Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1910-01-20

BY WILLIAM Il. ELLIS.
Like any other investment, religion
pays according to what is put into it.
They whose Investment is large get
large returns.
Religion is not problem in subtrac-
ton, but in addition.
Nobody who really tried religion was
every sorry for the experiment.
The longer one tests religion the bet
ter it seems. 1t stands the ordeal OF
the end Most JOYS do not. Safety fol
lows hard on the heels OF enjoyment.
There are no pleasures, except spirit
ual ones, that continue to increase,
and hold forth the promise OF an en-
larged growth in the endless stretches
of eternity. Ennui swiftly overtakes
all who travel the worlds broad ways
of delight The faded, blase expression
is common upon fashionable prone
nades, and places of resort that are
popular with pleasure-see A great
city affords few more pitiable spec
tacles than an old man or woman who
has been a devotee of the gay life.
Querulous, lost to sensation and in
terest in life. incapable of the finer,
spiritual joys, they drag heavy feet on
toward a grave which they dread In
sharp contrast to these is the peaceful,
happy old age OF those who have made
God their chief :ov They seem to re-
new their Soa,n. At eventide it is
light with them; and their last days
are their best.
The Christian life is a taking up as
we'll as a giving up. 1t possesses ali
that is worth while in the worldly life
for the promise is that "all these
things shall be added unto you"-plus
the unspeakable joys which Christ has
promised TO his friends.
Dimly and family. science is learn
ing how the realm of matter is pene-
trated by the forces Of the spirit. and
subject thereto The watchword of
the twentieth century seems likely to
be conquest" In a sense little dream
ed of by our fathers, the tremendous
reach Of Pauls great dictum is being
understood-"All things are yours.
Psychic laws are now known to rule
the universe. We imperfectly perceive
that the temporal kingdoms of this
earth are to come under the domi-
nation of Christ: to that task his
church is addressing herself afresh
Likewise a new mood of possessive-
ness has come over Christian thought,
with respect to all pleasures and re-
creations that are in themselves inno-
cent: these. too are being regarded as
the Christians rightful Inheritance.
| There is nothing absolutely nothing
lin life, except sin, that is not compre-
hended within the sweep of the in
spired declaration, "All things are
| yours"
Religion always pays, but it's pay
| day is not determined by the calendar.
Religion is not stranger or added
thing" says Henry Drummond, but
the inspiration of the secular life
ooh. taste and see that the Lord is
good!" cried the Psalmist. That is to
say, "Put him to the test" Jehovah
delights in tests, even as he stood by
Elijah on Carmel. There is no reason
able proof which Christianity will not
meet 1t has been tried by every sort
Of mortal, in every imaginable condi-
ton, and the harder the test, the great
er the victory.
Mr.. Moody used to say that some
persons had only religion enough to
make them miserable. To experience
the full benefits of Christianity, one
should go into it al 1.-The way. "They
who test Him fully, prove Him fully
true AS it has been said that the
cure for. the ills of liberty is more
liberty, SO the remedy for an Difficult
ties in religion is simply more re
ligion.
The final profits of business cannor
be determined until the business is
settled. So if we would know whether
religion pays, and what it pays, W.
must take into account all Of eternity
For the rewards of Christ are to be
enjoyed throughout endless ages tt
which all his friends are joint-heiri
with him.
Religion is not afraid says Johl
McNeill; "all she needs, as Chief Jus
tice Gibson once said, is common