The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1920-10-14
MOTIVE EVERYTHING.

May l speak of the motive of ava
rice?
That was what decided Ananias and
his wife in their effort to cheat the
church, insult God and at the same
time appear well in the community
Judas, too, fell to the same tempta-
ton when he betrayed his Master for
thirty pieces of silver. 1t led Gehazi
to practice fraud, but it brought upon
him the leprosy of Naaman.
The worldly motive influences many
as is Illustrated by Peter rebuking
Christ, but he was rebuked by the
. Lords answer: Get thee behind me
satan"
Paul gives us the evidences of it in
Rom. 8:5, when he says, "They that
are after the flesh do mind the things
of the flesh; but they that are after
the spirit, the things of the spirit
This spirit is sure to entangle us in
wrong relations. mo man that war
reth entangleth himself with the af,
fairs of this life; that he may plesae
him who hath chosen him to be a sol
der" 1t neutralizeth faith. Jno. ~:
AZ, among the chief rulers also many
believed on Him, but because of the
lioliSSCS lIlCy dll IlOG COHlcSS him
less they should be put out of the syn
agogue. For they loved the praise OF
men more than the praise of God ,
1t hinders US leading US to make ex-
cuses that are trivial, foolish and
wicked. Witness the parable of the
great supper, where, in answer to the
invitation to come, one said he had
bought piece of ground and SO could
not come; another had bought oxen
and must need try them. A Wise man
tries them before he purchases. An.
other had married a wife. The fact is
the wives as rule are more willing to
do their duty than men when it comes
to religion
The motive of ambition is another
and Absalom fell to this when he
would have taken the kingdom from
his father. Bonaparte is a striking il.
lustration of this. He could scarcely
plead sincerity. 1t led him into ex,
tremes of cruelty and an utter disre.
gard for the rights and feelings OF
others.
The mercenary motive is quite CON-
mon. 1t led Jacob to cheat Easau out
of his rightful blessing.
A father and son lived in new set.
Element. The older man invited min.
listers to visit the neighborhood and
entertained them. He opened his
doors for religious meetings. The sor
advised against tit would break him
up. The father took no notice of the
objections. but was prospered in his
course. The son seeing that, conclud.
ed he would try it-he would get rich
by it. Some give with that purpose
IN view. Right giving is rewarded. II
is done in love.
An Arab of the desert found q
spring of sweet water. He thought il
was worthy of monarch, so he filled
his leathern bottle and travelled lone
distance to the caliph where he LAID
his humble offering at the feet of the
sovereign. The caliph did not despise
the little gift brought with so much
trouble. He ordered some poured int
cup, he tasted and thanking the
Arab with smile, directed a reward
to be presented to him. Courtiers
Hooked around to taste the wonderful
water. He forbade them to touch .
drop. After the Arab had gone the
caliPh explained his motives. Durine
the journey of the Arab the water in
the bottle had become impure and dis
tasteful, but it was an offering of love
and as such, said the caliph, 81 receiv.
ed it wit hpleasure, but | knew. that
had l suffered another to partake of il