The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-03-25
A sAruRpAY SERMON.
Let every one of us please his neighbc
for his good to edification. Romans XIV

Let every one of us please his neighbor
for his good to edification- Romans XIV 2
selfishness is the great curse of hui
manity. And altogether too much of,
more than ever before, prevails among
the men and women in the world today.
This is apparent on all sides. In the
hurry through life-and that is also one
of the great failings of modern people
and especially those in this country
each man and woman, or rather most
of them-for there are exceptions in
these respects as in all others-appear
to give little or no concern for the well
fare of their neighbors. It's just the
same in social activities as it is in tho
field of business. It's a case of every
body for himself.
This seems to have been one of the
weaknesses of human nature as long as
people have been on the earth. That 1t
was in existence in the age of long ago,
when the apostle, Paul, was devotiug
lis life and his wonderful abilities to
preaching words of wisdom to all pep
pie, is evident. Else the thought would
not havs occurred to him to express the
idea which is conveyed in the words
quoted above. But it would seem that
this condition of affairs is more ag-
gravated at this period of existence
than ever before. And therefore, these
words of Paul to the Romans are espe-
cially forceful today They are well
worthy the attention of all persons who
have a mind to better the conditions
surrounding themselves and their ac-
quaintances, and also the strangers
with whom they come in contact. For
in it's broader Interpretation, the word
"neighbor'' includes every individual
who crosses the path of another.
Talk to an elderly person of today,
and his memory will bark back to a
time when things were not always like
this, or not nearly as pronounced as
they are nowadays. He will call them
pleasant memories, too. They will re-
cali to him the time when almost every
body was more or less interested in the
right way in the affairs of his neigh
bors; when everybody was willing to
lend each other helping hand in all
things; when a generous hospitality
and a true courtesy were almost as sec
ond nature in the dealings of every one
with another. How different is that
pleasing picture WIFI the one LI-dL A. -
not difficult to see, anywhere today.
There is no need to dilate on the picture
that modernity presents in this respect
1t is too unpleasant and too familiar to
all. And, it surely bespeaks of the
necessity for change.
This world, fine as it is to live in,
would be a much better place-a place
mere more real joy and happiness
would abound-if every man and wo-
man held their neighbors in more kind
ly regard: if they stopped occasionally.
and the oftener the better, in their mad
rush for business or social success to
do some little thing that would be really
pleasing to their friends and acquaint-
ances and the strangers within their
gates; some little thing that would
show these latter that their neighbors
were interested in their welfare: 1t is
actually the greatest pleasure in life
for a man or a woman to do another
good turn. 1t brings happiness all
around. And the pursuit of these fine
pleasures should be more general.