The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-08-05
A SATURDAY SERMON.

A SATURDAY SERMON.
He that is without sin among you. LET
him first cast a stone at her. st. John
VIII z.
If every individual who is disposed to
find flaws in others would just keep
the words quoted above in mind and
profit by them, it's a surety that the
world would be a much better place in
which to live Certainly that is whar
all people are striving to make it. If
they are not, they should be.
1t will be remembered that the words
of the text were used by Jesus OF
Nazareth when the Scribes and Phari-
sees brought before him woman who
had been unfaithful to her marriage
VOWS. They cast her at his feet, made
their charges against her and called
attention to the fact that under the
laws of Moses such an offender should
be stoned. They asked him for d
judgment in the case. hoping that he
might rule in a fashion that would per-
NIT them to bring charges against him
of being out of sympathy with the laws
as they prevailed. But his answer was
the words used above Nor was there
one of the aecusers who knew himself
punishment on the unfortunate woman
And when Christ had lifted her to her
feet all of them had disappeared. There
as no one left to condemn her fur
Their. Neither did Jesus. He sent her
on her way with the admonition: Go.
and sin no more"
There likely can be little doubt that
the woman had transgressed. There is
likely to be just as little doubt thai
there are good grounds for much of the
criticism which persons of today have
to make against their neighbors and
their friends. But such is not the point
at issue. 1t concerns the unfitness of
any one. but properly constituted legal
authority, to hold up another to scorn
as a sinner. No matter who the ac-
cuser may be, it is more than probable
that he is something of a sinner him
self in one or more particulars.
Humanity is filled with frailties.
Every man and woman has his and her
shortcomings. And because of this
fact 20 one should be hasty in point
ing the finger of accusation at another.
A greater tolerance is needed among
the people of this era, one for the other.
just as it has been in every period OF
time that has passed on its way. In
deed, it appears to be more needed now
than ever before. Preachers and news
papers, or some of them, reformers Ia
and out of politics, are hurting their
hoarse shouts of criticism against al
most every condition and situation that
prevails in the affairs of men, except, |
of course, those of their own little
Of f6nCP Hi9J- |
tribes one might be pardoned for think
ing that every single activity in the ma
ton is built on foundations of corrup-
ton. Almost everybody is classed as |
crook or a wrong-doer of some sort, |
with the exception of the critics arr |
their particular friends. To be sure, |
there is nothing wrong with them, In /
their own opinion. Where did the re-
former ever make his presence known
who considered himself anything but
well-nigh perfect?
Such iucessant and general harangu-
ing as this is pretty poor business IN
the first place, the greater part of 1t "
founded on anything but facts 1t IS
PROMULGATED for Interior purposes
which are often no more important
than 10 attract passing attention ana
gain a little of its applause It's erect
ranr t help but be baneful, especially
among the growing youth of the ma
ton. To keep dinging into their ears
necessarily that the society OF when
thew are soon to be an important part
is rotten TO the core in each and every
1pe of it's muititudinous ramificatlons
IS ANYTHING but good food for the'r
70 MAY l1nOQ.
And it's about time to call hait IL
his direction. It's about time that
little more attention was paid TO tns
yreat law for mortals that was lalo
7own bv Christ in his wonderful ser
mon on the mount when he salu'
Judge not, that We be not luoseu
Far with what judgment ye judge ye
shall be judged: and with what meas
nrs We mete, it shall be measured 10
,,o,, again" Or as he put the same
rbo5elst in other words during ms stay
i, Jerusalem: Judge not. and We shal
not he Judged: condemn not, ana Ihee
shall not be condemned: forgive ana We
shall be forgiven"
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