The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-01
Working Out Ones Dreams.
Terse Comments for March 2, THE
Ideal Christian. III. His Practical
Service Matt. 5:13-16.
CBY WILLIAM 7. ELLIS.)

The most practical thing in the
world is a great ideal Nations are
not made by machinery, or by so call
ed practical men but by dreamers
of dreams. The important fact about
a community is whether or not 1t IS
planting noble ambitions in the minds
of its young people. Are they think
ing the high thoughts of chivalry, out
of which spring the later deeds of hu-
man service? Before we talk about
rivers, let us consider springs. Cause
must be studied before effect. Ideals
beget deeds. The reason we, of this
western continent have astoniShed the
old world by our practical achieve
ments is that we are essentially
dreamers and idealists; and children
of dreamers and idealists. We have
greatly dared and greatly done be-
cause our vision, the vision of our
fathers was magnificent Out of the
thoughts of fearless, godIy hearts has
come the empire of the west.
This is the day of methods. We
have books and committees and or
CARNATIONS upon how to do things
until we are almost method mad.
Amid our feverish haste, and the
whirr of much machinery, we hear
the old. old word, Where there is no
vision the people perish Aspiration
alone animates the activity that avails.
"Get busy and do it now are the
two popular notices that we see in
shops and offices. There is one that
precedeS these 1t is Get right"
I Proper relationship with the springs
of service should precede forms of
service. And the conviction seems to
be growing among men of our time
that the real need of Christianity is
not more work or more money, but
upon God, and more of personal COM
munion with Him. Sometimes the
most practical service is to go apart
awhile and listen.
All service ranks the same with
There is no last nor first
Robert Browning.
Given a master motive, and a man
simply must serve. He cannot help
himself, any more than the spring can
help flowing or the light keep from
shining or the sweet flower keep from
radiating perfume The ideal Chris
tan cannot keep from doing the
Lords work. He may know nothing
about modern methods. but the love
for the Master will naturally overflow
, from his life in ministry. He will help
people because it is his new nature so
to do. If he stops to analyze himself
at all. he will say with the Apostle
! Paul, THE love of Christ constraineth
me"
Your sincere Christian is never
troubled by the laws against gamb-
ing, runkennSSS or inert. why not
They bother others; why is he eX-
ernpt? Simply because he lives
higher law. which removes from him
the very temptation to these lower
offenses The point is further ampli-
fed in quotation from Hugh Evan
der Willis:
The common law of the United
States and England tells men what
not to do; the uncommon law of the
Kingdom of heaven tells men what to
do. Follow the principles of this I'M
/ common law for the coming year. and
not only will you not violate any of
| the principles of the common law, but
/ you will enjoy a happiness that can
never come to those who live only
under the laws of earthly kingdoms
| and governments
Anybody who is signing for an op-
| portunity for service in these days is
let it be said as gently as possible
simply a Ounce. IT it is not oppor-
tunities he needs, but eyes. The &C.
casions for being helpful. in the name
of Jesus are at everybodY's door,
and they range all the way from car