The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1913-07-11

!8 ~ = q he says, "profteth
a little but godH-
ness is profitable unto all things. hav-
ing promise of the life that now 1s
and that which is to come"
would especially emphasize the
promise of the life that now Is" be-
cause that is what most young peo-
pie are thinking about. They admit
the value of godliness so far as the
future is concerned. but that seems
afar off, 1t is the present that con-
Germs them, and if godliness can be
Of benefit to them now, they would
like to know it. You pay a premium
on life insurace policy for many
years in the hope of securing an an
nuity in old age; or you venture your
capital in an investment with the ex-
pectation of an ultimate profit. but
godliness is not like those things. 1t
is more like comfortable estate In
the hands of trustee yielding regu-
lar support, or bona fde business
which maintains the proprietor from
the moment he engages in 1t.
In other words, there is not single
want of our nature for which there ls
not specific promise in the Bible
ready to be made over to us If we
comply with the simple and reasonable
conditions. Is it food and ralment!
Seek ye first the kingdom of God
and his righteousness, and all these
things shall be added unto you" Is
1t counsel and direction in our daily
affairs? "If any man may lack wis
DOM let him ask of God who g1veth
to all men literally, and upbraideth
not" Is it support in old age and
death? My God shall supply all your
needs according to his riches in glory
by Christ Jesus"
The Testimony of Experience.
But passing now from the testimony
of the Bible reflect on that from OBJ
servation and experience. Take the
question Of health, and the life insur-
ance companies, just referred to. will
tell you that they make special rates
for those whose habits are supposed
to be promoted by true godliness
Take the question of fortune. and
while it is not affirmed that the godly
always become rich in this worlds
goods. yet they make better workmen.
more judicious managers and clearer
thinkers all of which improves their
financial status. THE blessing of the
Lord it maketh rich and he addeth no
sorrow with it..
Take the question of ones influence
and standing among men. Does not
the world respect and value truly
godly man? Would not the world rath-
er deal with men who obey the laws
of God than with those who disobey
them? truly godly man will not sell
his vote, nor defraud a neighbor. nor
deceive a friend He will give full
measure and weight. and will tell the
truth. These things make up his rep
utation and his character, and. as j.
Pierpont Morgan testified before the
congressional committee, they are his
capital, and without a dollar In his
pocket he can obtain credit where
another, even with welllined purse.
would not be trusted.
Then, further, one might speak of
the profit of godliness upon the vari-
GUS tempers and habits of the mind.
1t steadies the variable, it cheers the
despondent, it brings peace to the
conscience, SO that even if godly
man had nothing to expect hereafter.
it would be better. all things consid-
cred, for him to practice godliness
for it's profit to him here.
What Ia GodIiness?
But what is godliness? 1t is not
merely making profession of Chris
tianity and uniting with the church.
because there is such thing as the
form of godliness without its power"
The thought of this text is addressed
to young man who was already a
Christian; who had already believed
on the Lord Jesus Christ and had
been regenerated by his Holy Spirit;
and that to which he is urged is sim
ply to conform his daily life more to
the gospel he had thus embraced To
practice godliness, therefore, one must
first be godly, and to be godly in the
Bible meaning of that term, involves
a clean heart and a right spirit which
God bestows on them who accept him
and confess his Son. He that hath
the Son hath life and he that hath
not the Son of God, hath not life''
Il Jno. V 12). The first principle of
godliness is obedience to God. and the
first principle of that obedience is
submission to the yoke of Christ.
There Is tide in the affairs of men
Which taken at the flood. leads on to for
tune;
Omitted. all the voyage of their life
Is bound III shadows and in miseries"
If fortune be taken In its highest
and holiest sense. then the tide that
carries thither is the Name Above
Every Name, ana there is none other
name under heaven given among men
whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:
12). "Now is the accepted time. today
is the day OF salvation" e Cor. 6:2).
Hear and your soul shall live"
Learn a lesson from the times
In these days men are bent on the
development of their outward man, but
do thou. not neglecting or despising
that, be equely bent ON the develop
uinut of thy inner man.