Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-16
cross-eyed and losing power to know
good from evil.

The church Is sick and needs a remedy
Many preachers are like some physicians
strong on diagnosis but weak on
therapeutics. Jesus dealt with fundamen-
tails. The quletest talk of His had a
torpedo effect. On the lips Of Jesus the
most innocent metaphor seemed to throw
out forked lightning. Some sermons, in
stead of being bugle call for service,
are noting but showers of spiritual CO.
caine. That's the reason we We got SO
many dead ones in the pews. The sermon
should strike n chill into the spineess
jellyfsh, half-hearted fellow who sits In
the pew. Compromise never pays. The
crowd or the cause with which you COM
you--then the 'scrap-pile for yours. The
hinges of Chrlst's knees were never oiled
by the Oil of Compromise.
Some ministers would get along better
IL they'd use more pictures in their SER
mons--if they would demonstrate more.
Some people say use too many / know
don't use enough. That's how much
attention l give to my critics.
THE church seems to have lost its pas
sion for Vital religion, and is lolling in
her well-fod content, satisfied with mag
pipe organs, vestments, rich influential
congregations, and spiritual death awaits
the church unless she hurls herself from
her couch of ease, and chooses the will
derness in place of the fleshpots of
Egypt. in all ages of the worlds history
God has been In hurry to bless, but man
doesn't seem to be In any haste. Some
know God only by hearsay.
What about the fir tree? How can we
understand the figure unless we know
the tree? Is 1t good or is 1t bad7 IL
good, what Is It good for?
Let me tell you q few things about the
fir, and then let us see why God uses
the fir tree In this connection.
THE fir tree is very valuable tree for
timber. 1t Is beautiful hardwood fine
grain, and will stand very high polish.
Because of it's exceeding value II takes
no stretch Of the Imagination to see that
1t means Christian character Is the best
thing on earth, or heaven. No matter
what you have been, give your heart to
God and He will give you character and
work such change in your life that
you will become channel of blessing
Instead of making wife and children cry
chcy will rejoice.
USES OF THE FIR TREE.
''The wood of the fir was used for the
ceiling in Solomon's temple. It was GOV.
cred with beautiful carvings of earthly
and heavenly pictures, cherubim, palm
trees, pomegranates: these overlaid and
lnlald with pure gold. The door of the
temple was made of fir ornamented in n
similar way. Again 1t Is not hard to see
what God has to say in the text. The
character of good man Is always built
Into the House of God Every man who
Is n true Christian Is a shield and pro-
tector of all that is good; because he
stands true others find 1t easier to do
right; because he does right others find
It harder to do wrong. Every Christian
is door to the House of God. Through
his life others will come into the Church.
His influence Is bound to draw others
after him. 1t did when his life was
wrong, and 1t certainly will when his life
is right.
Fir was used to make musical instru-
ments. The harp, the flute and cornet,
used in worshiping God, were made of
fir. Read the chapter where 1t tells how
David danced before the Ark of God.
Read the long list-you'll see they We're
all made of fir. This seems to be Gods
way of telling us that religion is music
maker. II your religion doesn't make
some heart sing, it's the wrong kind. 1t
doesn't make any difference II you don't
know a note from n horsefly, 1t will
awaken harmonies in heaven. Sin makes
us cry. religion is a music-maker. Sin
deadens-rellgion cheers.
Fir was used TO make flooring for decks
of ships, put under the feet OF people to
walk upon; 10 was not only put where 1t
could be seen and admired, but in humble
places where the storm could smite 1t
and the sun scorch II.
a'RalipiOn 10 n nDlV the most hpnUtifnl
and helpful thing In the world, but when
one is truly saved they don't spend their
time asking God to put them in the lime
light. When We are truly the Lords we
will be as ready to sing Where He
Leads as When the Roll Is Called The
stone that lies the lowest in the founda-
tion has bigger job than the Flagstaff at
the summit.
CHARACTER FRAGRANT,
Look at the myrtle tree 1t was an
evergreen tree. Neither weather nor sea-
son affected its looks. would believe the
were here II people looked
happy in prayer-meeting and in society
There was nothing to make one think of
grounding until he saw the myrtle tree.
The real Christian never backslldes be-
cause of SHOWS or the moon changes.
''The myrtle had a very sweet scent,
it's own. Could tell In the dark
when near 1t. There is a fragrance about
real Christian character, something that's
not killed by suffering or misfortune.
Some of the most Christlike people have
ever known have been great sufferers.
"It was covered with blossoms, snow
white, star-shaped, symbolizlng purity of
the Christian. You can recognize them by
their conduct. speech and spirit. 1t would
keep the most persevering hypocrite busy
the whole of his life counterfeiting real
True Christianity can no more
be doubted than the sunshine.
'lt is a fruit-bearing tree. know
church members who make a great show
at fruit bearing, but they are nothing
more than Christmas trees. putting on
this accomplishment. tying on this vir-
tue, constantly trying to add something
that will sparkle and glitter to win ap-
plause. The glory of Christmas tree IS
over In day and II is thrown into the
ally The only crop 1t yields is that which
has been tied on 1t. David said, BE like
4 tree that is planted by the rivers of
waters There are so many content to
be shade trees. Anything to be ornamen-
tai, caring little about being OF real use
and service in this old world. Such people
are never prepared when the storms OF
reVerses come TO them. They are not like
the tree that's planted by the rivers OF
water. They are all on the surface.
propped up, get their opinions ready
made, strong in head and tongue. but