The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1917-09-06


when the thoughts of all are especially
directed to mans immortality, and when
the humblest man is reminded of his
divine potentialities-re reminded that he
, is son Of the Ruler of the Universe
and made but little lower than the
angels, if he but put himself in right
relations with the Divine Father.
believe that the richer rural civiliz-
alton we are seeking to develop in the
South must have religious basis; that
such civilization must be based on
character, and that religious training is
essential to the proper development of
character. have always been impress
ed by what Mrs. Hadleigh says in War
rington Dawson's '"The Scar:
have seen many Christians break
away from their church in after life,
and having had the benefit of that early
training, remain fine men and women.
But | have never seen child reared
without knowledge of a God whose
character was not defective.
And ought to add that believe not
only that the richer rural civilizatio we
arc seeking to develop must be based
on character, but that it must be hal
lowed, illumined, and ennohled by a con-
scious purpose to fulfill Gods purpose in
bringing His Kingdom to earth
1t is well, therefore, ! repeat, that
we have just had a season in which
chosen ministers have reminded our
people afresh of the first and greatest
commandment given to mankind, Thou
shalt love the Lord thy God with all
thy heart, and with all thy soul, and
with all thy mind;" that man, imper-
feet and mortal, shall have as the Mas
ter Passion of his life consuming love
for Father Perfect and immortal, and
so be lifted toward him and grow into
His likeness This is the first great re
quirement ennobling man: to put the
beast within him under foot and unfet-
ter the divine nature implanted within
all of u.s.
This, repeat, is the first great re-
quirement, the first great commandment
but it IS not the only one. After men
tioning it as the first great command
ment, the Master went on to say, ''And
the second is like unto it: Thou shalt
love thy neighbor as thyself. On these
two commandments" Ton these two
commandments, notice, and not on eth
>er one singly) hang all the law and
the prophets
1t is this great second commandment,
love for ones neighbors, love for all
mankind, that wish now especially to
emphasize, and to urge our preachers
and religious leaders to emphasize. We
have too many church members profess
ing religion of love who do not speak
to some neighbor; who instead of for
giving some ancient injury lie awake
nights planning to get even; who in
stead Of putting charitable constrtc-
ton upon the words and deeds of neigh
>bors, live in perpetual state of suspi-
.cion and distrust; or who belong to
some set" or faction in thecommunity
which cherishes nothing but hate or
bitterness for some other faction.
Especially, it seems. to me, are such
conditions likely to prevail in country
communities. 1t is not that country
people are worse at heart than city
people, but simply because the farmer,
living to himself, does not minglc with
his fellows as much as the city man, and
it is always easy to mistrust the man
you don't know. 1t was q wise saying
of great man, "Know one another
and you will love one another" | re-
marked the other day that in proportion
to property interests involved, believe
there are ten times az many lawsuits
among farmers than among city busi-
ness men.
No matter what our object may be-
no matter whether it is to develop in
dividuals of noble,- generous character;
or bring about better business cooper.
alton among rural people; or bring
about more satisfying social and com
munity )ife-in any case there ia moth.
ing more imortant for us than to get
our people to put life's emphasis on love
rather than hate. on trust rather than
on suspicion.
There ought to be more sermons
preached from the text which says a
man cannot love God and hate his bro
ther; from Christ's saying, "He who
loveth God loveth his brother also;"