The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-29
~ W1IL1AM n. E1.LIs.

Anything Whereby Thy Brother
Stumbleth," Romans 14.21.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
There is a deal of unlabeI1ed Chris
tianity in the world in these days. The
tidal wave of many named socialism
that seems to be sweeping over the
whole earth is, after all. but an ex-
preston of the New Testament prin-
ciple TO which the Sunday schools this
week give attention. The student u1l-
STA the spectacular awakening of Chi
ma the struggle of Korea fer the ma
Iional existence, the portentious
Swadeshi movement in India, the NUT
terings of the young Egypt party,
the dominance of labOrism and hber-
alism in British politics, and the pow
erful social ferment In the United
States, may all reasonably be inter-
preted widely separated specimens
of the one underlying sentiment of in
dividual liberty and social interdepen-
dence. Ostensfbly, at least, all of
these manifestations. look to the bet
the enlargement of personal rights and
independence.
OId-fashIOned Up-to-Dateness.
Everybody is under obligations to
all. That is. broadly stated. the days
platform. Yet what is that but the
Pauline teaching, set forth in the pres
ent Sunday school lesson. Let no man
seek his own, but each his neighbours
good p" Or, again. mot seeking my
own profit. but the profit of the
tracts used to call truths for the
time" He is dull teacher indeed who
can not point this lesson with illustra-
lions not a few from the days news.
In truth, the coincidence between the
theme of this lesson and the thought
Of the day is most extraordinary.
The worlds socialism is seeking the
goal long ago indicated by inspired
pens. even though If know If n The
days advanced" thinkers may consider
themselves ahead of the old-fashioned
Book; but in truth they are only COM
ing up to it. There may be an atrnos-
phere of novelty and progressfveness
about espousing the cause of the COM
mon veal. as set forth under various
names. yet the indisputable fact is
that this has been the message of
Christianity for centuries. The Chris
tan church at its purest has presented
the nearest to an ideal social condition
that the world has ever seen.
IH-FoHRded Temperance Teaching.
In the present instance, this big
truth, which Jesus embodied in his
life and his followers set down on the
sacred page. is indicated for its bear
ing upon the temperance question.
which once a quarter is designated as
the theme of the Sunday school. Here
In is found the sanest and most unas-.
sailable basis for the temperance po-
sition.
1.
n than truthfulness, that only bad
people ever drink intoxicants, they grow
up la1rn that the teaching is not
true. When they are told that to taste
liquor always means drunkenness and
ruin they are certainly later to discover
the falls ty of this instruction. When 1t
it represented to them that the drink
ing of wine is forbidden by Scripture
their own intelligent reading eventually
contrOverts the statement. No man can
ever know how much temperance in
struction has fallen to the ground in
failure because based upon these un-
sound foundations.
\ Mans NobIest fright
But when the Pauline position of
noble altruism is taken-''give no oc-
casion for umbling'-surrenderi
ones lawful right because it is not ex-
pedient or does not build up. then the
temperance propaganda stands upon an
unshakable basis. Not only has a man
a right to give up his own indulgence in
any taste, for the sake of his felIowmen,
but he is concededly noble in the exer-
else of that right. To do for others, or
to co without for others, is magnanim-
Gus and brotherly; it is the law of the
ideal life.
This is the platform upon which Paul
taught concerning a subject analogous
to the modern drinking habit; the eat
ing by Christians of meat which had
been offered to idols. The meat was
nothing in itself; the effect of the eating
conscience of ones fellowmen, was the
main consideration. Paul you see, was
a Christian socialist.
There is a higher ground yet, and to
it the great apostle assembled. There is
loftier motive for human action than
mankind's welfare; motive which is
really necessary to the sustenance of
the latter. This motive Is the glory of
God The highest expression of mans
good is Gods glory. Man is rarely in
right relations with man until he Is
in right relations with God Get right
with God" is the prelude with getting
right with man. A sense of obligation
to the Infinite has ever been the most
powerful consideration In impelIing men
to tie service of their fellows. That is
why Paul carries his teaching a long
step farther than mere socialism or al
truism; Whether therefore We eat, or
the glory OF God" The man who lives
by that law will never make a brewer
rich or : neighbor poor.
a Naval Mans Theology.
The religious motive is most needed
In life As the famous naval authority,
Captain Mahan. said In an address In
New York. there is danger of inverting
the order Of the two greatest command
ments- Our time is emphasizing the
second. Thou shalt love thy neighbor
as thyself" But the first really is-and
a little thought will make clear why It
is the hrst-'sThou shalt love the Lord,
thy God, with all thy heart The life
that Is right on it's Godwaxd side can
not be wrong on Its MAYNARD side
Symmetry OF character and effective
ness demands that the first shall be
put first
An truth Is practical; this exalted
teaching has q direct relation to the
everyday theme OF temperance to
at present applied. The first and
greatest commandment can not be