The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-06-11

hc1llCl VI JCd1Ou0s USChNSIl WV pNoPN>
Envy of the gifts and station of one
person on the part of another. At the
last analysis a green substance is LEFT
in the test tube.
Why does one person look with
!! contempt upon another? Because ne
believes that his gifts are his own;
that those powers by which his
achievements have been made are the
rewards of superior merit. Why does
one person envy another? Because
he labors under the same delusion,
and believes that injustice has been
done in the distribution of rewards.
Brethren, that is the philosophy OF
envy and jealousy among men. They
forget that they are stewards of the
manifold grace of God.
And what folly it is! Why should
one steward envy another, when not
foot of land that he treads is his
own? Why should one workman envy
another when the tool he handles be-
longs to the proprietor of the shop?
AS matter of fact stewards do not envy
one another. This is the sin Of those
who imagine that they are the owners
of the goods.
And out of this same folly springs
that kindred nonsense-the relative
valuation of gifts. There is a glitter
and a glare about some gifts that
tempt men to covet them above all
others. Poor deluded souls, we fall
down and worship before a reflection
of the sunshine.
In the church at Corinth the "gift
of tongues" produced such awe and
wonder that those who possessed it
were envied of all. The precious gifts
of wisdom, knowledge, faith and prop
hesy were accounted as nothing; and
Paul had to give them lecture on
gifts" and show them how mistaken
they were. He could thank NGod that
he could speak with tongues more
than they all; yet says he: "In the
church 1 had rather speak five words
with my understanding that I might
teach others than ten thousand in an
unknown tongue"
In our day the gift of "gab" has
taken the place of the gift of tongues
| in certain places, aid men forget that
''that it is not all gold that glitters"
even among the gifts of God, and
sometimes it is but sounding brass
and tinkling cymbal.
And after all, what is it that reflects
honor or dishonor upon man? Is it
the gifts that God gives him? Nay,
verify, but the use he makes of them.
The richest gifts from Gods store
house have been employed for the bas-
est ends. 1t was not the one talent
that condemned the servant to- the
outer darkness, but his own miser-
ab.az confession: 81 was afraid and
went and hid thy talent in the earth. -
Honor and shame from no condition
rise;
Act we'll your part; there all the
honor lies"
But-our text still further limits us
in life's work. We are shut up to the
use of the gift we have received. We
may not lay hold upon the tools OF
another worker in the stewardship.
I"Whatever the gift that each has re-
ceived, use it." Even so minister the
same"
And here We come upon more folly.
If it is not envy, it is childishness.
Some people are always wanting to
minister other peoples gifts. You
have seen the little fellow picking up
his fathers tools He made a pretty
mess of it, didn't he? Well that is
childishness wherever you meet it.
You have heard people say: "If l
had Pockefeller's money, I'd do thus
and thus" Yes, you'd do wonders!
You baby boy with fathers tools!
Rockefeller's money would ruin you in
a week! What big tools baby boy
thinks he can handle! "If I could
preach like Spurgeon, wouldn't mind
entering the ministry says another.
You don't ask much my brother, why
you SO modest? Why not include
! Beecner and JOSeDh Parker and Mar.