Evening star., 1912-09-07
Overwhelming Popular
ity: the Peril OF Great
Achievement. Mark, I:45 );
3:7-Io; o:3I-33: 6:54-56; 2
Chronicles, o:23-24.

meaning of the miracle then popularity
begins to wane, and the battle for the
truth comes on.
Our lessons have to do with Jesus at
the high point of His popularity, and
with Solomon at the hour in his life when
wealth and wisdom brought him such re-
nown that sages and kings not only came
to see him and to hear his words, but paid
him tribute as the world-king of his day.
In the case of the Master this popularity
laid so heavy tribute upon His time
and human powers that He fed before it,
seeking to extend His fathers kingdom in
those remoter portions of the land where
He might work and still have time for
prayer. In the case of Solomon popu-
larity spelled ruin. He strove to maintain
the high esteem of men, rather than to
retain the appreciation of God. He failed
and left weakened empire and the
worthless son; the one to fall apart the
other to play the fool. for it is not in the
praise of men, but in sturdy character and
deeds we'll done that the final and abid-
ing approval of history is recorded
But while the results were so far di-
vergent in the cases of Jesus and Solo
mon, the perils encountered were much
the same in each case: and careful
survey OF the fields on which great life
battles have been fought and won reveals
three perils more often present and more
dangerous than the rest-perils that come
With popularity as certainly as daylight
comes with the rising sun. Popularity
brings on. in order, these three things:
1. TT STOPS THE SPRINGS OF POWER.
The greatness of Solomons wisdom and
wealth was born of that night of vision
and prayer in which he chose the former.
and God gave the latter; and SO long as
his popularity did not interfere with his
piety Solomon expanded like some mon
arch OF the woods that lifts itself above
the other trees. But in the hour when
he had to choose between preparation of
G(,llI nT. ha ajca nf nd rI,< Nh
latter, his power began TO wane and he
lost the faith that calls down fire upon
the sacrifice.
Jesus had TO make the same choice,
for they crowded Him that we find
Him in fight seeking some desert place
| in which to pray. His power was born
| of communion with His Father, and
when that communion was broken by the
wild acclaim of men He realized that the
springs OF power would soon dry up and
SO He sought again the sweet communion
which only may be had in fullest meas
ure as we foregO the plaudits of the
thrOng to seek the appreciation of our
God.
Nothing so dulls the edge of holy
power. nothing so saps the strength of
real character, nothing so breeds in
the fear of men and the dread of what
they possibly may say like being caught
in the meshes of sudden popularity. God
save US from that snare!
WRONG PLACE.
AS in the reading of some document
the emphasis may govern the meaning.
50 a wrong prominence given to that
which is not, after all. the important
thing may lead the soul astray. until it
finds itself incapable of that ripe judg-
ment which makes for clearest vision and
noblest decision.
Men have been drunk with wine, and
drunk with power; have made god OF
gold and worshiped it; but nothing so
peryerts the vision of saint or sinner,
great or small, like the bewildering in
toxication of popularity.
Our first intention is TO do the right;
and, nobly striving. We accomplish that
to which we set our hand. Then some
one praises us; that spurs us on; until at
last we work not for a noble cause, or
to advance the claims Of God. but that
our ears may hear the sweet, bewitch-
ing strains Of human praise. Then, all
less we feel the stimulation of applause
and popularity becomes the end of our
existence. God pity us when we have
reached the stage where we keep listen
ing for the praise Of men.
III. THE ONLY ANTIDOTE.
When the proud moment comes. in any
life, that brings its garland of unstinted
praise, then men most need the chasten-
ing power of humble, self-renouncing
prayer There is but one true antidote
for the insidious poison praise. That
counteracting force is the humility that
only comes. as We examine our true
merits in the secret place of prayer.
How paltry seems our wisdom there
beside the wisdom of the Lord: how
impotent we seem beside His power:
how selfish seems our service. in the light
Of His great love. Yes. there is great
peril in an overwhelming popularity; but
once we get our bearing on the sea of
life and learn the dangers lurking there
we will steer clear Of many shoals, but
chiefly seek to avoid the treacherous cur
rents of the praise of men. Well sings
Kipling:
1.-THE tumult and the shouting dies:
The captains and the kings depart;
Still stands thine ancient sacrifice,
humble and a cOntrite heart.
Lord, God Of Hosts. be with us yet.
Lest forget, lest we fOryet!''