The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-30

ures. petty plans. petty cares concern
ing self engross 1t. No other lives are
better for its existence. 1t Ii an I'M
poverished soul. which Is the saddest
spectacle the angels ever look upon.
Tremendous capacities are unused;
for money. when consecrated. can buy
tho noblest of opportunities. Such q
pauper spirit as this might have been
rich by living through other lives
might have educated girls or boys.
might have equipped talented men or
women to do great work, might nave
established institutions of ministry OF
q hundred sorts. With opportunity to
serve richly its own time. this poor.
miserable, atrophied soul 10 content 10
live only to prolong its own existence.
We wonder what another world has In
store for tho spirits which have in
this world thus stupidity and sordidly
starved their capacities?
Gifts are tho freight cars pulled by
tho engine of prayer. A trainless en-
gine and an engineless train are both
rather useless objects.
Gifts. of gold may be brazen. but
conservation makes golden even the
gifts Of copper.
Money is never an adequate substi-
tute for personal services when the lat.
ter il possible. Only they who cannot
possibly go themselves are asked 10
send.
There il a wireless telegraph appA-
rAtus in q home known to me. and the
boys explain that they can only receive
Fbnt not send. TT takes power 70 senu;
their aerial to catch messages from far
and near. and never send message
in return. The incident Il parable
of life. It costs 70 send. To give q
message to tho world: to express ones
personality in ones time; ceus 1or
and selfish lives are only receivers:
while those lives which bless mankind
have g1ven Of their substance ana OF
their selves.
Nowadays most persons receive many
calls to help. This brings the respon-
sibility to weigh each one carefully.
The exercise Of judgment Is as 1mpoF-
tant a gift as the bestowal Of money.
The obligation to- give wisely Is as sa-
Tho Gift does not end with the CIV
ing. A brave sense of stewardship re-
Quires that one follow his gifts with
careful solicitude to see that they are
wisely expended. Every board ana ev-
from the public should be held rightly
| to q full and detailed accounting. We
give most Worthily when we assume the
worthy use Of our gifts. The idle fling
ing Of q coin to an undeserving beggar
IL no true benevolence: it is a cheap
ana easy way of buying relief to our
own feelings. So to give to any cause
which does not wisely and economically
expend its receipts is foolish charity.
In q word, 1t is as much a part of a
giver's duty to examine financial re-
Iports as 1t 10 to- read appeals for aid.
! SEVEN SENTENCE SERMONS.
The good Of many always depends
upon the courage and fidelity Of the
Z . .
Tho conscious ability to do without
happiness gives tho best prospect OF
realizing such happiness a. il attain
able.-J. 8. MIL.
Who never doubted. never half be-
Where doubt, there truth is-'tis her
shadow. -s--s.-~
Tho strongest man in tho world is
he who stands most alone.-Ibsen.
= z
| A sound discretion il not SO much in
dictated by never making a mistake, as
by never repeating it.-sovee. =
have been young, and now am old:
Yet have not seen the righteous for
saken,
Nor his seed begging bread.
Ps 37:25
. = Q
| OF all the evil spirits abroad At this
hour in the world, insincerity II the
most dangerous.-Froude.