The Hattiesburg news., 1912-02-19
ELOQUENT SERMON
BY DR.. Watkins
Exercise Thyself Rather Unto Godli'
ness-Text Taken from Words Of
Paul to Timothy.

Paul to Timothy found in the 7th
and Sth verses of 4th Chapter of 1st
Timothy. Exercise thyself rather
unto enthusiastically exercise prof
liable for a little while but Godliness
is profitable unto all things; having
promise of this life and that which is
to come. These words were the coun-
sci of a wise and experienced man in
his instruction to his sons in the Cos
pei. Constructively they were warm
and sincere personal expression of re-
gard and of the interest he felt in the
church. Bodily exercise as here used
may have one or several meanings.
The gymnasiums with its opportunity
for muscle and bone development may
have been in mind. The Greeks had
great concern for physical develop
ment and no sculptor ever set out in
marble form that which had not had
birth in his mind. We may say Paul
had reference to the laborer's use of
his strength; the use of the body in
the accomplishment of the purposes
of life. It might involve reference
to all human activity, whether intellec-
,tual or material, provided 1t had to do
with material affairs. The scientist
with his retort; the chemist with his
scales; all means by which human
comfort is secured or human happi-
ness is promoted. These are profit
able in a little" In a comparative
measure or time. ST. Paul would not
have said that these things are of lit
tie moment. The lazy man would fall
under the Apostolic condemnation, for
he says elsewhere that if one would
not work neither shall he eat, and he
himself boasted that he was charge
to no man. Laziness is productive of
disease or physical ailments. Labor
is a condition of self respect. In
America it is the badge of a gentle
man. When the Englishman boasted
that in England their gentlemen never
worked, the American replied that in
America the same could be said of the
tune for any man to have so much of
this worlds goods as to find work un-
necessary. An idle brain is the DEVILS
worship, and satan still finds some
work for idle hands to do. Life would
not be possible without bodily exer-
else. Exercise means civilization. The
lesson is this, compared with the pri-
mary thing it is of little value. Godli-
ness, godlikeness is a generally prac-
tical thing. We all have more con-
fidence in man who will live soberly,
righteously and godly in this present
world, than for one who could only
shout at camp meeting. Emulation
as well of the life, as of the precepts
of our exemplar is the thing.
Godliness, which is character, is the
greatest thing in the world. Bodily
exercise has to do with this life; God
Illness with that which is to come
This life is but the vestibule to eterni-
ty.
The man who has no more to rec
ommend him than his skill, is going
to be bankrupt in a very little while
Several illustrations were used
to enforce this truth. One
was of two men at st
Louis Fair, who were known as the
fastest fire fighters in the world
What use will there be for their skill
if they should go where there is al
fire and no water? The essential
; the main thing, is character nodded
after the Devine pattern. Essentia
character is the only thing that is go
ing to stand the test. It is demon
= strated that Godliness is the essentia
of your present well being. Consci
ence will not condemn anything yol
ought to do. You know you wouldn'
or couldn't live in Hattiesburg II ther,
were no churches here.
Religion demands that we be frugal
be honest, be Industrious. These arr
conditions of worldly success, likewis,
of Christian character. Methodisn
was born in college, but it soon re
ceived its great impetus from tn,
hard worked, grimy faced colliers, ant
1t has been ever known as working
church and church of workers ant
in consequence 1t is today the strongest
organization in the United States, II
point of wealth. Principles Of Jesus
. Christ are the worldly principals
Godliness is profitable in all things
having the promise of this life and o.
that which is to come. Character Il
the essential thing. Things that max,
for well being here are the things thai
will guarantee happiness over there
The things of this life are of littl,