The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1920-11-04
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.
Especially Prepared for The Republic
can by DIR. u. 8. Wright.

Seek We HrSt HIS Kingdom, anu his
righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you. Matt. 6:33
Shadow or Substance.
The Master first in this great ser
mon gave the requirements for cltl-
zenship, and the life of the country
followed naturally. Visitors from
abroad are continually reporting to
their own people their impressions of
America Some are complimentary,
some startling and all are illuminating
either of ourselves or of the visitor.
But they are interpretations of the
conduct of our citizens and it is up
the conduct of the Kingdom members
that the estimate of its worth is basel
Giving, praying, fasting, are held UNI
der the light and both the substance
and the shadow shown. The news
paper report has had wide circulation
of "the most eloquent prayer ever Of
fered to a Boston audience" with the
comment that cit probably went no
farther than the audience!" Jesus
held the same opinion concerning these
acts that had in them only the desire
for the approval of the public. He
was no denier of the reward accompa-
nying each, for He knew full well the
truth of such return in His daily eX-
perience. His contention was that
the marty affected should be the payer
and there should not be the double
collection upon the same act. If the
public has paid, Gods account should
be clear. The man | work for pays
the bill. There is mighty emphasis
upon the practice of all these acts.
"Let not your left hand know what
thy right hand doeth" seems an alb
surdity. Does your left foot know
when your right foot steps? Not I'M
less you are giving special thong ut to
that particular movement, for habit
has so taken up the entire process that
it has become automatic. This ought
to be the case with your giving; so
much habit of ones life that it is as
automatic as walking or breathing,
and passes without notice being taken
of the act. In this fashion one is in
full accord with the spirit of God
who certainly does good without be-
ing aware of it. To imagine Father
God counting His kindnesses would be
a joke, and would make Him one-why
shouldn't it be the same with his chill
dren? And the example of Jesus in
AuhC IL COIlil IL, SOS's SSbIlSo Liz
approval of social prayer as group
but the drive here is toward the build
ing of that shared life upon the pri-
vate experience. He who knows the
intimacy of the holy fellowship has
little difficulty with its outer express
sion. He whose secret devotion is full
and rich needs little warning about
ostentation in public. The form given
would seem to be guide for all-in-
clusiveness in the closet rather than
for form for public worship as we
use it. Certainly it is distinctly the
disciples prayer. But its reach is
toward ones fellows for the forgiving
spirit is twice stressed. Fasting holds
the same double relationship and the
spirit is paramount. To be sure there
are times when giving, praying and
fasting may be the badge of royalty;
then let the band play, banners wave
and feet keep time jubilantly.
Banks and Bosses.
No poor man can enter heaven. Only
the rich will feel at home where gold
is used for paving; walls are of gems
and doors of pearl. Only those with
a bank account can keep pace with
such luxury. But the biggest bank in
the universe is Heavens Trust Com
pany with branches on every church
corner and deposits bear interest COM
pounded at rates that would bankrupt
any other institution than Gods. "Do
business thru Heavens bank" was the
advice of Jesus. To every depositor
He assures the issuance of anti-worry
certificates good for the needs of the
body and points to the birds and flow
ers as evidence of the working of such
a provision. 1t is not barnyard Bid
dy nor conservatory Chrysanthe-
mum to which He pointed, but to the
hustling birds and lilies of the open
fields that must work with a working
God in order that they may be fed.
Life lies at the foundation of the
clothing, for it is from this that sun
shine, shower and soil are transmitted
into the green garments of the grass
and the loneliness of the lily. In
heavens vocabulary trust is a stimu-
liant to activity and not sedative to
labor. Dividends from its Trust Com
pany are given only to it's active
shareholders who are pushing the
Company's business and must in con-
sequence have their expenses met
"Put the Kingdom first" Serve God,
not Mammon," are cast-iron clauses in
the contract. In the striking phrase
of Robert E. Speer, "You cannot serve
God and Mammon, but you can serve
God with Mammon." Certainly to
serve other than God relieves Him of
all responsibility for providing for the
life. Look to your Boss for the pay
ing of your bill.
Hammer Healing.
What delicate instruments one finds
in the office of an occulist Nothing
that can in any way mangle the SEN
sitive sight organ is permitted to be
used. Think of having hammer for
any such purpose But that is just
the instrument many carry solely for
the benefit of others hurts. From
morning until night there is the sound
of knocking, and each blow brings
bruises to some other soul. But look
out when they get touch of their
own method, for one hear cries of
"cruel," mean" 'mind his own bust
ness" "better boiler at home" and a
dozen more. 1t was the self-appointed
critic of every other man that was pill
lorid by Jesus. 1t was the man whose
shiny pate cast light upon the hair
tonic he was recommending. 1t was
the man who felt himself to be fault