Evening journal., 1919-03-21
WEEKLY TOPIC
and
SOCIETY ITEMS
ef fbe,
CITY AND STATE UNIONS

Topic. THE Art OF Building Charao-
ter" ist Corinthians. 3rd Chapter, 10th
to 18th verses. BY Miss Grace Baird
There are many ways to build a
home. One way Is to plan for Il Far
in advance To spend evenings over
the biggest table, looking at plans, and
builders -oatalogues, and reading arti-
clcs on ventilation. Illustration. heat
ing. landscape gardening and so forth ;
other exciting days with the architect
contractor and interior decorator, I'M
til the last most thrilling day comes
when everything is ready TO begin
work the FIRST spadeful Of dirt is up
turned. and the foundation is laid An,
there IS the secret OF the whole struc-
ture-the foundatlnni A building is no
stronger than It's foundation. Upon its
foundation rests the future Of what is
placed upon It,
Paul. in this letter OF his 10 the
Coriuthian people, tells them that he
labored hard when he was among them
20 lay for them the foundation He
told them that according 10 the grace
which God had given him, Bs a wise
masterbuilder, he had laid the fOunda-
tion, and he added, the only true foun-
dation is Jesus Christ. he also told
them that the kind OF a building each
man erected on that foundation de-
pended entirely upon himself. Wheth-
er the building be OF sold or silver or
costly stones. OF timber or hay or
straw-vthe true character of each indl-
viduals work viii become manifest.
We find il the same today as in Pauls
time. The life that rings true under all
conditions. the life that is beautiful and
sweet and pure and strong Is the one
that has Jesus Christ as its foundation.
What a period for character build
ing have we had during the past four
years What a time OF opportunity
What a time Of temptation for the sail
or, the soldieri In the stress and
strain Of the strenuous life be was llv-
ing. what caused him 10 stand the
test, even under the cmnont Gre?
Jesus Christ, the only true founda-
uon.
We should endeavor 90 make our
lives count for the very best FOR
Chrlst's sake, for our own-sake. apd
for the sake Of others.
iers act on the lives OF others. II we
did we would moi dare live so care
lessly. Someone writes:
i would be true. for there are those
who trust me.
/ would be pure. for there are those
who care"
We often have vision OF Christ him
self in the beautiful lives OF those we
know We all know someone who in
fluences us for good. who makes us
feel a desire 10 live better. He does
not exhort us in words. or chide us
with criticisms, but when IN his pres
ence there is that which calls us 10 a
truer. more beautiful life.
There are persons in whose presence
rude men grow gentle, and profane
men would not dare utter an oath.
Every beautiful life-Whose founda-
ton is Jesus Christ-staris In the
hearts Ct others. a heavenly vision
which is followed. uncOnsciOusly per-
haps. by those who sc it.
Christian people often show a ten
dency 10 turn away from wicked men
as il nothing could be done for them.
There is q story Of a thoughtful man
pacing the docks at Liverpool and as
he did so. he beheld great quantities
OF dirty waste material lying in un- !
regarded heaps He looked at the un- /
promising piles and in his thoughts saw |
finished fabrics, and warm and well |
come garments made from them. Ere /
long the vision had come true and the /
outcast stuff began to be wrought into /
beautiful garments.
In looking upon an outoast life let |
Us not think Of what IL really is but |
what II may become. A child Of God |
clad IN the divine beauty OF His most |
holy robe Of righteousness A oharac- !
Ter built anew with Jesus Christ as its
foundation.