Los Angeles herald., 1909-02-01
MUTUAL DEPENDENCE
NATURES GREAT LAW
MORE LESSONS DRAWN FROM
LIFE OF JOSEPH
Disciplinary Processes of the Universe
Necessary to the Full Develop
ment of Individual
Character

Rev. J. w. Shoaff, d. D., the pastor
of Trinity Methodist church, corner
South Grand avenue and West Ninth
street delivered at the evening service
the fourth Of his series on the Life
and Times Of Joseph"
Reviewing that part Of the history in
which Joseph appeared before Pharoah
and interpreted the dreams, he said in
part:
There are important lessons it would
be well for all of US to treasure in heart
and memory.
There is the law that enters into the
social order of the world-the law OF
mutual dependence. Pharoah, sur
rounded by the wealth and glory of
Egypt, found he had need for the pris-
oner in the dungeon. He wanted his
| dreams interpreted. He received the
Interpretation from the Hebrew pris-
Oner.
The law of mutual dependence is ex-
tant today. 1t constitutes the equi-
poise and balance of our great So
cial fabric. The multimillionaire is\no
exception. The cook is well paid, but
without the skillful cook the viands
would not be prepared for his table.
The world needs capital, but if it's re-
sources are to be developed we must
have labor also. We hear much in
these days of the conflict between cap
ital and labor. The final solution of
the question is only to be found in the
law of reciprocal relation and depend
ence, as set forth in the ethical teach
ings Of the gospel
In the review Of the story before us
we are reminded Of the Immortality of
memory. The chief butler shut Joseph
out Of memory for a season, but not
forever. To Pharoah he said: Il do
remember my faults this day." No fact
in human experience will ever be COM
pletely obliterated. Coleridge has
said "that from the known facts of
human pathology all thoughts them
selves are imperishable." Take heed to
your thoughts and deeds. The past
will not always be a forgotten past.
The memories of a buried past will be
quickened into life.
AS we study the history before us we
are taught something of the beneficial
uses of adversely The disciplinary pro-
cess through. which Joseph passed,
and to which he patiently submitted,
prepared him for the efficient per-
formance of his duty and office in the
empire of Egypt. Not only so-sub-
mitting to these processes, he developed
a type of manhood in which he stands
before us as one of the greatest char
acters in the history of the ages.
This disciplinary process is one of the
great laws of the providential economy
of the universe. Let US not be stag
gered at the apparent severity Of the
divine method. Mountains of strength
and majesty, with their helmets of
granite, owe their birth to the geologic
throes of the ages. God may lead you
through deep waters, but in the end
he will bring you forth into "the dry
and wealthy place"
Business and Religion
Among other lessons we might leave
with you, there is one that we would
burn into the heart and memory of
every yonug man here this evening,
viz: that religion and true business
prosperity are united in eternal we'd
lock-. There is a fallacy abroad in the
world against which we would warn
you; it is the prevalent idea that re-
ligion and success in business are in
compatible. If you start out in life
with that idea you already have the
prophecy of absolute failure. Millions
made at the cost of character and re-
ligious principle will leave you a moral
wreck upon the shores of time.
Put your religion into your business.
Be fervent in spirit, diligent in bust
ness, serving the Lord. The only pros
perity that commands the blessing of
God, that will stand the test of time
and eternity, is that which provides
all things honest in the sight of God
and man.
Let your business relations and ac-
tivities be conducted according to the
higher law of heaven. Above every
thing, be men of Christian honor and
integrity. Goodness is profitable unto
all things, having the promise of the
life that now is and of that which is to
come'