The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1908-11-02
REV. w. M. PADEN USES NEARNESS or
THE ELECTION TO POINT A MORAL

"There is much that is worldly, much
that is bad in politics. But there is also
much in the conduct of a political cam
paign which may provoke us as Chris
tians to wiser and more jealous work, -
Thus declared the Rev. William M,
Paden. ID. D., in timely and practical
sermon at the First Presbyterian church
congregation present and DR.. Padcn s
remarks We're very fOrceful. He took
for his text Luke xvi. s. "For the chill
dren of this world are in their genera
ton wiser than the children of light. -
In part DR.. Paden said:
Christ drew many of His Illustrations
from nature, and human nature-usually
common. tho near. the we'll known.
rather than OF the unusual the far away.
the unfamiliar. Hs parallels laid hold
OF men where they were living or whore
TO the skies they were rooted in earth.
His illustrations from human nature
took man '.as Is, He was dealing. with
seed Of angels. AS examples OF the man
after His own heart, He pointed to the
penitent Publican and Prod:gal. When
ways 10 pray and not to faint. He called
attention TO the undiscouraged knocking
OF the friend at midnight and the un-
ashamed importunity Of the poor widow
unjust judge; The selfish friend and
the unjust judge were not like God.
but the earuestness with which those
who approached them presented their pc
itions was a text for lesson In prayer
What Parable Tells.
The parable from which our text Is
taken tells a story of dishonesty which
was blameworthy, and Of prudence and
foresight which so for ms IL went was
praiseworthy Christ made use OF the
ard by way Of calling stewards of the
tactful. energetic service. They We're
to emulate the unjust stewards wis
dom. not his worldllness, his zeal and
foresight. not his motive and aim. For.
said He. the children of this world are
in their generation wiser than the chill
dren Of light.
Swift has told how while We may II
we wish extract poison from certain
flowers, yet II Is better Ike tho bees to
extract from nth, them honey and wax. sweet,
emulation, may he found In the good
ways of bad men. We may appreciate
and even initiate with profit the supe
holdness. their industry their frmness.
their persistence their prudence and the
like. But YOU say their talents were
misused. Then there is the more rea-
son TO look for desirable results when
such talents are used as they ought TO
be. The unjust steward was free
handed and seemingly liberal, but you
say his motives were selfish Is there
not moro reason why those who act from
high motives and who wish TO be un-
selfish should be really liberal and open
handed? There were powers at work
In the soul of the wording which were
capable OF being directed 10 better
purpose. or being used with higher
motive. Yet how often the direct. prompt
prudent ways OF effective bad men arc
wise as compared with the rounda bout
vacillatinS, Imprudent WAYS Of better
men The children OF this world are
wiser in their generation than the chill
dren OF light.
The Same Lesson.
The same lesson may be learned from
those who invest their time, thought
talents or gifts in the minor affairs Of
this lite, in that which is passing or
which has no lasting worth How often
they are moro Jealous and effective so
far as their interests go than those who
claim TO have higher interests, Indeed
many child of God manifests more
5est and has more skill In dealing with
the side Issues Of life than with its
main issues. There are Christians who
are more sltiiful In the use OF a deck
OF cards than In the use Of the teachings
thought In studying bridge than in study
Ing the Bible. They show moro sc-
quaintancc with tho latest and worst
new novels than with the best tested
great books, They show an interest in
freak psychology which would give them
mind. and show an interest in careerfne
about In the clouds OF new Thought
which would, " applied. make them in
telligent about tho best that has been
said and thought and done by the best
and biggest men and women who have