The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1911-10-13
SATURDAY. MIGHT
SERMONSa1as,
Tf(iGh\N,
RESAMUELW. pURvTS.D.
IRE HoLDuP ON THE JERICHO ROAD

i do not wonder that great 1rhter-
nal organization has made this story
the basis for their magnificent ritual
They couldn't better link divine and
human. The fascinating parable gives
us an insight into the heart OF God
and man. Fifteen miles from Jerusa-
lem is the city OF Jericho The trail
led down Il wild canyon through dense
forest and giant powders. Robbers
and outlaws most desperate frequented
the road. II was "Your money or your
both. Down the lonely path
comes Jewish trader, his pack on
back, his wad buckled tight in belt.
At sharp turn In the road half
dozen desperadoes leap from bushes.
There's short fierce struggle.
crushing blow on the skull OF the way
farcr, and he lies bleeding and sense
less.
"Passod by on the Othor Side"
The travellers most naked and half
dead. Toward shutdown comes return
ing consciousness. Footsteps are near
ing. "God, the merciful," he muttcrs.
"a priest of the templew He closes his
eyes, half comforted. He hears rustic
of sacred apparel, but 1t quickly
passes away. He's gone by ION the
other side" The man doesn't belong
to his parish, and it's growing dark; 1t
may be scheme to rob him. There's
meeting of church officers he must
attend. lie will notify the authorities
when he reaches town. But there's an
other coming! Surely he will help! "A
Levite, an officer in the house of God"
hopefully whispers the sufferer. God
is gracious after ALL" He tries to call
out, but nearly swoons. The Levite
turns and looks at him. ats fellow
Jew. Too bad some people are so I'M
fortunate. There ought to be better
enforcement OF law against thieves"'
He'll notify some city missionary or
slum worker about this case. He must
hurry on. His footsteps grow faint
er and fainter. Yonder upon a don
key comes third. The wounded
man groans. It's n Samaritan-a mon
grel, despised, half heather Samaritan!
How the Jews hated the Samaritans-
can't expect anything there! Samari-
tan will give look OF contempt; Jew will
give curse. But no, see! He dismounts,
gives wine, bathes with OIL, soon has
crippled Jew on his beast, bears him
TO n wayside inn. Next morning he
pays the bill. Take care of him. II
there's any more I'll pay the bill when
come back"
A little group is drinking in greedily
the story from Christ's life. "Of these
three, who was neighbor to the Jew"
says the Master. There's but one an
swer, "The Good Samaritan" Moth
ing in all teachings OF Christ brings
out the whole gospel better than this
parable. The matchless story will
never lose its force. Accident and
want are still the common lot Of man
kind. All men are liable to fall among
thieves. Disease is the thief that robs
men Of wealth. Misfortune snatches
away the savings OF lifetime. Sian
der tilches a good name Strong drink
is robber that deprives men OF
health, happiness and hope Of heaven.
Three Sources Of Misfortune.
The miseres of mankind are OF
| three sources. First. from God
Whom the Lord loveth he chasten-
eth" MANY are the Affections of the
| righteous" Certain ills there are not
| OF human origin. God permits and
uses them, II he does not actually send
| them. The second source Is from self.
| There's q certain inseparable connec-
| ton between conduct and suffering.
| Hes his own worst enemy, chap
lain" I've had the attendant say to
me in prison and hospital. The vic
tim mods his head. ut sure gets ye
In the end he vouchsafes. 'It'' re-
fers to the life he has led. Dirt,
drink and dissipation have as by
products distress, disease and death.
| A third source is from our fellows.
MANS inhumanity to man." etc. The
traveller in the parable fell not among
| wild beasts. but human beasts of prey.
Robbery and murder are not confined
to the desolate Jericho road, but are
matters Of daily occurrence in New
York, New Orleans, Chicago and San
Francisco. That coughing, emaciated
| girl attended and buried yesterday
from the tenement was not victim
of a highwayman's club, but over
work. inadequate wages and finally
seduction In the shop Of broadcloth
robber. He sent bunch Of flowers.
My blood boiled. VOW l saw on them
serpent's slime. The chief robbers of
today are appetite, lust and greed
these three, but the greatest OF these
is greed. They haunt our national
highways too Business interests u
wars for markets." dollar diplo-
macy" constitute their yeggman vo-
cabulary. Nation and corporation are
stained with blood Of the helpless.
They even rob and fatten on the souls
OF women and children.
"Who is your neighbor" A black
man stood on n car roof at JOhnstown,
the waters dotted with drowning hui
manity, he extending his hand, not
asking whether Odd Fellow, Metho-
dist or Republican, nor did they no
tice his hand black or white. They
were simply "neighbors" in need. A
bum lamb" in western drover par
lance Is one too weak to keep up with
the flock, He's left to perish with
hunger or devoured by coyotes.
pass so many on my way down TO the
| city mission, "bum lambs" weak and
| urpnndaH prtooctc oF r,A