The Newtown bee., 1909-03-05
TOWN TOPICS.
LITTLE SERMONS.
Living Sacrifce.-By 0. 0. Wright,

4NoN Nt tldt dit oblp puS ouSht " bear the infrmilies of the weak, and not to please ourselves"
 But why should we bear the bur dens of others? Have we not bur dens enough of our own to bear? Why should we not please ourselves? Because it is not according to the divine plan and purpose of human life. It is not best for us to be sell fish. It is best for us to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of others. We are not merely intelligent beasts; we are children of the Father AL mighty, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all the things of the universe, the visible and invisible. We should be ashamed to live on the same plane of being with the lower orders of animal life. In fact the beasts of the field, and the fowls of the air are not entirely selfish, nor without care of their kind. But we have a higher nature than theirs. Our program of being calls for moral conduct; and we are related to the unseen, spiritual world which is everlasting. We are the children of God and we should be like Him. We have the power of dominion over the material world, and we should use the privileges of this life to our own best good, the good of others, and the honor and glory of the Lord who has freely given us all to possess and enjoy forever.
 Surely, the divine example must be best for us to follow. It must be that the Son of God knows best what is for our highest well-being and happiness. If the Son of --an is a living sacrifice for the salvation of mankind, it must be our highest privilege and duty to help Him to extend the means of divine grace to others in the same spirit of service! If He so loved the world that it was tba io,y of LJio Jifo +o b,,p,1,1o LJ;p, self to live among men that there should be knowledge Of the glorious life to follow this, why should we not gladly follow his example. "For verify" He says, "the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" "Whosoever among you would become great shall be your minister, and whosoever would be first shall be your servant. '" Is not this true of all the great and good men who like Washington and Lincoln gave themselves, in thename of God, for the welfare of their country and the kingdom of heaven? Indeed, is there anything great and good in human history that did not require self-denial, sacrifice, and per SOGal devotion.
 We are dealing with the things of life which are spiritual and eternal. The most precious product of this world is Christian character. It is easier to get rich than to be wise and good. It is not so difficult towin the praise and fame of the world as to be holy, humble son of the Fa- ther in Heaven. The Kingdom of holiness comes slowly into the life of mankind, for it must come by self denial and self-sacrifice. First of all it is in the spirit of men through the burden and sorrow of the Cross of Christ. Then from heart to heart it works in mn who are willing to be sufferers together with the meek and lowly Saviour, bearing with the in firmities of the weak, not seeking to please themselves. The Church, as the school of Christ, must have this same spirit of service or it is no longer His. And to be true and liv- ing members of the body of Christ we must exercise ourselves in spirit ual things. Strength, beauty, and perfection of character is the slow growth of many experiences. To