Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1910-02-24

W. and let II be as simple a
WV possible. An honest man
is one who pays his debts.
That covers the whole case.
In Westminster Abbey there are
two tombs, which will serve to illus
trate the matter In hand. One Is that
OF John Wesley, who lived in his
country parish content on forty
pounds a year" His motto was: owe
no man anything. save to love one an.
other" He was buried without pomp
or circumstance. and left only enough
to Furnish 20 shiilings each to the
bearers who carried him to his grave.
The other is the tomb OF William Pitt
earl Of Chatham. who died with
honors thick upon him. but so deep
" in debt that parliament was con-
strained to vote an appropriation Of
10000 to meet his outstanding OBJ
legations. We take our stand between
those tombs. and give our need Of
praise to the poor itinerant, who lived
and died an honest man. says Rev.
David James Burrell. d. D.. writing
IN the Christian Herald.
Il will be seen that the definition.
so simple apparently, Is quite com.
prehensive. and 1t cuts deeper than
we think. For when the matter Of
llfe's assets and liabilities is fully
canvassed. 1t will appear that It is
no easy matter to live and die with 4
clean balance sheet.
Debtors to God.
The question at the outset touches
our relations with God. Are we
debtors to God? Yes. by universal
consent In the bill OF particulars
there are three items, to-wit:
First: Creation. Is there any one
who does not rejoice In the fact that
he was made but a little lower than
the angels" and In the likeness Of
God? Is II nothing to stand erect,
sensible of divine birthright and q
divine inheritance! Is there no occa-
sion for gratitude in the fact that
am able TO dream dreams and see
visions. and. as Kepler said. think
Gods thoughts after him?" What do
We owe in return for these, The
least possible recognition OF Gods
goodness. thus far. Is In keeping our.
selves on friendly terms with him.
The second item in the bill OF par
ticulars is Providence. In God we
live and move and have our being
We slept In his arms last night. cared
for as tenderly Is children In their
mothers arms. He feeds US. clothes
Us and continually cares for Us.
What shall we render unto him for
these loving kindnesses? Do they lay
no obligation upon us, The least that
We can do Is to bend our knees In
thanksgiving. To the beggar who.
this morning. stretched out his hand
saying. 4 am hungry" I gave enough
to buy himself a breakfast, and he
said. I thank you" Could he do less
and bear the semblance OF a man.
What then OF the man who never
prays. who takes Gods gifts without
word Of recognition? Is he an
honest man! Not so did the pagan
Socrates think. who asked Euthyde-
mus. Did you never reflect how much
care the gods have bestowed upon
u.s. No, never. l assure you" Go
tnen to the temple and. pondering on
tner gifts. bow down and prove thy
self a man"
The Debt We Owe to Society.
The third item in the bill of partic-
uiars Is divine grace. II matters not,
80 lar as the question at issue Is con-
eerned, whether a man has accepted
TIE overtures OF Gods mercy or not:
y stih remains that provision has
been made for his deliverance from
sin- You may not have accepted
.nrist, my friend; that does not affect
tae fact that God gave his only be-
gotten son TO die in your behalf that
you might be saved from sin. Here
Is an unreasonable obligation laid
upon every man How shall we pay
" ihe answer is in the familiar
rymn which We have Just sung.
would that We might sing It but once
WIN heart and understanding, For 1t
contains the sum total Of the phiIoso-
pn! Of due-ty; that is. Of what we owe
to God.
Is startling fact that men are
70 prone to overlook their obligations
- uod. Tor here is the very root of
honesty. VIII a man rob God?"
oaail We withhold from God that
snieh Is his honest due! Nay, that
clearly impossible II one would be
IN honest man.
n4' the question touches, secondly,
'u' relations with our fellow-men. For
man liveth unto himself and no
IAN dieth unto himself. It would
ppear that the angels were created
le oy one; but men are Of one fam
y. ahd blood Is thicker than water"
are mutually interdependent, as
uoers and borrowers; and each il
0ana' In honesty. to balance his &C
ount with his fellow-men.
.nere are two kinds of people. con-
uers and producers. The consum-
says. The world owes me a iy-
40 s and proceeds to exact 1t. An
= ~. ricn or poor. living in pursuance
ae dictum. is dishonest man.
e producer. on the other hand is
Nno adds to the common fund by
something. He earns a live
a and something more. He ex-
Aotning which is not quid pro
ana when he makes his exit.
eases the community richer from
~ having lived in il.
wv Su' Debt to the Human Race.
~ 4 aa' are you producing. my friend!
o- something. pray you. Make q
TO-. y poem. make house or
rosns s dis well or build a stable;
on, se something that will remain as
ssnorial. leaving the balance on
oa, 'snt side when you have gone
r. my indebtedness is not merely
-amanity en- massa .Y am debtor