The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-09-28
a SATURDAY SERMON.

Woe unto them that call evil good. and
good evil that put darkness for light, and
light for darkness; that put bitter for
sweet and sweet for bitter. Isaiah V 20.
These are some Of Gods judgments
for sin, as they were related to the
children of Israel by one of the great
est of all prophets and teachers.
Isaiah. Most of his labors among this
people were directed towards admon-
ishing them to a right living if they
were to obtain peace and happiness
for themselves and for their nation.
He was a firm believer in the idea
that the children of Israel were peo-
pie chosen to fulfill Gods purposes
among the nations of the earth he
believed that God had made a wonder
full promise to Abraham and to David,
a promise, conditional, of course, on
Israels good behavior and proven
worthiness that there should be at
last a universal peace, with universal
righteousness, and that this most de-
sirabIe state of affairs was to come
during their lifetime. 1t was 1saiah's
lifework to enjeavor TO direct the
steps of the Israelites in the ways that
they should go so that this promise
would be fulfilled Nearly ali IF his
against the wicked and the sinful.
Often did he cry out to them: There
is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the
wicked" And he labored almost eX-
clusively with he masses and not with
their rulers.
Isaiah's efforts to lead his people tn
such a marvellous goal were in Valll'
but his work was not without profit
- of Universal
peace and happiness did not come to
prevail on earth during the life of the
children of Israel. They fell lar short
of showing themselves worthy of il.
That they made progress un1er
Isaiah's teachings, towards a desirable
condition of righteousness, is not to
he gainsaid Ever since the time or
Isaiah the self-same struggle has been
going on. And the victory is not yet |
There have been prophets, and preach
ers. and teachers, too, who have di-
rected their unending and great en-
ereies along the same lines as were
pursued by Isaiah. None of them |
have vet seen the achievement on
ANYTHING ike the desired end. Hut
all have helped with a greater CT
smaller measure to speed the happy
day along.
Regardless CT the wailing of the
pessinists, and their number is not
few nor are their voices weak, the
people on earth today are closer.
though still far away, to a universal
than has ever been TIE
case in the history of all time. They
will approach it nearer as the battle
progresses against sin and wickednesS
in all its FORMS And this battle must
be carried on chiefly by the indiv1d-
uals themselves. No nation, regard
less of it's governmental endeavors,
will be any oetter or worse than tie
average of the human beings who
comprise it. Until they, individually.
ascend generally to a righteous state
there is no need of expecting that a
great peace and happiness will prevail
On earth, or IN any portion of it for
a long continued period.
And so the struggle against sin and
should be carried on I'M
,easingiy. The preachers and the
teachers of all creeds and schools are
playing and will play an important
part in the conflict. They are this
first aid to the injured, as it were. But
results worth while will only be
achieved by every person fighting his
own failings and shortcomings with a
sincere desire to overcome them.