The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-07-30
9burt 9ermons
For
Sunnap Dalf=Dnur
Theme:
OPPORTUNITY AND
RESPONSIBILITY
+ i. i.
BY Rev. William Carter, D. D.

NESFONSlBlL11 Y
BY Rev. William Carter, D. D.
l. + +
Text: "Now all these things are
written for our sdmontion, upon
whom the ends Of the world are
GOMEZ. Corinthians, X, II.
j. + r.
If greater opportunities bring great
er esponsibilities. then those that are
resting upon us to-day are certainly
tremendous. The progress of the ages
has been cumulative and has raised
this age until it stands as the highest
peak of civilization, the keystone OF
all the ages, the very crown jewel in
the diadem of Time. Therefore, these
things are written for our admonition,
upon whom the ends of the world are
come"
Why is it that such warning and
admonition is necessary now? Be-
cause in this "end of the age" in this
twentieth century OF privilege and de-
velopment, there is so much more in
volved. 1t means more to lose a jew.
ell than a jackknife. 1t means more
to wreck a transatlantic liner than a
fishing smack. 1t means more, in
finitely more, to waste and wreck a
life fraught with such tremendous pos.
sibilities than to waste and wreck a
mere existence. Therefore the ad-
monition which is sounded in upon
every soul.
This warning and admonition is also
especially necessary now because in
this age of opportunity and develop
ment we can do so much more than
ever was possible before. When God
called Moses to lead His people out of
Egypt Moses began to excuse himself
because of inefIiciency, but God said
what is in thine hand?" And Moses
looked, and behold, it was a shep.
herds rod. Not very great weapon
of offence or defence, but with that
potent rod he wrought all those mar
vellous signs and wonders and at last
delivered Israel from her bondage.
What is in thine hand. man of the
world, to-day? a business opportun.
ity, a social power, moral obligation
leaders ability, skilled workman
tools-all the possibilities of a trained
hand or eye or intellect Make an in
ventory of your equipment and then
tell me how you are using it. What is
in thine hand business man? 1t is
a bank book, one of the mightiest
weapons for good or evil that is in
the world to-day. How are you using
it? What is in thine hand, man OF
the world? Look closely again. fol
behold, it is ballot. Remember ther
and say it advisedly and reverent
ly-that next to TIE Bible the ballot
is the most powerful instrument fol
working righteousness in the whole
land to-day.
What is in thine hand, aye, what i:
in thine arms, womanhood of to-day
A child's dear form? All, then, let mt
say yours is the greatest power aftel
all. Over that life you reign supreme
To you it will go for guidance; tt
you it will look for ideals. See to it
motherhood of to-day. that thos,
ideals are pure and true, grand ant
noble, and then you may be sure o
it that the manhood of tomorrow viii
be better than that of to-day.
We need also to heed the warning
and admonitions OF the past and o
the Word of God, because even tn
little that we do now will count fo
so much more than ever before. Ever
deed that we do now has the weigh
of all the ages behind it. All the e1
perience, all the developments of tn
past tell on our efforts now and multi
ply them thousandfold. Don't sa
that you can't do anything. Don't
trying to frighten yourself by askin
what is the biggest thing you can dt
and then eXcusing yourself by saying
81 can't do anything big Ask you
self rather the question. What is tn
least thing l can do?" and startin
with that let the big things take car
of themselves.