The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-31

built upon sand and the other upon
the rock Men have been perplexed
that the house upon the sand has
looked so well and stood so long; often
1t has seemed more beautiful and COM
Portable than the one on the rock.
Why do the wicked prospect How
are we to explain the paradox. every
where present of the evil mans pros
peritE and the good mans adversely?
This perPlexity has been a barrier to
many a mans faith.
The answer is in the parable espe-
clally as we see it re-enacted today.
The crisis tests. Never judge unhn-
ished work" says the proverb; we
must wait until God gets through
with man before we can tell whether
his life has been a success or a failure.
1t is the storm that proves the house,
the temptation that proves the man,
the panic that proves the business. In
fair weather the wicked may seem to
no wind is blowing or rain falling. sand
is as good a foundation as stone for
the ordinary structure; but in the
great hours of trial, then it is that the
righteous man stands fast, while the
ungOdly is OverthroWn.
It is a fair proposition. demonstrat-
ed by the experience of the ages, that
the teachings of Jesus Christ are the
best and the only permanent founda-
lions for a successful character. 7 have
] L
known anybody else who has, who
ever regretted for a moment having
taken the teachings of Christ for his
basic principles of life. On the other
hand. within a week I have read q
sym postum of views upon success from
4 living men, representative Of leader
ship in many walks, and most Of them
frankly declare that their lives would
have been truer successes had they
made more of the religion Of Jesus,
{ they become disciples in early boy
hood
Watch Out for Wolves.
This parable of the two foundations
with which the Sermon on the Mount
( closes was preceded by a frank warn
/ ing against false teachers. Jesus had
none of the mistake charity which
/ blinds men to the evil in life. He
frankly offered tests. which he was
I willing to stand himself, by which all
! teachers should be judged. His ''be-
ware of false prophets" is an injunc-
! ton for the times. When one considers
the variety of strange sects, some of
! them really injurious to morals as
well as to faith, which abound in
/ every great city he realizes that the
sheep still need to be watehful against
1 wolves.
A universal and unfaf1fng rule by
I which false prophet may be dfscOv-
cred. and any life judged. is laid down
by the wise Teacher: by their fruits
We shall know them" Look at a life
in the large. and what is its harvest ?
Is the sum total Of its influence good
or bad? Has its weight fallen on the
side of service or Of seldshness. in the
scale of the years2 Is a man lookine
out for himself, has he AN eye for the
main choice" or is he seeking to spend
his powers In human helpfulness
What. in the long run. is a man after
OF what character is his most coveted
goal2 That is the true test.
The Test Of Time.
A glib drummer comes to town for Z
few days and his fine clothes anC
tFSordly-wise ways and his smart say
ings and bright stories impress every
body with his ability. But stay; has Ia
really anything more than he car
carry in his gripsack? VIII his bril-
lance wear2 Tested by time, can b.
compare with the quiet, shrewd. sounC
Judgment Of the village squira2 Ye
the youths of the neighbour God ar
ready on the instant to vote for the