Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1915-08-10

the peaceful field
stretching away in emerald beaut
and the broad acres of waving grain
see \the hills and wales clothed wit
their myriad rows of thrifty orchar
trees; scan the mountains slumberin
in mystic blue in the distance, cla
with mighty forests; and contemplat
the majestic ocean beating ceaseless
ly on the rock bound coast Who /
not moved by the inspiration an
power in such panorama of nature
smiling features. How beautiful is tn,
world today! In all these element
of life and beauty we perceive tn
presence and power of the Creator
But there is something more nobl,
and beautiful in the world than this
1t is found in the cooperation of mar
with God in activities worthy of botf
God and man.
We are assembled this morning In
the house of worship. These native
elements, wood and iron, sand and
lime and silica, which compose this
structure, stand as representatives OF
the presence and power of God. But
these hewn timbers and nodded iron,
this glass glazed of sand and silica,
the burned bricks and tempered NOR
tar, this architectural formal these
stand as representatives of the pres
ence and power of man. And in this
homely illustration we learn that the
noblest beauty in this world of beau
ty. and the grandest excellence in this
excellent world are not found where
God works alone, or where man works
alone, but are found where man and
God work together in consummating
the divine plan in human life; for
this house of worship which repre-
sents the presence and power of both
God and man has been erected to pro-
mote the grand work of character
building among us-and the human
character in its perfection and like
ness of the divine image is far nobler
and more beautiful than the towering
mountains or the ruddy and golden
sunset.
This era is called a commercial age,
an age Of invention, scientific age
and all this is splendid. But we
should each so work together with
God in developing our moral and re-
ligious natures, that it may be called
a character age, for character in the
final test will prove more important
than science or invention or COM
merce. Commerce building, invention
but character building in cooperation
with our heavenly Father is the work
most sublime. The sinful heart that
repents and is born anew; the cold
heart that becomes warm and SYM
pathetic; the selfish heart that be-
comes charitable; and the cynical
heart that melts and loves-this is
the works34ost sublime But it is the
divine plalss.. ,Shich can be consummat-
ed only wGlR,o Snan co-operates with
the heavenly rather.
Character building according to the
divine plan and specifications is first
an individual work. 1t then through |
individuals becomes national in Its
spread, and then it becomes world
wide. And so, what you believe, and |
think, and do, is of vast importance
to the community, and to the state.
and to the world. Are you engaged |
in that work most sublime? And |
how shall you cooperate with God
in realizing His plan for mankind, un-
less, first, you lose your enmity and
unsympathetic feeling toward Him
through the divine forgiveness and
renewal of the heart? Forgiveness is
your first great need. There is no
cooperation with the Father without
science building, world
building are works indeed sublime
it, Honesty, temperance, baptism,
penance, ritualism will not take its
place. Forgiven and renewed by the
grace of God, then you make Gods
plan your plan, and enlist with Him
in uplifting mankind. Is it not worth
while? Go forth. now, with a clean
heart and a willing spirit. a new
creature in Christ, and win others to
the fellowship with Christ This is the
work most sublime.
You have heard much, in these try ,
ing times, about unity. Ambitious men
have risen from time to time who
dreamed of unity. Ambitious Caesars ,
and AleXanders and Napoleons and Z
possibly Wilhelms, have dreamed of q
world conquest, and unity of nations {
'uled by a single scepter. Ambitious :
of industry have dreamed of q
he Capitalization of wealth and pow I
er in commerce and industry and n
Ambitions clergymen /
rave also dreamed of a unity of all {
peoples and creeds under the domin- Q
on of single hierarchy-one church a
n which all subscribe to the same q
orm of organization, the same rit-
lalism, as well as the same faith. But ri
While there is unity in the kingdom n
# nature there Is also diversity In n
he classification of animal life there 6
re eight great branches, but in each n
ranch there is a unity of structural I.
haracter. At the same time the q
light branches differ from each other :,
n structural characters. like the ver-
ebrates from the invertebrates. So
While there is unity in the kingdom
+ nature there is also diversity. -.
Among the nations of mankind uni II
= of organization in political life, s.
nd the foundation of one grand state i,
not possible nor desirable, owing m
} racial differences. Every race has el
right to its place in the system of in
uman existence, and should not be ia
but should be assisted by O
he more favored to work out its ca nj
eer and destiny among the races of et
Iankind. The great races of men fe
lus advanced to the highest planes &c
enlightenment. and living side by q
de in sympathy and brotherhood is b,
le ideal condition of mankind all m
lould devoutly crave. Its realiza- III
se