South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-05-23

MEMS RESPONSIBILITY.
I. All We Have We Got From God.
Life itself is . gift from God. For
IL is ne that hath made us ana not we
ourselves. for we are his people and
the sheep Of his pasture" our life
is a sacred trust like all our other
possessions. IL is not ours. in the
sense OF ownership. and we are re-
spOnsible to God. our maker. for the
way we use this precious trust. No
thanks to us that We have such mar
velous bodies and that our souls ere
capable OF such exquisite enjoyment.
That we are in the positions in which
tons is due 10 Providence and lot
20 Us. Our environment is a matter
over which we had little control and
Is very rarely due TO our own initia-
tive. while our heredity is entirely be-
yond our control Even the oppor-
tunities we have for doing good are
largely due 20 causes outside of our
own creating. The food we eat and
the appetite to enjoy it primarily are
gifts from God with which we have
no more TO do than we have with the
color of our hair or the height OF our
stature. Our mental ability is also
a gift OF the Creator and whether We
have five, two or one talent, they have
been given to US by the giver of all
good. In addition TO all our other
equipments or gifts we are blessed
with the gospel Of Jesus Christ. which
makes provision for our earthly well
fare. as well as for the salvation or
our souls.
2. God is Master as Well a. Father.
There is no room for Boosting or
glOrying in this world, for any man.
for all we have came from the heav-
emily Father. God is our father and
il is a very blessed relationship, OF
which all the sons of men may avail
themselves. God, however, is wise
father. and that ne may care for Us IN
a way prompted by his infinite pa
ternal love, he is also orr master.
He has a right to our obedience and
loyalty and we are under obligations
to faithfully administer the trust
which ne has committed TO US. We
have a work to do, which has been as
signed US by him, and he expects il to
be accomplished. If we neglect or
are the means of neglecting our fellow
men, or causing offenSe TO any, II were
better for us that a milestone were
hanged about our necks and we be
cast into the sea. God is our law
giver for he is the author OF all law,
physical and spiritual, and woe be TO
upon the laws of God. When we
have done our full duty we have no
right to boast OF that fact, because
we have simply done right
3. None Are i'm "a Position To
Boast. AS just minated. God sets us
our tasks. and holds Us responsible
for doing them. When they are not
done, we are to be blamed. and when
they are accomplished, while God re-
wards us for so doing we have no
right to glory, but rather TO be humble
and thankful that God is such a kind
master and loving father. A man
who. by the grace of God, is living a
right and a useful life, may we'll feel
thankful. but If he is a true man he
will give all the glory to God for the
ability to be faithful TO his duty. one
who is in a prominent position ought
not to be proud because of that fact,
nor will he. If he is a humble thinker,
and allows the facts to speak FOR
themselves but he will in that case
give the thanks and glory to God, who
has honored him with success and
placed responsibility upon him. \
rich man, who is also a good man,
will not glory in his riches, but VIII
acknowledge that he is indebted for
his wealth. and the capacity Of enjoy
ing it, to God, the giver Of every good
and perfect gift, and will glory in the
Lord. He will also administer this
gift of God as a steward Of the Most
High.
1. Let Us Give Glory 10 God. The
way Some people feel. IL we may
Judge them by their words and acts.
is that God is under great obligation
10 them for the great things which
they have zone, and many who may
not be conscious OF this self-righteous
feeling are no doubt as guilty of this
sin as others who make their boasts of
their great achievements. IL is the
duty OF every man 10 give glory TO
God, by acknowledging him as the
author and giver of all he is. and OF
all he possesses. The devout men OF
the Bible, and especially in the book
Of Psalms. strike their loftiest notes
in giving praise and glory to God, for
the wondrOus things which he has
done for them We should tell of God g
goodness and thus be witnesses 10
his love. and hence by means OF our
testimony others may be led from the
service OF sin and Satan TO the wor-
ship of God. IL is a good thing 10
sing Gods praises in the public con-
gregation. The habit OF some fash
ionable churches 10 let the choir
praise God on behalf OF the people. is
not a Christian. but a heather custom.
We should sing Gods praises in our
homes. and in our hearts we ought
always 10 be praiSing and making
melody TO God And. in the last
place. we should give glory to God by
doing OF our fellows what he is doing
for us.