The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-09

ing 1 walked down a principal stree
of a middle west city, and 1 saw {
"paimists." "clairvoyants." and Other
fortune tellers. The big hotels and
steamships have no room number
thirteen. Many adults who have pass
ed through our modern educational
system will not begin q journey on
Friday; and the breaking of a mirror
the upsetting of a saltcellar, or the
sight of a black cat are matters Of real
concern to persons not few. The
reversion of Israel to it's idols is not
without present day parallels.
The Competition of Gods.
This western world is so monotheis-
tic in all its thinking that it often fails
to read the Bible sympathetically. I'm
doubtedly there existed, in the Old
Testament era, in the minds of both
the Jews and in the surrounding ma
tons. the idea that Jehovah was mere
ly a national Deity, as opposed to the
detties of other nations. The idea that
Jehovah was in competition with these
other gods clearly runs through the
history of early Israel. Joshua put 1t
badly when he said. in the words
which are the nub of this lesson. And
If 1t seem evil unto YOU to serve the
Lord, choose you this day whom We
will serve: whether the gods which
your fathers served, that were on the
other side of the flood, or the gods of
the Amorites, in whose land We dwell:
but as for me and my house we will
serve the Lord"
That old competition is settled. SO
far as the western world goes. It Is
still on in the Orient, but even there.
the most enlightened observers de-
clare, the issue Is clear. As against
the ancient idolatries. Jehovah has
won. The very names of the gods of
Israel's neighbors are mere matters OF
antiquarian interest. In the express
sive colloQuial speech of the day, they
ara dead ones" Today the nature of
the conflict has shifted. Now it is be-
tween Jehovah and mammon, between
Jehovah and worldliness. between
Jehovah and human selffshness. These
are the twentieth century idols that
dispute Jehovah's claim to the al
legianoe of man. Here 1t Is that choice
must be made by everybody: the issue
cannot be evaded; deliberate, decisive
choice must be made.
That was O. wise word OF Joshua s,
and an instructive one. when he made
choice for himself and his household
He could not decide for Israel: he did
not have to- No man can do every
thing. 1t is impossible for any one to
set the whole world right. But he can
get right himself, and keep his house
hold right. Some folk dream OF the
transformation of society in the mass
and wait for that day without mending
their own ways. The which is folly.
1t is regenerated individualism
which is the worlds only hope. 1t is
the man who achieves the ablest life
for himself who makes the greatest
to his time A shallow
PHILOSOPHY SCOTS at the old religious
teaching which babe man save his
own soul While as an end, that Is not
sufficient: but 1t is absolutely the hrst
essential. The very most important
gift that man can give the world is a
life made over by the power Of GOD.
only such a one can make over the
mass of lives.
The Bishop of London's Counsel.
Joshua called his people back to
first things. He compelled them TO
face decision. BY MS example ano
counsel, pointing out the perils OF a
contrary course, and reminding them
what Jehovah ha ddone for them In
the past he led them to renew their
ancient allegiance. He recalled them
to the ultimate spiritual verities.
which have been aptly condensed in
TO a modern phrase, Get right with
Cod
This recall to first things is note
hat is being sounded by the worlds
religious leaders today. By his gra-
,ious presence and wise counsels the
Bishop of London made pronounc-
I'd impression upon America, on the
occasion of his recent visit. He spoke
10 truer words than those uttered at |
he capital of the United States. when
lie said: mo church on earth will pro-
luce an effect upon the world if It has
lot still one further characteristic. 1t
must clearly and Enthusiastically and
before all the world be unworldly it
ielf. Bear with me, then, when say
Is my last word that the greatest
langer of the church on both sides of
he Atlantic is worldliness.
'It is impossible for the church to |
nix too freely with the world. But, on
he other hand, to run a church as a
nan runs a successful business, to de- |
,end upon c1everness and manage
nent. rather than the grace of God.
avor of influence with the press, to |
over the teaching Of the church or
Is moral standard in order to suit a |
age is to spell ruin and |
allure and shame for the most ortho- |
lox church in the world. In a voice I
which still rings down the centuries
resus Christ himself proclaimed: My !
Ifngdom is not of this world"