The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1916-11-14
TAKE CARE OF HIM"

The following sermon was preached
by DR.. J. NJ. Gross at the Methodist
church Sunday morning. The story
of the good Samaritan formed the
basis for the theme.
It is about twenty-one miles from
Jerusalem to Jericho. The road is
through wild, rugged, rocky coun-
try. From time immemorial the
country has been infested with rob
bers, thieves and murderers. So many
robberies and murders have been
committed on this road as to bring
upon it the name, "The Way Of
Blood
This man who was robbed and beat
en- and left half dead was, very prob
ably, a Jew peddler, for in those days
many were engaged in that business.
The priest and the Levite were both
official members of the church. Very
likely they were returning to their
homes in Jericho from Jerusalem,
where they had been attending to
their official duties in the temple.
When they came to where the man
was, who had been robbed and beaten
and left half dead, the priest passed
by on the other side. The Levite
came and looked upon the poor man
and passed on.
Possibly the priest and the Levite
tried to quiet their conscience by say
ing, we have performed our official
duties in the Temple. Our religious
obligations extend no farther than our
official duties. Even these might
have been performed mechanically
without true love or the spirit of true
worship. Mere Journalism or official
ceremonialism is dead and useless I'M
less prompted by the spirit of love and
true worship.
The Samaritan, who was of diff
ferent nationality and despised by
the Jews, came along. Seeing the sad
plight of the poor man, he did moi
stop to ask of what nationality he
was but proceeded at once to mani
fest the spirit of brotherhood and
genuine philanthropy. True philan-
thropy always finds place to express
itself. This Samaritan seems tc
have been poor man for he only
gave small amount, but told the
inn keeper to take care of the mar
ard, If more money were needed, he
would pay it. We see the spirit Of
sacrifice manifested by the Samari.
tan. Possibly he gave all that he
had It is the spirit in which the of.
fering is made that sanctifies the of.
fering and makes it blessing to the
one making the offering.
Some Practical Lessons for AL
People
First, true Christianity and the
church stand for the salvation of the
whole man. "Take care of him." Take
care of the body. It is said that, II
Il per cent of the children in school to.
day have defective bodies. Just a.
the man who had fallen among thieves
and was beaten needed bodily care 81
we ned to look after the bodies of the
children. What glorious opportunity
the church has to do missionary worI
for the bodies of people. Settlement
and slum work in providing better
homes, better food and better cloth
| ing for the needy. What a great op.
portunity for the Woman's Mission
airy Society. Take care of the mind
too. How are parents caring for the
minds of their children? What de
they read? What do they see? Where
do they go? The proper training Of
children can not with safety be com
mitted altogether to the public school
Neither can parents shirk RESPONSE
bility by saying, my children go t.
Sunday school. Good and great a:
this work is it can not take the place
of home training. Again, take care
of the soul. This is the weak place
in the home and in the church, and ii
society. Many have a right to SAY
today, mo man careth for my SOUL
The salvation of the soul is the ulti.
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