The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-03-11


is the gate, and broad is the way, that
lcadeth to destruction, and many there be
which go In thereat. st. Matthew VII H.
Everyday experiences in this world
as they develop on all sides and before
the eyes of every one substantiate the
great truth that is conveyed in these
words of Jesus Christ which he utter
ed in his famous sermon on the mount.
The gate which opens on the way to
destruction is just about as wide as
the earth. The roads which lead to it
are countless. Travel along many of
them is particularly easy for a lesser
or greater part of the way. There are
many false attractions builded on
these highways which are especially
enticing to men and women. People
are often blinded by the glitter of
them, it would seem. To many, the
broad avenues, and they are generally
lined with the things that make for
vice in one form or another, are as
ways lighted with sunshine and strewn
on every side with roses. But such
folk are victims of decisions. They
do not realize the utter folly of their
endeavors until nearing the ends of
these PATHS when destruction sucks
them into it's maelstrom. Their future
in life, if there is any left to them, is
as dark as is their future in death.
Probably the Creator of all things,
the supreme power which orders the
affairs of life, has purposely made the
gate to destruction and disaster a
wide one so as to test to the limit the
strength of mems bodies, the force of
their souls. For surely the good life,
the really happy life, the true life
would not be worth the attainment if
it could be obtained with little or no
effort. Nothing is actually worth very
much If it is procured with ease. with
out stern exertions and sacrifices. The
gambler who wins pile of money on
the deal of a deck of cards is gem
orally borrowing the price of a meal
from his friends on a day or two after
his successful coup. The money that
came to him SO easy is dissipated by
him much easier. But the man who
works hard and long in an honest way
for the money that is coming to him,
whether it be large sum or small
one, is almost certain always to have
money in his pockets. He has learned
and appreciates the value of it.
So it is in all other things. Those
which are worth having, which are
most desirable, are the ones which
come only after an expenditure of
honest and laborious energies. And
because, as Christ says later on in the
same wonderful sermon from which
are the words quoted above, 'tstrait
is the gate and narrow is the way
which leadeth into life, and few there
be that find it," that is the exact rea-
son why unusual efforts should be de-
manded of, and made by every one to
find it. Perhaps it will not be as APP
parently attractive way at the start
as the one going in the direction of
the wide gate that leads to destruc-
ton. But that is because the real es-
sential things for true happiness and
right living are not as readily appre-
ciated and understood as are the
grosser things of life, which have well
nigh irresistible charms for human
beings, and which appeal to their pas
sions. A reveller in false philosophy
once remarked that "to sin beautifully
is to be great" The fallacy of such
an argument, or suggestion, is so ap-
parent it emphasizes the true philoso-
ply that there is nothing of the beau
tiful in any sort of sin or vice. 1t
should be Stunned as is the poisonous
serpent.