The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-12-13

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valiant for the truth until righteous
ness shall prevail. The Christ was
pce-eminently faithful. His was the
incorruptible devotion to the de-
mands of duty which should be the
ideal of us all. To Him we must turn
do we wish to see the ideality of ser
vice. From Him must we learn would
we get the wisdom that shall gain us
our ambitions goal. Sitting at the
feet OF the Master do we enter into
knowledge of fine fidelity which
commands respect.
Earnestness, intenseness: direct
ness, faithfulness-these are .he four
words that point the lesson for us
now. To Christians and to the Christ
less souls OF the universe of God, the
Saviour is the, interpreter of the
salient qualities that are necessary
for a life's successes. He it is who
illustrates and obiectifles for us what
our lives should be.
The need for these cardinal virtues
was never more evidentor we'll voiced
than in this day. In the world of
business they are no less needed tLan
in those religious spheres where
moral and spiritual verities are up
permost. The necessity for the cxer-
else OF these qualities that make for
manly might is everywhere apparent.
To the man who would attain busi-
ness predominance and commercial
power they are invaluable and indis-
pensable. Deduct the moral GRIM
lnality which has made possible the
success of many OF the industrial and
financial leaders Of our day and the
fact that their influence is largely
based upon indom!table pluck and
energy and dutifulness still outstands
all else. Backbone and push have
been the reason for the rapidity in
advancement of throng. A cleah
bulls eye gains applause for the nan
with the band and the true sight.
Djrectness brings to man the con-
fdence of the crowd. Half-heated,
poo~ly-fred, swaving, swerving, ir-
enough to be true to anything tor
any considerable length of time nev-
er reach the top. never attain, never
are lifted to a place Of power. The
world has small use for moral weak
lirgs or men without spunk and
grit. at the front.
These characteristics which We
have denominated as among the dis
tinguishing features in the Christ's
career are most essential, however, to
the man who would reach the highest
usefulness and be most a blessing in
the world Needfu1 as these quail
ties may. be to those who would De
famed for physical and material
achievement they are still more re-
Quisite for those who desire spiritual
graces. Especially are they compul-
sorry and mandatory for those who
have not acknowledged Christ and
would wish to call Him Lord. The
souls restoration depends entirely
upon the willingness of the sinner 10
seek salvation earnestly and in faith.
Spiritual baptism is the gift Of the
Father to those only who come
straight to the point. Excuses and
attempts a. palliation of our personal
guilt merely delay the crisis. EX-
tenuation and mitigation are Of zone
avail. Decisive and conclusive yield
ing OF the heart to the Master is the
one concession that will bring spir-
itual surcsase from the woe Of a
wicked life Earnest endeayor to be
faithful to the trust of the Christian
Sonship gives growth and greatness
il the spiritual life.
These gospels from the life of our
Lord have special bearing upon the
activities of the church. The church
of Christ is not SO earnest, not so in
tense, not so faithful, as she should
be in the spreading of the seed OF
salvation. The church has lessened
tacks upon the strongholds of sin.
We have been conlenI with medioc-
rity while the devil has gained as
tendance. The church, to be the
agent for godlinese tfat she is called
upon to be, must get down to busi-
ness. Half-heartedness puts the flag
of the Christ at half-mast. We must
nail our colors at the top and keep
them there.
Directness demands clean-cut. TN
wavering work done with faithful
ness, fidelity and with hoping hearts.
The church, each OF Us and all Of
uS COSStuSI, AiuSI SSdSC " OC olL2S-
fed with poor work or none. The
salvation of our own souls and the
procuring of temporal and eternal
blessings for ourselves is not enough.
Are We to attain success, as an or
ganization, in the spiritual work that
counts, we must be all on fire wi,
the desire to save mems souls, and to
bring happiness to their hearts anu
lives while here.
Lack of zeal will condemn lis as
unworthy. Feeble fire proves remiss-
ness A poor aim lays us open to
the enemy's assaults. Unfaithfulness
is unworthy of us and will meet the
condemnation of our God.