Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1911-03-15
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1911.
CLEANLINESS is NEXT TO GoDLI.
NESS.

John Wesley was not only pro-
found theologian and inspirational re-
ligious reformer but also a far-seeing
philosopher who saw relations between
things that are not apparent to the
casual observer. An expression of
such a relation Is contained in his
famous apothegm which has become
proverbial and is often quoted as
Scripture: Cleanliness is next to god
liness." He recognized the fact that
the superiority of the ancient Israel
ties was largely due to the fact that
the Mosaic law required not only spir-
itual but also physical cleanliness, and
he who ministered in the sanctuary
must have not only pure heart but
also clean hands.
In all history the degree of esteem
in which cleanliness has been held
has been a measure of civilization.
Savages are proverbially squaid and
filthy, while the most enlightened peo-
pies are, without exception, the most
clearly.
That uncleanliness is a violation of
the divine law is plainly proven both
by Scripture and history. The whole
Bible bristles with denunciations or
those who violate the eternal laws of
sanitation, and the defamation by pes
thence of peoples who regarded not
these laws is visitation of divine
wrath on evil doors. We need not go
far for examples. Only a few years
ago Havana, Vera Cruz and Panama
were reehing with filth and nurseries
of pestilence; now they are clean and
are becoming famous as health re-
sorts. On the other hand. all the ef-
forts of the Christian missionaries
have failed to induce the teeming mill
ions of China to wash and be clean,
and because they have closed their
eyes and stopped their ears to the
truth one-fourth Of the population of
some districts have fallen victims to
bubonic plague within the last two
months. Who will deny that this is a
judgment Of heaven sent as a punish
ment for violated law?
In proof of the proposition that clean
liness is a cOrollary of goodness,
which it follows as a natural cOnse-
quence, We can find strong proof in the
recent history of Bryan. Only eleven
months ago both the spiritual and the
physical conditions of Bryan had been
practically unchanged for years. In
order to promote religious awaken
ing the Protestant churches all CO.
operated in planning and working for
q great revival for which elaborate
preparations We're made and an emil
nent evangelist was called to conduct
1t. The story of the spiritual results
need not be recounted. But those who
planned and executed that great work
builded even better than they knew.
A little later the Commercial Club was
organized, followed by the taking up
of civic work by the Woman's Club
and the organization of the Civic
League. Who dare say that there is
no relation between these great events, !
all of which have transpired within !
eleven months and which have been !
fraught with such tremendous conse-
quences? Blind NEEDED is he who can |
not see the hand of God in it.
1t is truth not so generally appre- !
ciated as it should be that the most /
Acceptable worship to God is service |
to man. And how can we serve our
fellow men better than by making con-
ditions such that they viii be health !
Ter and happier?