Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-01-17

sacrificing q religious principle in
order to be nelghborly. Many people
err in this matter TO both extremes.
Some there are who yield too much
TO the pressure OF custom and allow
the plea that they are doing as the
Romans do to stlfle the reproaches
of conscience. Others set up a moral
and religious code of their own max
ing and hold themselves aloCf from
all people and things than do not
toe the mark. Others still are 80
constituted by nature that they are
happiest when antagonizlng some
body or something, and make them
selves believe that they are the more
sanity the more they differ from
other folks. None of these are fol-
lowing Gods word, though they may
deceive themselves into thinking they
are. We can rsspect the mistaken
zealot who tabooes many pleasant
and harmless things because they do
not measure up to his self-made
standard Of piety-there were good
Christians in Pauls time who re-
fused TO eat meat offered to idols
but we can never take such q man to
our hearts as sympathetic friend
and adviser. Too often we can see
where they strain at gnat and
swallow q camel. The habitually
antagonistlc man is he who is most
often at the bottom Of our congrega-
tional quarrels and sectarian con
flicts because he thinks he is negli-
gent in the service of God If he can't
find something to object to. But the
man who yields his principles for the
sake of convenience or harmony is
worse than ala coward and trail
tor to himself, his family and his
God. Seek first the thus saith the
LORD" and when armed with this au-
thority, let no fear of human power
deter YOU from tearing down the al
tars Of Baal wherever you find them.
Penitence and Deliverance.
The people Of Israel had tasted OF
Gods goodness and mercy. They had
been signally the beneficiaries of his
miraculous favor and guidance. They
knew that obedience meant prosper
ity and happiness, and that dsobedl-
ence meant sorrow and disaster. No
where in history were these associa-
tions of ideas so strongly impressed
as in the career of the children of
Abraham. They were trained In the
school OF Gods direct Intervention,
both for their own development and
as an example to the nations of the
earth In all ages. Gods ways are
sure at all times, but with Israel
alone did he deal dlrectly-the rest of
us have tho history of their Joys and
sorrows as a lesson and a warning.
When their cup Of bitterness became
too well filled the remembered to
God Of Jacob and cried for help, and
their prayer was always answered.
We are inclined TO be unjust in our
estimate of this people, when we re-
gard their frequent lapses into idol
airy, and wonder why they could
have 80 foolishly slnned In the light
Of their certain knowledge of the
results Of right and wrong living.
Yet we, with their example before
us and the added advantages of re-
velation and scientific research. do
not behave any better 1t Is still
easier for us TO wander away from
God than It is to walk consistently
In the paths Of obedience Even the
irresponsible child learns wickedness
more readily than IT does righteous
! ness. Yet in the soul Of the man who
has once tasted of Gods grace there
Is the memory OF a loving, forgiving
Father 10 whom, when bruised and
bleeding from contamination with the
evils Of this earth-life. he can turn
in humility for forgiveness and res
cue. Sometimes. though he has TO
suffer severely before he decides to
"arlse and go 10 my father Yet for
the penitent appeal Of his wayward
children God il always listening and
Ia ever ready TO deliver. And IL we
can be a Gideon, ready and daring
to obey, remember the Psalmlst says:
blessed is the man whom thou
chOosast"