River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1914-07-30


one can see it
without having his heart irresistibly
drawn toward the Giver Of every good
and perfect gift, who so loved the
world as to give His Only Begotten
Son, that whatsoever believeth i'll Him
might not perish, but have everlasting
life"
Today Pastor Russell preached from
the text. $50 is he that layeth up treas
ure for himself. and is not rich toward
God. Luke 1921.
The Pastor began his discourse with
the declaration that ours Is the day Of
Wealth. Nothing to compare with it
has ever been known in the worlds
history. Not merely have we discover
ed rich deposits of gold, silver and
precious stones; not merely are these
being mined In provident and sue
cessful manner, with which nothing in
the past could compare; but additional
" the world is growing richer in every
conceivable way
This statement was illustrated by
reference to the growth of our cities
in size and beauty, in sanitary conve-
niences, in spacious parks, in good.
paved streets and bouevards: and to
our industries, which are multiplying
machinery perfected within the last
fifty years and turning out products of
convenience and value. These add
greatly to the worlds comfort and ma
terial wealth, and are not merely per-
ishable articles such as clothing and
bric-a- brac, but substantial edifices,
etc. Vast libraries. both public and
private. are being acquired. Many for
mer luXur1es are becoming almost ne
cessities, because of the facility with
which they are produced. All these
things. and many others, constitute
riches, one glance at which would
amaze our ancestors.
The speaker then asked a series of
questions such as appeal to all thought
full persons. Are we as a race, he In
quired. growing rich toward God? Is
not the very reverse true? Are not
faith and goodness on the decline? Is
it not true that within the last fifty
years the love of money, which the
Apostle declares is "a root of all evil,'
has intensified? Is 1t not true that
financial greed has become so strong
as to make necessary Pure-food Laws
for the protection Of the lives Of the
people-because life and health were
in jeopardy?
Attention was then called to the
fact that. although we are better
housed. better fed and better clothed
than were our forefathers, yet there is
general condition of unrest, due to
trust In riches. Despite all our mod
ern safeguards of police and detective
systems, despite our telegraph. tele-
phone, ETC., human lives and prop
erty are still in peril because of the
hunger for wealth everywhere prev
alent
"Whose Shall These Things Be?"
The Pastor next discussed the para
BILE from which his text is taken. In
it our Lord pictures a man whose
lines were fallen in pleasant places.
The smiling sun and the genial show
ers prospered his undertakings. and his
wealth grew apace. To him came OPP
portunities for helping friends. neigh
bors and relatives less favored-oppor
tunities for turning his material wealth
to good account in the cultivation of
the generous traits of his nature and
thus for developing more and more the
Divine character; for God scatters His
blessings OF sunshine and shower upon
both the evil and the good.
But instead Of growing richer In
character through the cultivation of
noble qualities. this rich man permit
ted selfishness to dominate him. He
pulled down his barns in order TO build
greater ones. Instead of dispensing
the wealth which Divine providence
permitted to flow into his lap. he ac-
cumulated more Many. alas! today
are following his example. These say
to themselves. II win accumulate
wealth. and then will say to my soul,
You have plenty: eat, drink and be
merry Think not particularly of your
less favored brethren and neighbors.
nor of the hopelessly poor; live for your
SELF" Thus in the parable the Master
has drawn a picture of practically ev-
cry man in the world. some of whom
are really doing these things, and 9TH