The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1911-08-10

day with their unlawful deeds.--2 Peter
81.
These words bring before US the
story of man who was anxious to be
rich. Let US recall the story and see
what his overpowering desires for
riches led him into. Lot was assoc
ciated with Abraham from the first
move from Ur of the Chaldees. With
Abraham he tarried at Haran, and
went down into Egypt, and returned
from Egypt But to be perfectly fair,
Lot should be considered apart from
Abraham. face that Is comely may
suffer by comparison with one that Is
beautiful. So the character of Lot suf-
fers by comparison with Abraham.
and we will take him by himself. That
he was Just man we have on the au-
thority of the New Testament
Crises do not make character, they
affairs of Lot. He and Abraham had
grown to such wealth in flocks that
they could no longer dwell together.
So Abraham took him upon a high
eminence and told him to choose any
locality where he wished to dwell.
And here 1t is that Lots character is
brought out in its true colors. He
thinks he has the chance of his life.
No consideration of Abraham enters
his mind. He gets where he can look
over the land. and then he chooses.
What did he ochoose2
Then Lot chose him all the plain
OF Jordan and Lot journeyed east; and
they separated themselves one from
the other. Abraham dwelled In the
land Of Canaan. and Lot dwelled in
the cities Of the plain. and pitched his
tent toward Sodom."
He chose the well.watered plain In
the valley of the Jordan because 1t
was rich and like Egypt. He had
never forgotten Egypt, with its great
saw that In the plain were cities, CEN
tiers of commerce. where men were
making money fast. The only con-
sideration that entered his mind was
his own personal advantage.
You notice that It said that Lot
pitched his tent toward Sodom. Why
not within Sodom?" Because he knew
perfectly well that Sodom was wick
ed city. that the people of that city
dishonored the God whom he wished
to serve. So he did not feel right
about going into the city, but he
would get near 1t for the material ad.
vantage 1t would mean to him.
pnf LOT yuh hot ha
the fourteenth chapter of Genesis We
read that Lot is living in the city. and
he has become an important man.
Lot sat In the gate" He had become
a chief magistrate, an administrator
of justice, and one who extended the
hospitality Of the city to strangers.
What a wonderful case or success
Was he not right that day he made
his choice? Try him by the business
standards of today Look at Abraham
He is still pitching his tents up and
down the hills and valleys, and that
Is all he has amounted to.
But let US not be hasty In our eulo-
gy. Let us get all the facts. Lot had
become wealthy, and he had position.
but what had 1t all done for him? A
ray Of light is thrown on the story
by our New Testament. We learn
that Lot "vexed his righteous soui
from day to day" Is that condition
to live in? He was living among peo-
pie who did not observe common de-
was there. and he could not get away.
When men were saying. How we'll
Lot is getting along" he never had
an hours peace.
do not think Lot had gotten very
much out of his success. Abraham
pitched his tent yonder in the hills,
and tit his altar fire, and worshiped
God; and he got great deal more
peace and happiness than Lot.
But what had Lots wealth and sue
cess done for his children? Would not
they be well brought up and well pro-
vided for? You know the awful story
of corruption and sin that came out OF
came and warned Lot of the doom
that was coming upon the city:
And the men said unto Lot, Hast
thou here any besides? Sons-in-law.
and thy sons, and thy daughters. and
whatsoever thou hast In the city.
bring them out of this place: for we
will destroy this place, because the
cry of them Is waxen great before the
face OF the Lord; and the Lord hath
sent us to destroy 1t. And Lot went
out, and spake unto his sonsin-law,
which married his daughters. and
said, up, get you out Of this place;
for the Lord will destroy this city,
But he seemed as one that Knocked
unto his sons-in-law."
That shows the influence he had
over his family. Next morning when
he fed the city. only his wife and
| two daughters accompanied him.
Let me point out just one lesson OF
this story. There is success that ends
in failure. Man can do great deaf
! without God You may acquire wealth
| and position without God. and men
| may flatter you. But after all. what
| good is It? There will be no peace
OF mind. no abiding happiness. and
your wealth and power will never ac-
complish any good purpose. 1t is
right to desire success, but If you
leave Gcd out Of the question 1t will
end in failure.
So when you are Framing your own
life. or choosing the life-work OF
your children. your first consideration
should be whether you and they can
| .s..,o Goa In tho calling whicn vtn.