The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-11-09

or the worlds great teacher cath
Ole. universal cosmopolitan and etsr-
nal truth. The word duty was once
spelled d-e-u-t-y. having the thought
OF an obligation maturing, a mortgage
nearing foreclosure. This is the
rough and thorny first mile OF right
doing. Thrice blessed is the one
who does his duty through love and
not fear.
What is true everywhere else, is
true in religion. There is the first
ana second mile of religion, and how
pitiful il is. that many never get
out of the first mile, never do any
more than they are compelled TO do
to keep out of he'll. We must not
condemn them. for the first mile is
very necessary. | remember while
in college, hearing a great preacher
Many from my class Were baptized.
l pondered like this: Il suppose
ought to join the church, Tor il
don't | will go to hell, and | don't
want to go to hell. But it does seem
that between going to hell and going
to church, there isn't much choice.
suppose | ought to do that. or |
will never go to heaven" Now, that
argument was perfectly sound What
ever your faith or lack OF faith may
be, without Christ, you will go TO
something called hell, annihilation
of the soul, deathless conscience,
banishment from the light; and it is
also true. that no man has any knowl-
edge or hope of heaven without Christ.
The way Of the cross leads home. -
But oh, how little that first mile
truth is, Any man who is in the
church TO keep out Of hell is an old
coward. Any man who is in the
church to get to heaven is an old
miser trying to drive a hard bargain
with God. we love him because
he first loved US. Love constrained
us" The first mile Christian has a
hard, hard job,
We have found the difference be-
tween the Old Testament and the
New Testament. The Old Testament
is first mile book--a very good
and a very true book; but first
mile book, filled with commands
Thou shalt not" The New Testa-
ment is u second mile book, and
has but few commands. We are no
longer servants but children. This
is the difference between the Sab
bath and the Lords Day. The Sew
enth day was divinely set apart, II
had a purpose. The rules for It's
observance Were very rigid. Tht
Lords Day, pointing to the riser
Redeemer, Is second mile institution
and has few regulations. Il was
in the spirit on the Lords day!
This is the difference between tbs
Pharsee and Christ. The Pharise'
broadened his phylacteries. prayed
long and loud, bowed 50 often as h,
prayed, counted nine pieces OF none!
for himself and one for the Lord
These things Were all very good, bu
they We're only the first mile. "Thest
Things ye ought 10 have done, bu
not to have left the other undone.
Fhey have forgotten the second mile
Ii is very easy Tor US 10 do the same
Every doctrine and duty of III,
Christian life today has its first anC
second mile. You think: II suppose
ought 10 60 to church today. Tn,
pastor is good man and | ough
IN cta 4 ggk, \ 4.
stay at home and read Mutt an;
jeff" The years go by, and carr!
afar all you have and all you love
Earth's joys grow dim. its pleasures
pass away. Fast fall the eventide
and your delight is in the house o
the Lord where the story is told o
the land that is fairer than day
where time never grows old and al
partings are past. And bible study
You sign the Endeavor pledge L
read the bible every day. You re
member 1t after you are In bed
"Botheration on that promise. VIII
| have 10 get up in the cold? VIII!
won't II do just ~ remember verse
Blessed ars ye whom men shall
what = big man Charlie is; whei
Charlie comes III ask Mile TO b.
bridesmald-the piano will Just Fl
in that aclove.' In time 10 COM
Charlie goes out on that long jour
ney from which no traveller ever re
turns. the SHOWS Of many winters. III
SHOWS that never melt, will fan oI
~ urls o. 90
close over your eyes, shutting on
the glory OF every morning and IN,
smile OF every face. Then you ge
bible with raised letters. and In III,
old arm chair slowly spell the stor!
of the city that needs no light o
the sun and the house Of many man
sions. Blessed is the one who enter!
early ON the second mile Of bibl,
study
The second mile OF giving! How few
find 1t! held meeting in Iowa
A man going home from church wal
mumbling and growing and mutter
ing His wife said, sam. what ar,
YOU grouchng about? cannot un
dcrstand word you say" I'm tel
you what's the matter | had
penny in my vest pocket for the col
lection. forgot about u So gol,
piece and put that In by mistake.
Well. go TO the treasurer and tel
him and he will give It back" ID
you suppose | would let him know
was cheap enough to put In u pei
N.Y." "Well then. It's for goo
cause. why can't you be glad you pu
/, iny' III had intended TO put II
81 IL would have been all right, an,
-he Lord would have credited me vi
with 1t. but | only intended to put II
penny and the Lord credited M
with penny and | am cut jus
slsg" 1t was wearying task L
try TO get money from first mil
people.