The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-10


best type Of character If not first
there. II is first nowhere. The ethics
Of ConfuciuS may be excellent but
those of Christ must he more excellent
The Sclf-saCriticc of the I5rahmin may
he noble, but that of the Christian must
bc more noble. The loyalty Of the Chris
tian Scientist to Mrs. Eddy may be
great, but that of the Christian to his
Lord must he greater. The humani-
tartan may be philanthropic, hut the
Christian must be moro philanthropic
If Christianity does not prove itself
thus. then ii is II rcdundancy-a thing
which the world could very we'll do
without
QUESTION CHALLENGES
Personal LIFE OF CHRISTIANS
But this question also challenges the
personal life of the Christian. The inn
mediate reference to tho text is to the
unlimited demands of Christian for
bcarancc and sympathy. His follow
crs. Jesus says, must have larger
love. aidcr sympathy than the rest
OF the world. The world is loving but
the Christian must be more loving: the
world is generous to its friends, the
Christian must be generous to his enc
mics; the world forgives unto seven
times. the Christian must forgive unto
seventy times seven. Our interest can
not stop short Mt home; for even bad
mon may be kind to their wives and
families. 1t cannot stop short of our
community for mere philanthropy has
as quick an ear as we 10 the cry OF the
poor and needy at it's door. Patriotism
is not enough: for unbclicvers may be
the best of patriots. Christ's call Is to
higher reaches than any of these
namely, to universal sympathy, unsec-
tionaliHcd love. and that world patriot
ism which knows no barrier of caste
or race, but regards every living soul
rs a brother in the great family of Cod
But Chrisi's question touches the life
Of the Christian at yet other points
OF what character, q. e., is your home
life? Is ii kinder. happier. more Era-
cious than that OF YOUR ncighbor. who
IL not a Christian" Are there fewer
cross words and ugly looks? is there
more patience, more forbcarancc, more
consideration for one another than
there is next door? Are the children
being raised more in the nurture and
admonition OF the Lord? IL there more
of that pcrvasive spirit OF sclf-forSct-
fulness-of those gentle surprises of
loNc-that can make Il palace out of u
novel ana bring the angel choir down
10 The humh!cst hearth? Here is II de
Scription Of one type of home-life:
In well-conductcd household. where
every act is performed according to the
old forms Of courtesy and Kindness
where no harsh words are ever spOleen
whore the young look up TO the aged
with affection and rcspect--where those
whom years have incapaci:nted for
more active duty take upon ,hems elves
the care of the children and render
priceless service in teaching and train
ing--an ideal condition has been real
tied. The daily life of such a home
represents religion in the best and
purcst sense; and the place is holy"
That Is 4 description OF 4 Japanese
home, into which Christ has never en-
tered. Is your home better than that :
Are your children more obedicnt and
happier than those: Is Christ Il better
home maker than Shinlo or Buddha :
Nv hat do y more than others"
HAS CLAIM no BUSINESS As
WELL. AS TO DOMESTIC LIFE
l;ut we cannot stop with the home.
We have a business as well as II do
nestle life, and Christ claims that also.
What do we more than others in the
conduct OF our business? Are we bet
ter business mcn--more efficient. more
courteous, less GraSping-than our
ncighhorS. who are not Christians:
What about our honesty? Are we hon
est just because ii is the best policy,
or because il il right? What about the
kind OF work we arc doing? Is il more
thorough ana honest than that of 9TH
crsf Is the woodwork OF the Christian
carpenter better than that of the non
Christian! Does the Christian con-
tractor build to contract more scrupu-
ouslN-thc Christian clerk waste less
of his employers time? What about
the spirit in which our business is CON
Quoted? Are we crowdng and iostling
/ our weaker brother TO the wall? (For
he IL our brother even if he happens
TO he in the same line Of business as
oursclvcS.) Or are we possessed even
III the matter of dollars and cents with
the spirit of Christine spirit of gen
crosby and fair play--which may no:
make us millionaircs. but will ut least
permit us TO fold our arms at last with
no stain OF nishonor on our souls?
Eut we have also a public AS we'll as