The Nevada County picayune., 1921-12-15
OUR WEEKLY SERMON
The ShaII0wness and FicIilcncss of
 Popular Opinion.
fHx Rev. J. \. Sagel

Text: And the Lord said, where unto shall I likcn the men of this gen craton? and to what are they like2 They are like unto children sitting in the market place and calling one t0 another and saying, We have piped unto you and yc have not danced we have moulncd to you and ye have not wept. For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine and ye say, He hat q devil The Son of man is come eating and drinking: and ye say, Behold q glut- tonous man. and wine bbbcr, Il friend of publicans and sinners. - Luke [ :32.3f
 "Vox populi vOx Dei''-the voice of the people is the voice of God. The sentiment of this ancient proyerb ap- peals to our love of democracy and We are disposed to accept il as the eX- prcSSion of an accepted truth. But alas. like many other maXims which nave REpN II llodlN Nltil dS' tIll7 'ii' will not stand the searching test of history, nor the careful scrutiny oi wise and thoughtful men. While it iS true that the masses of the people generally reach sound and true con. clusi0ns on all questions which are subjected to the searching tests of time
 
 and of careful and deliberate study, yet on the other hand we can hardly think of anything more uncertain, whimsical and inconsistent than k current popular sentiment and opinion. The multitudes which east their gar ments before the triumphal Christ to day and acclaim him as their King join with the bowling, soothing mob tomorrow and shout, Cruelty him, cruelty him; away with him for ever,
 This element of weakness and foll,. in human society could not escape the observation of our Lord. Tn this text We learn first of all that our Lord was impressed with the superticiality of the multitudes He said they were like children i'll the market place, The market place iS supposed To be a place where serious interests occupy the minds of men Here men buy and sell Here the dealer seeks to improve his fortune or at least to earn a liNeli= bn Gppl-G n the things which he may need, or de sire, and to buy these things at hte best possible bargains. In other words htc market place iS q serious place where important interests are at stake and important matters demand c0nsld- cration But the children are un- mindful of all this. They romp and play with no thought or care of the problems which are pressing on the minds and hearts of the busy buyers and sellers The Master looked on and saw the masses of the people as they were absorbed .in the passing pleasures of the hour, or moved ny the popular tides of sentiment or emotion and who gave no heed to the great questions which had to do both with their public interests and their per sonal welfare Do not much the same conditions exist today How many people will We find who give serious and studiuus consideration to the great problems which effect the wei fare of our state and nation and the welfare of the nations of the earth as well. How many people will We tini who are seriously and studiously con sidering the problems which pertain to their own best interests for time and for eternity How little real thought do men give to the proper trinng of# their minds, aud how much lo>, th0I ght do the masses give to the care and development ot their lm- mortal souls A passing Fadr with q negro and d banjo can attract more attention and draw greater crowds than can the most eloquent preacher or moralist in America. The picture show with it> appeal to the Superi- cial. and oftentmcs to the sensual and NcShIy. draws the masses while tue most gifted lecturers. musicians and minister's speak only to the few. Caruso said not long before his death that if hc should % up to the other
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