The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-19
SERMON ON MEN OF
FACTS AND FIGURES

"The Man of Facts and Figures
was DR.. j. A MacSporran's subject at
the First Presbyterian church yester-
day morning. 1t Vas a sermon espe-
cially for business men. Through
tracing the character and develop
ment of St Matthew, Mr.. MacSporran
sought to bring out to modern men
who feel that their talents lie only
in the field of business, that they can
reach heights of service simply by
using the gifts they already possess.
business ability" said DR.. Mac
Sporran, lis one of the most highly
priced attributes of a man. In Amer
lea we have a genius for it, and we
admire it accordingly. Even min
lister must be good business man,
too. For churches are looking today
for good business men to fill their
pulIiits and head their activities.
College presidents are no longer
chosen for scholarship alone. Their
success is measured by business
standards and results as well. Even
art is more respected II 1t pays. And
that is nothing to be ashamed OF.
Such a feeling has a sound and sane
instinct for it's basis"
Speaking of personal eharacteris-
tics, he said: american business men
are ruled by ethical principles and
broad human sympathy. The conduct
of business in America is becoming
increasingly ethical and human. The
American business man is generous
and idealistic above any other on
earth. He is the heart and backbone
and will of the nation.
Therefore, business men have the
equipment and the gifts for the very
service most needed in this critical
hour. 1t is the time for the so-called
plain. matter fact man. Such men
can be the Matthews of today"
Speaking of Matthew himself. DR..
MaeSporran continued Here was the
very first typical business man that
Christ ever called to His service. And
Matthew produced the most impor-
tant work in the early history of the
Christian church. For his gospel. all
things considered. has been spoken of
by Renan as the most important book
in the history of Christianity.
Matthews history falls into three
periods. First a minor and disreput-,
able public position. But one day
he attracts Christ. Why? Because.
Matthew was porn collector;
mathematical precise, efficient.
Christ foresaw the value of such gifts
in the right employ.
so, second. we find Matthew still
a collector, but now the collector of
men. He gathered his friends under
his roof to hear Jesus. Here per-
haps for the first time outcasts sat
down with pious Jews. Here missions
began, under the hand of Matthew.
the collector. And all the rest of his
life Matthew gathered souls This
was the new and high expression of
his old acquisitive instincts. That
which he already had he but turned to
account for Christ. And conseerated
to such ends his talents were digni-
fled and ennobled. Here was just an
average man but grown into greater
service through using what he al
ready had.
Then as an old man, Matthew put
down in a book what he knew of
Christ; not a work of literature as
compared with Luke or Paul, but the
plain. whole, simple record of bust
ness mans personal knowledge of
Christ and His work. So it is com
plete.
ut is just such men that are needed
now. There is cali to take your
plain talents to high service. And
when your work is done you, too. will
write a gospel your gospel. You will
collect your experience. And your
best legacy to the world will be the
story of plain, practical business
man, who found the pearl of great
price"