The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1918-12-06
Sermon by Rev. Gregory
"Our Attitude Toward Our Time

tnat are without redeemlng Che
time. ."-Colossians 4: 5.
The author of the text was Ro-
man citizen OF a distinguished city;
his broadness of mind was due to
his early surroundings and training.
He took a reasonable view of his
age, a wholesome attitude toward
it and a just estimate of its needs
and values. He himself tells US
that he adapted himself to his hear
ers; his hearing was friendly and
not antagonistic.
He was gracious, considerate, sem
sible, clear in his view of the evils
of the day, but also wise in his
perceptions of all excellencies and
merits.
There are people whose views are
very earnest but very narrow, who
look upon the world as a doomed
ship, fast going to wreck and ruin;
the worlds varied activities are not
only worthless, but dangerous, in
the eyes of those people, and there
are multitudes to whom the charac-
teristics of the present age are all
alarming. They think with regret
of the good old days, the old safe
habits and methods; as though brain
development and Christianity were
sworn foes. There are those who
appreciate the practical value of
trained mind, yet treat education
timidly. Modern literature, vast
and varied is a tempting field in
deed. The flowers are few, but the
poisonous weeds are many. 1t
woud be false to truth to indis-
criminateIy commend our age; un-
logy should be moderate, in our
restless movements-politic Soc
ial and industrial-here is sad lot
of bad work; corruption, deceit and
selfishness are oft times met where
least expected. Yet there is much
that is noble in modern literature,
the simple, pure, true, things in
life are. shown the moral beauties
and forces of the soul are treated
reverently; the pressure and power
of duty are portrayed. Take our
modern religious writings, printed
by the thousands of copies, what
volume, reach, passion, they have
Was Christ ever so prominent? Ever
so studied, ever SO loved? In the
home by suffering mothers in
camps by those to whom thoughts OF
home and childhood come, on the
high seas when there was no assur.
ance of safety, on the battlefield
when death was stalking on every
!, side, in the hospitals when life wa.
measured by hours instead of year,
: with no eye to pity, no hand tt
: caress; then it was that men turn
ed to their mothers God by faith
: and found him near.
There is a new breath and a new
! life in these modern times. Is i
, hard to believe that God is active il
/ the thinking of those who love him.
, Is God present in the world of ma
tural force, and absent from th'
: world OF human life? Get in toucI
with the best things in your read
ing, get to feel the thrill and throl
, of the surging Christ life in tn
t thought today. What about ou
! activities of today?
S There are many articles writer
, on the higher life of our great cit
e les, civic clubs, municipal leagues
e social settlements, forward move
y ments, are the evidence of ne,
: interest and new purpose in right
: eousness, for our cities which ar
e the centers of our life, and of tn
storms of our civilization. Man
humanity to man has grown deepe
!. and broader during the years Q
=; the past crisis. Many tests Q
!. true loyalty to principle. devotio
to companions, pity, justice, bene,
: olence, intolerance of shame,
J. greater sincerity amoEg men
!; these we welcome. The apostle ha
!. not outlined a selfish policy, thi
:, world is full of treasures bU
!, Christian souls are not doing thei
s. work for the purpose of gettin
/; choice bits of personal benefit bu
|; to get chances to serve. This ag
IS is notably rich, not only because c
!, its material wealth, its knowledge
:; its amazing inventions, its indus
/. trial triumphs, but because it is S
:, inspiringly stocked with opportur
!; tiles to serve. This is the geners
|. meaning of the text in relation
r your fellows, take to the full you
!, privilege tolserve. The Master say