The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-08

Terse Comments on topic Tor 'fepru-
airy 9, "Ministering to Strangers and
the Sick" Matt. 20: 31-46.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
The essence of Christianity is an in
ner life; but the evidence of Christian,
ty Is conduct. ITO visit the widow and
the fatherless in their affection, and TO
keep himself unspotted from the world.
is st. James definition of pure rellg-
ion and indebted" No amount of sptr-
itlal rhapsodizing can atone for the
lack of these practical ministrations
They are not the only test of per-
sons Christianity, yet they are a true
test. The life of Christianity within
produces the deeds of Christ without.
They who go to visit the Lords needy
ones often find the Lord there himself.
The loneliness and helplessness of the
stranger. his unfamiliarity with new
ways, new places and new people, ana
his shyness and general "strangeness,
make his condition a peculiarly appeal
ing one to the sympathies Of all broth
erly persons. There is manifest fitness
in the way Jesus identifies himself with
the lot of every stranger and says.
'I was a stranger, and ye took me N.
In truth, he knew to the last drop the
bitterness of the strangers lot He
walked a solitary way among men
From the hour before his birth. when
there was no room for him In the Inn,
to the dark day when he was iafd In a
hospitable strangers tomb, he was
victim of the cruel heedlessneSs, dis
regard or active hostility which the
world displays to those who are not of
its own. Never pilgrim walks the
weary road of loneliness and misunder-
standing but can say, This is the way
the Master went"
Not sumptuousness, but sharing, is
the touchstone OF hospitality
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Devotion is best expressed by deeds.
The Orient is naturally more hospi-
table than the Occident; and also nat
urally more religious. Between these
two truths there may be vital con-
nection.
In many Canadian cities a traveller
may see the sign, British Welcome So
ciety.'' This organization is animated
by the eminently Christian spirit of
showing hospitality to the stranger.
1t aims to greet the incoming immi-
grant, to extend to him needed atten-
lions, to help him find home and en-
ployment. and. in all possible ways
to make him welcome in his new home
OF piece with this particular service
IS the ministry rendered to immigrants
by host of religious bodies.
The powers that prey in a great
stranger. The powers that serve are
less vigilant. Nevertheless, it is
heartening to remember that at most
great railway terminals there are wo-
men agents of the Travellers Aid soci-
ETY. to look after young girls and Wo-
men who may need assistance; and
that every city has its Y. Nd. G, A. for
young men. Hotel guests frequently
find themselves invited, by name, to
church services on Sunday through
the attention of the Brotherhoods New
ertheless, as the social efficiency of or
ganized Christianity increases, great
er degree of attention will be paid to
that class of persons who stand In Pc
culiar need and temptation, the strang-
ers in a city.
Many persons who have not the
knack of making prayer meeting
speeches, or of shining in any form of
public Christian service, are adopts in
visiting the sick and the afflicted. They
are to be found in the homes where
suffering or sorrow has entered. They
are not fluent in comfortingly religious
speech. but their presence speaks SYM
patty and helpfulness and cheer. 1t
will be better in the great assize to be
known as one who visited the sick than
as one who exhorted q congregation.
Sometimes God shuts a person into
a sick room, that his own messengers
may there find him prepared to consid-
The blessings brought away from the
bedside Of the sick are usually greater
than those carried thereto.
SEVEN SENTENCE SERMONS.
It is worth a thousand pounds a
year to have the habit of looking on
the bright side Of things.-Dr. john
son.
,
Our doubts are traitors and make US
lose the good we oft might win. by
fearing to attempt--Shakespe
Without haste and without rest
Let each man wheel with steady sway
Round the task that rules the day,
And do his best Goethe.
The kind Of world one carries about
IN ones self Is the important thing,
and the world outside takes all its
grace. color. and value from that
Lowell.
There is no truth, however bitter,
that is not better than any delusion.-
Lyman Abbott.
Why. therefore. should we do our
selves this wrong,
Or others-that we are not always
strong,
That We are ever overborne with care,
That We should ever weak or heart
less be.
Anxious or troubled, when with us il
prayer,
And joy and strength and courage are
with Thee?
R. C. French.
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Thou wilt keep him In perfect peace,
R0nnuef H0mS