The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-05
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.

BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
1t has often been said that the only
Bible which most people know is that
which they read in the lives of pro-
Tossing Christians. That idea was in
the mind of the New Testament writer
when he eXhorted disciples to be 'liv-
ing epistles, known and read of all
men," The unanswefable apologize
for Christianity is q consistent life,
patterned after the example of Jesus.
An example is more eloquent than
q sermon.
The world cannot be organized into
goodness, or preached into goodness,
but it may be led into godIness. The
simple, quiet, imposing practice of
their professions by Christians would
do more to set this old world right
than all the powerful organizations
that bear the Christian name.
Men are not concerned nowadays
with other mems creeds. They are,
however, tremendously interested in
their conduct. Everybody is willing to
go to school to the saint. Goodness is
to make the world holfer. More eff
ficaciOus for human betterment than
all the multiform programs of social
reform that are being proposed, is
simple righteousness in all of lifes re-
lations, on the part of those who have
named themselves as followers Of Je-
Sus.
Speak Iouder!" cried the preacher
to the hypocrite, who was "testifying''
in prayerm eeting; speak louder!
Your life makes so much noise that 1
cannot hear what you say!'
A familiar, and usually pernicious,
phrase runs, Business is business"
The words are commonly uttered as an
excuse for conduct that would not
~
Business is business" yes, but bust
ness is also religion, or else neither is
wholly what it claims to be.
dog and his horse will have reason to
know it.
Too much of our religion is up in
the air. 1t consists of rhapsodies and
emotions, rather than downright, ev-
ery-day righteousness and exertion.
Religion should have wings, it is true;
but it equally should have hands and
feet and tongue. Only the creed trans
lated into deed is of any Importance
for either world.
Eyes" assented a laborer, who was
laying an asphalt walk, when some
body asked him about his employer:
Mr.. AS a great church worker. and
a pretty nice man, but he doesn't put
tar enough in his walks" In the day
Of judgment which is today, and in
tho final judgment day. Mr.. A. will
be judged by the asphalt walks he
has laid, rather than by the prayer
meeting speeches he has made.
A consistent life is not the product
of rules Regulations in matters of
conduct are bound to conflict. The true
consistency springs from dominant
principle enthroned in the heart.
When a person says, For me to live
is money" his whole course is sure
to radiate mercenariness. When a
person says, For me to live is pleas
ure," the search for enjoyment newt
ably peeps out from beneath every ac-
ton. But when a person can truly
say, For me to live is Christ" then
his life will be a consistent life, ra-
dating Christliness in the workshop
and in the home as truly as in the re-
ligious meeting.
mot he that nameth the Name,
But he that doeth the deed"
is forever the true disciple. Jesus him
self laid down the eternal law, by
their fruits shall We know them"
James stresses the same a1l-important
principle in the present lesson, when
he gently asks, Doth the fountain
send forth from the same opening
sweet water and bitter2 Can a fig
tree, my brethren. yield olives. or a
vine figs" Every life must have some