The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-03

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consistent with the character OF a
Christian.
Our Lord speaks OF tho eye: III
thine eye offend thee"--if the eye be
an open gate OF attack, IL temptation
comes that way--"pluck It out" Deal
very strictly with ourselves. Be leni-
ent and charitable to others, but Sc
we're with thysclf. The Puritans did
that. They shut their eyes to works
OF art which they found perilous to
their souls. We say that they went
too far; no doubt they did sometimes.
But, II they erred, 1t was upon the
safe side. They were dreadfully
afraid of doing wrong. Let us at
least follow them In this. Is the pic
ture, or book, or play, good for the
soul? Are we better for 1T, or worse7
Does 1t help toward tho measure of
the stature OF tho fulness Of Christi"
Would He like it2 Would He approve
1t? We must not Judge others. but
we must answer FOR ourselves. II the
thing is against your best nature, stop
1t. No matter. though grace
and beauty, art and letters and polite
society be for it. turn you away for
the safety OF your sou1l
Oh, heed tho voice of conscience!
Conscience is Gods voice in our hearts.
You know when you should do this or
that: you are impelled by your feel
ings-then God speaks directly to you.
You know you ought not to do this or
that. Then turn away your face, for
God is telling you 1t Is wrong. The
earnest Christian Is very sensitive to
this inner voice. and very obedient to
1t The strong man is ruled by his
ideals, and by his convictions; by his
high purpose. that with oil his might,
under all conditions and everywhere,
he will obey God.
The true Christian Will further do
termine to increase the happiness of
life He will not content himself
merely with tho development OF his
own chara cter; he must not only be
good. he must endeavor to do good
He will In all things and at all times
minister to others. This Is plainly
what Jesus Christ taught and did, for
He came not to be rninistered unto,
but to minister" He gave even His
life for the general good. None can
approach the measure of His stature
who Is not In some way trying to do
good to others.
And this means the exercise of con-
slant politeness and courtesy with
sincere consideration for the feelings
of others. We must not add to tho
heavy burden of unhappiness,
mostly of human making. It for.
bids saying any word. or doing any
act. which Will make life harder for
anybody anywhere II forblds frowns,
and pride and ridicule. and every look
which hurts. 1t controls the temper
and the tongue.
But that is not all. It means also
constant watchfulness for opportun!-
ties of service. It impels one to man
ness and age. with cl1ivalry and ac-
tivity in every form of useful helpful
ness. What can do to help my
neighbor? What use can I make OF
myself, my privileges and possessions, |
pleasure can be shared by
those least likely to enjoy 1t? These
are Christian questions. and enter vi
tally into the practical daily life OF |
Christian. Every day be as happy as
you possibly can. and try to make
others happy also.
All this has Its immediate applica-
ton In the homo where religion i is
most stoutly tested. and where the
grace Of helpfulness has continual OPP
portunity. What kind of homo is
yours, as far as you are concerned?
With what voice. with what face. with |
what degree of selhshness or unself-
do you meet its daily duties? |
Ask yourself. what means my pres
ence in the home? When I open the
door. do I add to the anxieties or to
the pleasures of the family?
These four rules: To be honest, to
conscience. and to increase tho general
happiness-these are the homely and
necessary virtues which lay the founda.
ton Of the Christians character and
religion. Upon them a fair and God
like structure can be reared. And in
time. by patience and Gods blessing,
we may attain unto the measure of
the stature of the fulness OF Christ"
=-------=----------------=---.
The Springfield Republican has a
habit of asking very pertinent, some
times impertinent, questions. For ex-
ample, in the matter Of Mr. Lodge and
the Senatorial election in Massachu-
sets. it asks: why should Butler
Ames be even thought Of as his sue
cessor?' We give it up. That is one
OF the questions which answers Itself
Lodge is undesirable enough, for some
reasons, but. oh, that Butler Ames!
Heaven spare tho Commonwealth OF
much as we despise 1t.
from such a visitation as that. There
are times and occasions when it is a