The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-18
aNhat to Think Upon
(sclccttcd for The Times.pispatch

Finally brethren. whatsoever things
are true: whatsoever things arc honoc-
able: whatsoever things arc just. what
soever things are pure: whatsoever
Of good rcport:ssif there be any virtue,
and II stferas be any praise, think on
these things! Phil. Tvs. RI
Truth with us means the opposite OF
falsity in speech: but in the Bible 1t
means the opposite of all unrcality, all
sham. all resemblance OF any kind 81.
Paul here bids us to think habitually
upon all ti,atsis real: on the substance,
not the shadow; on the eternal, not on
the transitory, on God, but on the
world.
What is the world, and what are the
things OF the world: Scripture and ex-
periencc teach us that they are like
mirage in the wilderness-bright, ever
lasting. full of promise and ending only
in scorchinS dyo,lsht. and glarins. sand.
The poe, exclai71ss With struth:
sob bubble world.
Whose colofs in q nomfIit break and
Ely ~
What is a bubble? 1t Is thin globe
OF water enclosing air. with which chill
drcn play. 1t glitters in the air like a
ball OF opal and emerald but in a. few
seconds nothing is left OF the radian,
phantom butsa pcllicle of impure water.
Man himself, apart from God, is but
such bubble. and as is man SO still
more are the things which man pursaes.
They look beautiful when they float
above our reac', u but touch them and
they burst.
If you would not be utterly dsappoint-
ed. think on these things which are
real; God; the Son: Eternity and the Cos
pei of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Whatsoever things saare honorable"
The word means noble. grave. reverend
securely. 1t is an cxhortation to dignity
of thought as opposed to meanness OF
thought. 1t invites1to the gravity Of self
respect. Let us strive to cherish more and
more in ours heart (crc it be too late).
that honest sand even naughty self-re-$
spect, which shrinks from every bascness
as,fronl stain. that true and delicate
fastidiousness OF llonor}that will not
plunge itself into what Is mean and vile.S
None will ever know It, SO argues
the subtle tcmpter. But the answer is:
Get behind me. Satan. = shall know II.
and God will know 90 The sense of It
will humiliate you; the guilt Of 1t will
drag down your life and leave Its stain
always, even when repentedsso2f and for-t
given. Nothing becomes too, bad for old
or young who have once utterly lost
their sclf-rc.pect. Thereof fore respect YOUR
selves, honor andsrealize your immortal
nature. whatsoever things are seeming
majestic, awful-- whatever eleYates and
ennobles you and delivers you from the
coarse seduction OF present temptation.
think on these things. sd
WHATSOEVER things are 5jq Wi Justice
Is one OF the most eleme tary OF human
duties; aye, and one Of the most rare
MEMS thoughts are commonly sswaycd
by their interest and tainted by their
prejudice. they use Use balances and md
unjust wcishtsin ging one anot q: v
I5sincc then, 1t is so rir do tllou, DO one
10 cxercisefft lls rtic I'M nd y9ss its
merits. sfs re-
whatsoever things arc ri. rc.Si On. y
this warhnS might reacl Sthc heart art Eof
tile young aud Inspire them ting rc-
solute effort TO Danish from tlaeirs1'1n fpt
everything that deflleth! Nothing issn,ore
exquisite than the pure and Innocent soul 1l1lt !;
nothing more wretched han. he SOU tst W
haunted by impure and poll Thought.
Remember that our thoughts arc
lflIndcr our own control;i sthat8thc thought
OF &wickedness Is sin, and Coo sees and
knows them MI. We can cJcct. We can car
Suppress; we can refuse Y hem .i lodge ~ &
nent II We VIII, and 7 - then Ylosos
ever thou art-thou art IND Getl most llllls
Ikhappy. ~, s5jss.
Whatsoever things arc lovely These
are the winning and attractive thoughts
that live aud ures rad lanSH IN tlie lishs.,
Ilr YOU dwell on such things the base mn, ~,
vito will have no charm for you and will
finally disappear. Try han " tho !cxprll,
L - tam 1Nvo,t,