Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-01

We turn once more to the Sermon on
the Mount for our lesson. In the sec
ond part of the Magma Charta of
Christianity. we find that Jesus gave
to the world a religion that was real.
reasonable and righteous beyond that of
His cynical critics. A comparison of
His practical precepts with their re-
ligious life revealed the hypocrisy Of
their position, principles and piety. He
warned His disciples against trying 10
live a life of duplicity in accordance
with the practice of His enemies of
almsgiving, prayer and fasting for the
purpose of securing the approval of
men rather than God. Their formal
observance of the rigid, religious ritual
of the rabbinical rules DESTROYED a
spiritual religion. Formally left no
room for religion of the heart when the
outward observance was to secure
human publicity and approval
Jesus condemned any form of spec
tacular show in religious service be-
cause the source of religious life was
secret and spiritual He condemned the
observance of religious rules, rites and
regulations for the purpose of securing
the approval of men. The Master In
sisted that this type of religion was
hypocritical, because it was not genuine
and true. He condemned the grand
stand type of publicity by people, whose
philanthropic endeavors were made for
the purpose of seeking fame. favor and
friendship of men. Almsgiving in the
Lords day was synonymous with right
eousness. Jesus believed in social serv-
ice. Most of the modern charitable
and philanthropic work owes their
origin directly or indirectly to His
teachings. The person who gives for
the purpose that he may enjoy for the
moment the glamour, glare and glory
of the limelight, He taught, would re-
ceive their reward from men, but such
public parade of ones almsgiving,
Jesus held, was not entitled to recogni-
ton from God.
When Christ comes into a mans life,
he at once starts on career of benevo-
lent giving. zacheus upon his CONVEX
sion became a pioneer of Christian
generosity. Something must have hap
pened in the case of the woman with
the alabaster box. She started prob
ably to give Him some of the ointment,
but she literally ShiVered 1t and be-
came "the pioneer of the Christian
habit OF giving all for Jesus" Neither
one OF these were moved by any selfish
consideration. Their gifts were the
outcoming of the new life which for
development demanded personal prayer.
We cannot, in our benevolence, let our
light so shine that men may see our
good works and glorify our Father in
Heaven" unless we keep unbroken our
spiritual fellowship with God through
our closest communications.
Fellowship Of Prayer.
Spiritual strength and ChriStlike
social service depends upon our taking
time for secret communion with God.
In the rush of our modern life, we are
overlooking the necessity of taking
time to be holy and speaking regularly
with God. We need to shut the world
out and enter more than we do into our
regular places Of prayer to commune
with our Father. In the rush of mod
ern life we are apt to forget that we
are called upon to "be still" to know
God. We are in danger of comforting
with men and neglecting our greatest
privilege Of communing with God Seek
ing the praise of men allures us away
from the source of spiritual power.