannon are tested before the govern
ment pays for them. Armor plating
is tested. This world is vast arena.
Everywhere are the smoke and dust
and tumult of battle. Every child is a
new born gladiator, who must learn to
give and take in the mighty conflict
of life. The young man must be
tested in business before the greater
responsibilities are intrusted to his
keeping. The politician is tested be-
fore the burdens of craftsmanship are
laid upon him. Our Heavenly Father
exposed his only begotten SON to
temptation before he went to his
greal life work. Life is test to each
of us. Shall we become like the
lotus eaters, with filed appetites,
sunken in pleasurable dreams, worth.
less to men and useless to God; or
shall each become christian Ulysses,
avoiding both rock and whirlpool,
resisting the song of the syren or the
arts of the enchanter, triumphant
over the power of Neptunes hatred,
reaching in safety the shore of our
heavenly home.
81 do not believe in a personal
Devil" You seem to be in variance
with the Scriptures. The evil spirit is
in this world and we feel it's effects.
If there were no personal devil there
is enough material to make several.
There are plenty of people who are
in that line of work. They are de-
grading, staining, destroying people.
Remember the Bible teaches of an
evil spirit and his work. Blot out
literal He'll and that will MT hinder
your feeling the scorching fires of re-
morse, of a COINCIDENCE gnawing like
an undying worm, of shame that
burns like fire. Then remember
that the Bible is describing a spiritual
state. It is fashionable to think of
the devil as coarse locking person
rugged out with hoofs and horns.
But the successful devil is an adept in
all the ways of polite society, so bland
and smooth and courteous that peo-
pie are completely deceived into
"there is no harm" Shake
speare says, "Seems a saint when
most he plays the devil". No one
will say Goethe is a theologian, but
see how Margaret is lured to her de-
struction through an appearance of
goodness the tempter is very far
from possessing. The same smooth
that ruined her have de-
stroyed multitudes.
I Jesus was tempted to use his pow
er to serve his own appetites When
he had tasted forty days, and was so
hungry that he dreamed of sweet
foods and of ravens feeding him as
they had fed Elijah, a friendly stranger
presented before him, according to
Milton's description banquet fit for
. king, and invited him to eat; but
Jesus knew "whoever eats the DEVILS
food must serve the devil'sS'
will" Our success is in having our
apppetites under the control of our
will. When appetite is the stronger
Esau may sell his birthright for
mess of pottage, or Jean Vatican may
break the higher laws to serve hunger,
Or the maiden sell her soul for a
norsel of bread.
IL Jesus was tempted in the use
Of his judgement. From the pinnacle
IF the temple which rises high above
5he depth to Kedron, "Cast thyself
lown". Set the laws of gravitation
aside for your own selfishness. So
we are tempted to create the need
ind then plead the promise of God |
20 the obedient. Shall we go among
;he dissolute and pray to be unstain-
sd?" ellie in the lap of sin and get
10 harm? 1t were enough to tempt
he very devil" Sit in the saloon |
lmong swearing, smut talking, drink
ng men and pray, "Lead me not into
Like Schiller's driver
NO wave ever brings the lost youth
% the Shore"
III. Jesus was tempted in his pass
ons. Milton describes the scene .
rom the hign mountain, the smooth
assumption that one to be a king is
% learn diplomacy and the arts of
to possess the Parthian
'ower, to remove Nero by an un
crime and give the world
,etter administration. How often
loes Satan tempt those who have a
passion for power to think ssThe end