The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1940-05-30


LESSON TEXT-Ezekiel 1916 Matthew
5:13-16; 7:16-2O; I Corinthians 1916, 7.
GOLDEN TEXT-Ye shall know them by
their fruits-Matthew 7:16.
Sound principles are foundational
to right living. Right living is tenn
perate living. The first temperance
lesson for the year emphasized the
sacredness of life. This lesson,
which is our second one on that
subject, properly stresses the i'm
portance of testing conduct by its
true usefulness.
The emphasis Of modern thinking
is upon learning, upon the brilliance
of scientific achievement, with little
or no concern about personal char
acter. Christianity and the Bible go
to the root of that matter, .stressing
the need of stalWart moral and spir-
itual character, without which other
attainments are lacking in real
value and meaning. Unless what a
man acconplishes is the expression
of the greatness of his character, it
is transient and often detrimental in
its effect on society.
Tested by its results, the liquor
traffic stands conclusively and COM
pletely condemned. Even its own
frantic efforts to clean up and be
more presentable indicates that
fact. McAlpine made a rather
acute comment when he said,
eff I WE'RE A LIAR ...
I'd advertise beer as a food,
whisky as the promoter of the
abundant life, and cocktails as
the badge of social correctness.
They say that if you repeat any
thing times enough, people will
believe it."
The Scripture portions before us
present five inconsistencies, five in
stances where fact denies a false
profession.
1. Wood Without Strength. GEEK.
15:1-6).
The branch of vine is at it's best
too crooked and pliable to be very
useful, but here we have a piece
of vine which has been charred in
the fire until it is so useless that it
can only be burned UP. This is the
picture Of a life, possibly somewhat
limited in its abilities and gifts, but
nevertheless valuable, but made ut
terly useless by careless or disso-
Lutte living. How tragic!
II. Salt Without Saver (Matt. 5:
49,.
True salt is penetrating, antisep-
tic and purifying, but savorless salt
is good for nothing but to make a
road for the feet of men. eye are
the salt of the earth" Christians,
if they have the true SAVIOR in their
lives, will count, by their very spin
itual pugnency, against sin and
corruption in their communities.
III. Light Without illumination
(Matt. SID.
A light is intended to give illumi-
nation to all around about it. It al
ways does that thing unless some
one hides it under a cover, and then
it becomes not only useless, but
dangerous. A life lighted by faith
in Christ will shine to the very ends
of the earth and, as missionary
once said, 'The light that shines
farthest shines brightest at home"
We are the light Of the world, but
if we cover our light we deny the
very essence Of our natures. Here
is no thought of proud or selfish dis
play. Light does not shout about
itself, it just shines-but it really
does shine.
". Trees Without Fruit Matt. 7:
1920.
Every plant brings forth fruit
after its own nature. We do not
expect figs from thistles, but we Go
expect figs on the fig tree. The
countryside bears no more desolate
figure than blasted, fruitless fruit
tree. Quickly the owner cuts it
down and terminates its shame and
uselessness by burning it. What
about men and women? God has
made them in His own image and
likeness. He has given them intelli-
gence and personal ability. He has
a right to expect the fruit of a useful
life from every one, and particu-
larly from the Christian, who is "a
good tree"
V. Life Without a Purpose q Cor.
1876, y.
Light and salt are inanimate OBJ
iects. Trees and vines with their
wood and fruit are alive, but they
are without intelligence and moral
ity. Man, however, as we have
already suggested, is the moral and
intelligent crown of Gods creation,
made in His own image and like
ness. If they who know better, live
lives of careless Indifference, yea
of outright wickedness, how shall
they escape the judgment of God in
the day when they shall stand be-
fore Him to give an account of the
manner in which they have used
this precious gift Of life?