The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1911-07-21
SATURDAY NIGHT
&NSEI,22ASERMONS
>WsS1fs, BY
q REESAMUEL
WpURvISDD
THE CALL OF THE DIVINE.

crossroads sat Matthew, signing Gus.
tom receipts for silks, precious stones,
spices, FISH and breadstufrs. True, hs
must extort to get rich, but he will set
his face like flint for few years,
then buy a villa somewhere down in
Judea where no one will know him.
But how about that sermon he heard
from the Nazarene only yesterday?
Man proposes, God disposes. A voice
Is calling In the window OF his booth,
Matthew, follow me-" John Newton,
John Bunyan, Jerry MacAuley, heard
that voice. Matthew wasn't ashamed
OF his new found friend His shame
was that son OF Abraham was col
lecting tribute for gentle people.
How show his gratitudep The wise
men brought their gifts, Mary her ONT
ment, Joseph lends his tomb. Matthew
is not an artist, he cannot paint n
picture; nor a poet, he cannot write
verses; nor yet musician or he would
compose an oratorio for his Master,
but he Is n man of affairs-he will give
dinner And that dinner! The
Pharisees look in the window. Hor-
rors! There is Jesus at Matthew's
side eating with publicans and sinners.
social and religious outcasts! How
can he2 Like n proud southerner eat
ing with a negro. But Jesus doesn't
care, and surely Matthew doesn't
Tho Open Door.
It's a great day In any mans life
when Jesus comes into his street and
speaks to him. If the man turns, his
world turns with him. LIES little
different after that. Here you are n
busy man in n world of fierce Compeu
ton. Lots of things you would rather
not do, but business Is business"
You're little ashamed of n number OF
things; your better self often rebels.
One day the call comes. The great
world Of God opens up to you. Back
of the natural you see the supernat-
ural. Through n sermon, book,
spell of sickness or death you hear
Christ call you for better things. It's
q clear cut call for Matthew. no doubt
ing that, sharp and to the point.
Christ didn't argue, didn't call him bad
names, didn't cast up to him his dis
reputable business, he made no prom
ises. He just said, Follow me" And
Matthew's response was just rs clear
cut. He asked no questions, he Of
fercd no objections, asked no delay, in
lI,i. 1
doubts or puZzling questions. Luke
says, "Anl he forsook all and rose and
followed him" 1t cost him good
bit-gain, luxury, future ease The
post was a God forsalen one: he for
sock that. His associations were dis
reputable, drag to his soul. He gain
ed good conscience. self respect, eter-
nifty.
What Does Christ See?
The ability to see the real man is
rare To be able to look over q squad
Of men or a crowd Of boys and detect
latent possibilities is great art. 1t
doesn't grow on every bush. To the
mass of people Matthew was simply
low down thicving publican, with just
enough ability to coin money out OF
the sweat of honest people. To him
public Office was q public snap. Christ
saw back Of all that unlikely material
the great disciple, the writer of Mat
thew's gospel God looks at vile,
drunken. impure sailor and sees John
Newton; he looks at that blasphemous,
staggering barkeeper In Gloucester
4 VI 1, IL A., r.,
that Needless boy packing boots and
shoes in Chicago and sees Dwight L.
Moody; he looks into a gypsy tent
where there are five little motheress.
ignorant, half heather children and
he sees Gypsy Smith. 1t takes love
to see. He's looking at you and your
great possibilities, my brother. If you
think you haven't a friend In the
world you have. If you think no one
cares. they do. If you think no one
wants you. there is. Just give him n
chance. Only God knows your posi-
bilit1es.
"once to Every Man and Nation"
This story means that for every man
there's n chancellor the most unlike
~, the most degraded, the most de-
spised; for the people born with the
devil in their blood-the blood of the
gambler, the blood of the drunkard, the
blood of the harlot. The wonder is
that some people are rs good as they
are. They've had no chance. Here's
new way Of treating sinners, We've
known courts and prisons, handouts
and bars, for the wrOngdOer. Christ
would get the perverted good out OF
such crude material. He sees each
soul as cavern full OF gems He has
the vision of the sculptor that sees the
inner beauty and symmetry concealed
in the outer shapelessness. | see Mat
thew at his feast, proud OF his guest
sitting at the post of honor. like to
watch the folks who are good to their
minister. Some people find fault and
gossip and make his life miserable.
Too bad! The average shepherd will
give his life for his sheep. Take Christ
to your home. II will mean much TO
you, your wife, your children. You'll
have more money, better health, sleep
sweeter, die happier, because heavens
nearer Is he standing at the door OF
ynur cI1atom booth tOdnv9 Follow him