1902
There will come to every manly man times in his life when he will see that there is something which is legitimately his, something which he has a right to, something which nobody can blame him if he takes and enjoys to the fullest, and yet something by whose voluntary and uncompelled surrender he can help his fellow man and aid the work of Christ and make the world better.
Then will come that man's trial. If he fails and cannot make the sacrifice, nobody will blame him; he will simply sink into the great multitude of honorable, respectable, self-indulgent people who take the comfortable things which everybody says they are entitled to, and live their easy life without a question.
But if he is of better stuff, and makes the renunciation of comfort for a higher work, then he goes up and stands humbly, but really, with Jesus Christ. He enters into the other range, that other sort of life where Jesus Christ lived. He is perfectly satisfied with that higher life. He does not envy, he does not grudge, the self-indulgent lives which he has left behind. He does not count up what he has lost; he does not ask whether he is happier or less happy than he would have been if he had kept what everybody said he had a right to keep.
It is not a question of happiness with him at all, but gradually, without his seeking it, he finds that the soul of the happiness which he has left behind him is in him still. Like fountains of sweet water in the sea it rises up and keeps him a living soul. He has left the world's pleasures and its privileges only to draw nearer to its necessities, which are its real life. So what he gave he keeps a thousand fold in this present time, and eternity is still before him, in the end everlasting life. — Phillips Brooks.
Showing posts with label devotion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label devotion. Show all posts
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
The Glory of the Nazarene
1910
By Rev. Wm. E. Tilroe, D.D.
And we beheld his glory. — John 1:14.
That a citizen of the earth, some nineteen centuries ago, a certain Syrian Jew, one Jesus of Nazareth, lived a life that was a life of glory, is the thing that is here said. Other things are said, but our matter of talk is this. It is not a theological vision, but a plain record. "The word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory."
Not that to the son of Zebedee theological vision was wanting. To him the historic Jesus of his generation was an eternal, ineffable something known as the Word of God. "In the beginning was the word and the word was with God, and the word was God," and "The word was made flesh and dwelt among us." As speech is a revealing, a message, from the soul invisible, so the Christ was a word from God. Further, this Christ was with John the potent universal Creator. "All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made." This same Creator and word has also life and light. "In him was life, and the life was the light of men." There may be existence without light, but existence without life there is not, and that new thrilling thing, the key of being, the light of the world, and the secret of destiny, is in the Christ.
Surely the invisible and ever-abiding Jesus shone zenith high in the eyes of John, and there was theological vision in plenty. But it was this vision become flesh and dwelling among us that was the immediate concern. One too poor for where to lay his head; barren of social prestige, without culture of the schools, writing no books, showing scant regard for organism or institutions, setting the sword into its sheath, beggaring himself deliberately of every arm of power in honor with the ages, and so mighty as to bend and rock the earth with his tread, making men suspect him nothing less than God, was a spectacle unspeakable for a Galilean fisherman. Fifty years and more he remembers what his eyes have seen, and only the greatest words under the sun and stars are able to tell his tale. "And we beheld his glory."
The glory of the Christ life may be seen earliest, possibly, in that it is the only one of its kind. It was a unique life. Jesus Christ was one, "only begotten." In all the ages he has no fellow. When Napoleon said: "Not one is like him," he had this vision. It is of the genius of greatness to carve a niche for itself, to fly in its own orbit, to evermore walk lonely. Moses, Aristotle, Caesar, Shakespeare, are memories of the forgotten, and live among the dead. So there was never another like the Son of Mary. Reverence is born of respect, and worship of the Christ may well begin by finding him among the solitary few. History can neither be written nor read without mention of His name. Jesus of Nazareth is even now Jesus of the planet.
But the glory of Christ is unique, especially, in being such a glory to the mind of God. Jesus Is the only begotten "of the Father." A compliment of benediction gathers its music and fragrance from its source. The great of earth must read their glory, always, in a revised version. The noonday light of one generation fades in another to a smoking taper. "Call no man happy until he is dead," is an ancient epitaph. Only the judgments of the immortals stand. That the life of the Christ is a glory with the Eternal, is at once a patent of worth and a call to prayer. That worship of the historic Jesus is not rank idolatry finds its one reason here; he is in time a veritable manifestation of the eternal God. Forevermore the Almighty Father exists in some fashion as a revealer, and in this fashion never repeats himself. "In the beginning was the word and the word was with God." Like the shock of earthquake or the rising of the sun this divine word breaks into human history as Jesus of Nazareth and passes on, and very rightly men tarry in reverence at his feet. That human soul which sees in Christ a unique, solitary, unshareable revealing of God alone may worship him.
This leads me naturally to say that the glory of the Christ life is seen also in its transcendence. It is a biography evermore parting from men and carried out of their vision. "The darkness comprehended it not." "The world knew him not." "His own received him not." Men face the Christ not only with mortal opposition, but with mental collapse. They reject him as surely that they are little as they are wicked. Their logic falls in a heap. They walk by faith or stagger to the dust. Unless they believe on his name, receive him, are given right and power to be sons of God, are veritably born again, they never catch the glory of the Christ. A simply human Christ, a Christ who is not transcendent, turns every Christian church into a heathen temple, baptism to an empty, wicked farce, the bread and wine to symbols of a gigantic lie, and Christian people everywhere into the most miserable of men.
By Rev. Wm. E. Tilroe, D.D.
And we beheld his glory. — John 1:14.
That a citizen of the earth, some nineteen centuries ago, a certain Syrian Jew, one Jesus of Nazareth, lived a life that was a life of glory, is the thing that is here said. Other things are said, but our matter of talk is this. It is not a theological vision, but a plain record. "The word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory."
Not that to the son of Zebedee theological vision was wanting. To him the historic Jesus of his generation was an eternal, ineffable something known as the Word of God. "In the beginning was the word and the word was with God, and the word was God," and "The word was made flesh and dwelt among us." As speech is a revealing, a message, from the soul invisible, so the Christ was a word from God. Further, this Christ was with John the potent universal Creator. "All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made." This same Creator and word has also life and light. "In him was life, and the life was the light of men." There may be existence without light, but existence without life there is not, and that new thrilling thing, the key of being, the light of the world, and the secret of destiny, is in the Christ.
Surely the invisible and ever-abiding Jesus shone zenith high in the eyes of John, and there was theological vision in plenty. But it was this vision become flesh and dwelling among us that was the immediate concern. One too poor for where to lay his head; barren of social prestige, without culture of the schools, writing no books, showing scant regard for organism or institutions, setting the sword into its sheath, beggaring himself deliberately of every arm of power in honor with the ages, and so mighty as to bend and rock the earth with his tread, making men suspect him nothing less than God, was a spectacle unspeakable for a Galilean fisherman. Fifty years and more he remembers what his eyes have seen, and only the greatest words under the sun and stars are able to tell his tale. "And we beheld his glory."
The glory of the Christ life may be seen earliest, possibly, in that it is the only one of its kind. It was a unique life. Jesus Christ was one, "only begotten." In all the ages he has no fellow. When Napoleon said: "Not one is like him," he had this vision. It is of the genius of greatness to carve a niche for itself, to fly in its own orbit, to evermore walk lonely. Moses, Aristotle, Caesar, Shakespeare, are memories of the forgotten, and live among the dead. So there was never another like the Son of Mary. Reverence is born of respect, and worship of the Christ may well begin by finding him among the solitary few. History can neither be written nor read without mention of His name. Jesus of Nazareth is even now Jesus of the planet.
But the glory of Christ is unique, especially, in being such a glory to the mind of God. Jesus Is the only begotten "of the Father." A compliment of benediction gathers its music and fragrance from its source. The great of earth must read their glory, always, in a revised version. The noonday light of one generation fades in another to a smoking taper. "Call no man happy until he is dead," is an ancient epitaph. Only the judgments of the immortals stand. That the life of the Christ is a glory with the Eternal, is at once a patent of worth and a call to prayer. That worship of the historic Jesus is not rank idolatry finds its one reason here; he is in time a veritable manifestation of the eternal God. Forevermore the Almighty Father exists in some fashion as a revealer, and in this fashion never repeats himself. "In the beginning was the word and the word was with God." Like the shock of earthquake or the rising of the sun this divine word breaks into human history as Jesus of Nazareth and passes on, and very rightly men tarry in reverence at his feet. That human soul which sees in Christ a unique, solitary, unshareable revealing of God alone may worship him.
This leads me naturally to say that the glory of the Christ life is seen also in its transcendence. It is a biography evermore parting from men and carried out of their vision. "The darkness comprehended it not." "The world knew him not." "His own received him not." Men face the Christ not only with mortal opposition, but with mental collapse. They reject him as surely that they are little as they are wicked. Their logic falls in a heap. They walk by faith or stagger to the dust. Unless they believe on his name, receive him, are given right and power to be sons of God, are veritably born again, they never catch the glory of the Christ. A simply human Christ, a Christ who is not transcendent, turns every Christian church into a heathen temple, baptism to an empty, wicked farce, the bread and wine to symbols of a gigantic lie, and Christian people everywhere into the most miserable of men.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
The Order of St. Monica
1895
How many people of the workaday world realize that there is in this prosaic country anything which smacks of medievalism as an order of "consecrated widowhood?"
Sisterhoods where virgins become the brides of the church are numerous in the Roman Catholic church and are not unknown among the Episcopalians, but the order of St. Monica is an order of widows. It is an Episcopal organization, and its head is Sister Caroline, the widow of the Rev. Ferdinand Ewer of New York.
It was formed in 1884, but its members were somewhat scattered and engaged in different pursuits until recently, when they have been invited to reunite at Springfield, Ill., and to take charge of an orphanage there. — Philadelphia Press.
How many people of the workaday world realize that there is in this prosaic country anything which smacks of medievalism as an order of "consecrated widowhood?"
Sisterhoods where virgins become the brides of the church are numerous in the Roman Catholic church and are not unknown among the Episcopalians, but the order of St. Monica is an order of widows. It is an Episcopal organization, and its head is Sister Caroline, the widow of the Rev. Ferdinand Ewer of New York.
It was formed in 1884, but its members were somewhat scattered and engaged in different pursuits until recently, when they have been invited to reunite at Springfield, Ill., and to take charge of an orphanage there. — Philadelphia Press.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Herald Blasts — "When God's Fire is Burning"
1909
A cold church will soon begin to warm up when God's fire is burning in the preacher's heart.
"I shall not want," is always the song of the soul in which there is no doubt.
Whoever gives his body to be burned, and has not love, throws away his ashes.
No greater mistake can be made than to make the accumulation of riches the first business of life.
The lantern that only shines when the sun shines will never be of any service to those who are lost.
Unless we say "Our Father" in our money getting, we cannot worship God by saying it in church.
Without consistent Christian life to back up the preacher, there is no use in ringing the church bell.
The preacher who puts thought into his sermons will, sooner or later, find himself preaching to people who think.
It hurts more to live a day without prayer than without bread.
Suppose there are hypocrites in the church, does that make your sinning any safer?
The man who loves sin is a sinner, no matter how much he pays for a pew in church.
Begin every day with this thought: What happens to-day will be what God sees is best.
The Christian never has to count his cash to find out how much he has to be thankful for.
Isn't there a strong touch of hypocrisy in thanking God for the bread and finding fault with the cook? — Home Herald.
A cold church will soon begin to warm up when God's fire is burning in the preacher's heart.
"I shall not want," is always the song of the soul in which there is no doubt.
Whoever gives his body to be burned, and has not love, throws away his ashes.
No greater mistake can be made than to make the accumulation of riches the first business of life.
The lantern that only shines when the sun shines will never be of any service to those who are lost.
Unless we say "Our Father" in our money getting, we cannot worship God by saying it in church.
Without consistent Christian life to back up the preacher, there is no use in ringing the church bell.
The preacher who puts thought into his sermons will, sooner or later, find himself preaching to people who think.
It hurts more to live a day without prayer than without bread.
Suppose there are hypocrites in the church, does that make your sinning any safer?
The man who loves sin is a sinner, no matter how much he pays for a pew in church.
Begin every day with this thought: What happens to-day will be what God sees is best.
The Christian never has to count his cash to find out how much he has to be thankful for.
Isn't there a strong touch of hypocrisy in thanking God for the bread and finding fault with the cook? — Home Herald.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Welcome Easter
1917
Man likes to rule, not merely to wait upon nature. So it is that he has learned through the ages to look for, and love the tiny things that mark the coming of the soil's great Easter session, and give him a hint that spring is waiting for him to commit his hopes and promises to her, that she may carry them on strong and hearty to her more vigorous successor, the sunny summertime.
IN THE HOLY LAND
Easter the Accepted Time for Gathering of Pilgrims From All Countries.
Easter has always been the most popular season for pilgrims and tourists to the Holy Land. Both the Roman and Greet Catholic churches have from remote ages encouraged and promoted the pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Scattered throughout the land vast hospices have been erected for the proper care of the religious pilgrims "under the supervision of the various Catholic and Protestant faiths that are drawn to the promised land. For, as someone has said. "This, the least of all lands, is the one country toward which Christian and Jew, Romanist, Greek and Moslem turn with adoring devotion and longing desire."
About fifteen thousand have been in the habit of visiting the sacred scenes of biblical history every year, entering the country through the ancient seaport or Jaffa. The European conflict has interfered with the plans of many a devoted follower of the Christian faith who proposed this season to carry out the dreams of a lifetime. The writer recalls a band of more than 135 German Catholics whom he frequently met last summer in Jerusalem, under the guidance of Brother Sebastian, formerly stationed at the American Catholic university, Brookland, Washington, D. C. The pilgrims were taken prisoners as they sailed from Jaffa a few hours after they had left Jerusalem with songs of devotion and praise to Christ and his church upon their lips.
One of the principal sights of Easter in Jerusalem is to witness upon Holy Saturday the so-called miracle of Holy Fire. It has been denounced by Roman Catholics and devout Christians of many faiths as a grass imposture, yet year after year for hours the section of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher upon Holy Saturday is crowded with the motley multitude, mostly from Russia, who are waiting for the Holy Ghost to appear unto them in the sacred fire. The people believe that it descends from heaven that day or is brought by an angel to the Holy Sepulcher.
Early in the last century two oval holes were pierced in the walls of the Chapel of the Angels, which is a portion of the Holy Sepulcher, where Greek, Roman Catholic, Armenian and Coptic Catholics worship at the burial place, as they believe, of their Lord. After being shut up in the sanctuary for several hours, the Greek bishop passes the miraculous fire through the little openings.
Immediately the multitude that has waited for over twenty four hours without food or drink becomes a howling mob and the fanatical Russians, Armenians, Copts and Abyssinians contend like maniacs to get their tapers lighted so that in a spirit of penance they may sear their bodies with the burning taper that has been lighted by "the holy fire."
The task of the Turkish guard stationed there in the great Christian temple erected in the cradle of their faith, symbolizing in its worship the unity in diversity of the church, is virtually powerless to keep order, much less to check the rioting and fighting of professed Christians. Frequently the enacting of the ceremony results in leaving upon the floor of the basilica the mangled dead forms of many who came there to worship. Above all the strife and superstition of the various sects that worship in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the fact that they all stand for a common truth that is symbolized in the sacred spot which for fully fifteen centuries has been considered the most sacred place on the earth.
Man likes to rule, not merely to wait upon nature. So it is that he has learned through the ages to look for, and love the tiny things that mark the coming of the soil's great Easter session, and give him a hint that spring is waiting for him to commit his hopes and promises to her, that she may carry them on strong and hearty to her more vigorous successor, the sunny summertime.
IN THE HOLY LAND
Easter the Accepted Time for Gathering of Pilgrims From All Countries.
Easter has always been the most popular season for pilgrims and tourists to the Holy Land. Both the Roman and Greet Catholic churches have from remote ages encouraged and promoted the pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Scattered throughout the land vast hospices have been erected for the proper care of the religious pilgrims "under the supervision of the various Catholic and Protestant faiths that are drawn to the promised land. For, as someone has said. "This, the least of all lands, is the one country toward which Christian and Jew, Romanist, Greek and Moslem turn with adoring devotion and longing desire."
About fifteen thousand have been in the habit of visiting the sacred scenes of biblical history every year, entering the country through the ancient seaport or Jaffa. The European conflict has interfered with the plans of many a devoted follower of the Christian faith who proposed this season to carry out the dreams of a lifetime. The writer recalls a band of more than 135 German Catholics whom he frequently met last summer in Jerusalem, under the guidance of Brother Sebastian, formerly stationed at the American Catholic university, Brookland, Washington, D. C. The pilgrims were taken prisoners as they sailed from Jaffa a few hours after they had left Jerusalem with songs of devotion and praise to Christ and his church upon their lips.
One of the principal sights of Easter in Jerusalem is to witness upon Holy Saturday the so-called miracle of Holy Fire. It has been denounced by Roman Catholics and devout Christians of many faiths as a grass imposture, yet year after year for hours the section of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher upon Holy Saturday is crowded with the motley multitude, mostly from Russia, who are waiting for the Holy Ghost to appear unto them in the sacred fire. The people believe that it descends from heaven that day or is brought by an angel to the Holy Sepulcher.
Early in the last century two oval holes were pierced in the walls of the Chapel of the Angels, which is a portion of the Holy Sepulcher, where Greek, Roman Catholic, Armenian and Coptic Catholics worship at the burial place, as they believe, of their Lord. After being shut up in the sanctuary for several hours, the Greek bishop passes the miraculous fire through the little openings.
Immediately the multitude that has waited for over twenty four hours without food or drink becomes a howling mob and the fanatical Russians, Armenians, Copts and Abyssinians contend like maniacs to get their tapers lighted so that in a spirit of penance they may sear their bodies with the burning taper that has been lighted by "the holy fire."
The task of the Turkish guard stationed there in the great Christian temple erected in the cradle of their faith, symbolizing in its worship the unity in diversity of the church, is virtually powerless to keep order, much less to check the rioting and fighting of professed Christians. Frequently the enacting of the ceremony results in leaving upon the floor of the basilica the mangled dead forms of many who came there to worship. Above all the strife and superstition of the various sects that worship in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the fact that they all stand for a common truth that is symbolized in the sacred spot which for fully fifteen centuries has been considered the most sacred place on the earth.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
The Christian Courage of a Reverend Father
1877
Samuel Maxwell, of the Third Ward, died yesterday morning, at 8 o'clock, of small-pox.
Shortly before his death, we understand that he, being a Protestant, sent for a Protestant minister to give him some spiritual advice, but the minister refused to go.
He sent for Father Eppink, who acceded to the request, and after giving to the dying man spiritual consolation, baptized him into the Catholic Church.
The Rev. Father is entitled to much praise for the Christian courage he has shown in visiting small-pox cases. He has gone, not only with the word of God in his mouth, but the spade and mattock in his hand, and while with one he prepared the soul for eternity, he dug the grave for the body.
Such devotion to God and humanity as he is showing is rare in human character. — Zanesville (Ohio] Times, January 15.
Samuel Maxwell, of the Third Ward, died yesterday morning, at 8 o'clock, of small-pox.
Shortly before his death, we understand that he, being a Protestant, sent for a Protestant minister to give him some spiritual advice, but the minister refused to go.
He sent for Father Eppink, who acceded to the request, and after giving to the dying man spiritual consolation, baptized him into the Catholic Church.
The Rev. Father is entitled to much praise for the Christian courage he has shown in visiting small-pox cases. He has gone, not only with the word of God in his mouth, but the spade and mattock in his hand, and while with one he prepared the soul for eternity, he dug the grave for the body.
Such devotion to God and humanity as he is showing is rare in human character. — Zanesville (Ohio] Times, January 15.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Truth
1895
"Truth, like food, is valuable to men as they are prepared to digest and appropriate it. Only as they were able to bear it, did Christ reveal the truth to His disciples, and He distinctly declared that, 'He had many things to say to them, but they could not bear them now,' To the inner circle to whom it was given to know the mysteries of the kingdom, He uttered plainly what He could utter to others only in parables. He withheld His disciples from speaking of the truth which they were prepared to confess — namely, that He was the Christ of God — because there would come the puzzling and seemingly contradictory fact that He must be denied, betrayed and crucified. Till the crowning proofs of His divinity by the resurrection were in, the people were not ready to accept the truth which the disciples saw. Truth may as surely be damagingly misused as food may." — Christian Intelligencer (Baptist).
"Truth, like food, is valuable to men as they are prepared to digest and appropriate it. Only as they were able to bear it, did Christ reveal the truth to His disciples, and He distinctly declared that, 'He had many things to say to them, but they could not bear them now,' To the inner circle to whom it was given to know the mysteries of the kingdom, He uttered plainly what He could utter to others only in parables. He withheld His disciples from speaking of the truth which they were prepared to confess — namely, that He was the Christ of God — because there would come the puzzling and seemingly contradictory fact that He must be denied, betrayed and crucified. Till the crowning proofs of His divinity by the resurrection were in, the people were not ready to accept the truth which the disciples saw. Truth may as surely be damagingly misused as food may." — Christian Intelligencer (Baptist).
Monday, April 30, 2007
Comforting
1905
A lady was awakened one morning by a strange noise of pecking at the window, when she saw a butterfly flying backwards and forwards inside the window, in a great fright, because outside there was a sparrow pecking at the glass, wanting to reach the butterfly. The butterfly did not see the glass, but it saw the sparrow, and evidently expected every moment to be caught. Neither did the sparrow see the glass, though it saw the butterfly, and made sure of catching it. But all the while the butterfly, because of that thin, invisible sheet of glass, was actually as safe as if it had been miles away from the sparrow. It is when we forget our Protector that our hearts fail us.
Elisha's servant was in great fear when he awoke in the morning and saw the city of Dothan encompassed with horses and chariots and a great host: but when his eyes were opened at the prayer of the prophet, his fears vanished, for he beheld the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire.
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusted in Thee." "The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in, from this time forth, and even for evermore." — Selected.
No one who has not tried it would believe how many difficulties are cleared out of a man's road by the simple act of trying to follow Christ. — ALEXANDER MACLAREN.
—The Young Churchman, Milwaukee, May 7, 1905, p. 2.
A lady was awakened one morning by a strange noise of pecking at the window, when she saw a butterfly flying backwards and forwards inside the window, in a great fright, because outside there was a sparrow pecking at the glass, wanting to reach the butterfly. The butterfly did not see the glass, but it saw the sparrow, and evidently expected every moment to be caught. Neither did the sparrow see the glass, though it saw the butterfly, and made sure of catching it. But all the while the butterfly, because of that thin, invisible sheet of glass, was actually as safe as if it had been miles away from the sparrow. It is when we forget our Protector that our hearts fail us.
Elisha's servant was in great fear when he awoke in the morning and saw the city of Dothan encompassed with horses and chariots and a great host: but when his eyes were opened at the prayer of the prophet, his fears vanished, for he beheld the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire.
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusted in Thee." "The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in, from this time forth, and even for evermore." — Selected.
No one who has not tried it would believe how many difficulties are cleared out of a man's road by the simple act of trying to follow Christ. — ALEXANDER MACLAREN.
—The Young Churchman, Milwaukee, May 7, 1905, p. 2.
Friday, April 20, 2007
The Way, the Truth, the Life (poetry)
1905
The Way, the Truth, the Life
Amid life's wild commotion,
Where nought the heart can cheer,
Who points beyond its ocean
To yonder brighter sphere?
Our feeble footsteps guiding,
When from the path we stray,
Who leads to bliss abiding?
Christ is our only WAY.
When doubts and fears distress us,
And all around is gloom,
And shame and fear oppress us,
Who can our souls illume?
Heaven's rays are round us gleaming,
And making all things bright,
The sun of TRUTH is beaming
In glory on our sight.
Who fills our heart with gladness
That none can take away?
Who shows us, midst our sadness,
The distant realms of day?
'Mid fears of death assailing,
Who stills the heart's wild strife?
'Tis Christ our friend unfailing,
The WAY, the TRUTH, the LIFE.
—Karl Julius Asschenfeld.
—The Ada Evening News, Ada, Oklahoma, January 21, 1905, page 3.
The Way, the Truth, the Life
Amid life's wild commotion,
Where nought the heart can cheer,
Who points beyond its ocean
To yonder brighter sphere?
Our feeble footsteps guiding,
When from the path we stray,
Who leads to bliss abiding?
Christ is our only WAY.
When doubts and fears distress us,
And all around is gloom,
And shame and fear oppress us,
Who can our souls illume?
Heaven's rays are round us gleaming,
And making all things bright,
The sun of TRUTH is beaming
In glory on our sight.
Who fills our heart with gladness
That none can take away?
Who shows us, midst our sadness,
The distant realms of day?
'Mid fears of death assailing,
Who stills the heart's wild strife?
'Tis Christ our friend unfailing,
The WAY, the TRUTH, the LIFE.
—Karl Julius Asschenfeld.
—The Ada Evening News, Ada, Oklahoma, January 21, 1905, page 3.
Fidelity, Being Faithful: The Test of Men
1905
One recognizes in our own rough daily judgments that fidelity is the discriminating test of men. We are told that So-and-So has made a certain statement. That gives the statement no significance of value to us. But So-and-So also made it. That quite alters the matter. He is a faithful man and his own trustworthiness covers all that issues from him.
It is what we seek in servants — simple fidelity in all quiet and unostentatious duty. And it is what we crave in friends. "Give us a man," said Dean Stanley, "young or old, high or low, on whom we can thoroughly depend, who will stand firm when others fall; the friend, faithful and true; the adviser, honest and fearless; the adversary, just and chivalrous; in such a one there is a fragment of the Rock of Ages." For, as Paul joyfully realized, fidelity is the very nature and characteristic of God. Whatever else changes, he changes not. He abides faithful because it is his own being. He cannot deny himself.
Love, says Paul, is a greater thing than faith or hope, but love in this sense is simply fidelity, the realization in life of the faithfulness of God. Paul's doctrine is that fidelity, which is simply veracity in action is sovereign over life. And this is Christ's doctrine: "Be thou faithful unto death and I shall give thee a crown of life." That was the closing verse in a small Christian tract prepared for distribution to the Japanese soldiers going to Manchuria. A captain read it with delight. "That is the religion for us," he said.
A curate whom the late Archbishop Temple proposed to send to a very difficult post, was urged by his friends to decline, on the ground that he would not live two years in the strain and trial of it. He came to Temple. "Yes, it may be so," was the reply, "but you and I don't think of things like that, do we?"
Dying is a trifle, an incident in the temporary episode of life, but fidelity is no trifle. It is an anchorage in the eternal moral integrity of God. To betray it for the sake of life or any other bauble is to trade glass for diamond; to build hay, whose end in fire, instead of gold, which is to be tried and to endure.
This conception of what, after all, is the greatest thing in life, dignifies our common ways. It brings the heroic within the reach of each one of us. If we can display the divine nature in our common living, then that glory is possible to everyone. And it is by taking advantage of this possibility of fidelity in the ordinary things of life that we shall come some day without knowing it to the glory of the divine character realized in life. — Robert E. Speer.
—The Ada Evening News, Ada, Oklahoma, January 21, 1905, page 2.
One recognizes in our own rough daily judgments that fidelity is the discriminating test of men. We are told that So-and-So has made a certain statement. That gives the statement no significance of value to us. But So-and-So also made it. That quite alters the matter. He is a faithful man and his own trustworthiness covers all that issues from him.
It is what we seek in servants — simple fidelity in all quiet and unostentatious duty. And it is what we crave in friends. "Give us a man," said Dean Stanley, "young or old, high or low, on whom we can thoroughly depend, who will stand firm when others fall; the friend, faithful and true; the adviser, honest and fearless; the adversary, just and chivalrous; in such a one there is a fragment of the Rock of Ages." For, as Paul joyfully realized, fidelity is the very nature and characteristic of God. Whatever else changes, he changes not. He abides faithful because it is his own being. He cannot deny himself.
Love, says Paul, is a greater thing than faith or hope, but love in this sense is simply fidelity, the realization in life of the faithfulness of God. Paul's doctrine is that fidelity, which is simply veracity in action is sovereign over life. And this is Christ's doctrine: "Be thou faithful unto death and I shall give thee a crown of life." That was the closing verse in a small Christian tract prepared for distribution to the Japanese soldiers going to Manchuria. A captain read it with delight. "That is the religion for us," he said.
A curate whom the late Archbishop Temple proposed to send to a very difficult post, was urged by his friends to decline, on the ground that he would not live two years in the strain and trial of it. He came to Temple. "Yes, it may be so," was the reply, "but you and I don't think of things like that, do we?"
Dying is a trifle, an incident in the temporary episode of life, but fidelity is no trifle. It is an anchorage in the eternal moral integrity of God. To betray it for the sake of life or any other bauble is to trade glass for diamond; to build hay, whose end in fire, instead of gold, which is to be tried and to endure.
This conception of what, after all, is the greatest thing in life, dignifies our common ways. It brings the heroic within the reach of each one of us. If we can display the divine nature in our common living, then that glory is possible to everyone. And it is by taking advantage of this possibility of fidelity in the ordinary things of life that we shall come some day without knowing it to the glory of the divine character realized in life. — Robert E. Speer.
—The Ada Evening News, Ada, Oklahoma, January 21, 1905, page 2.
American Turning Out Fine Grade of Idols for East
1903
CONSOLATION FOR HEATHEN.
American Genius Turning Out a Fine Grade of Idols for the East.
Manufacturers in the Christian city of Philadelphia make idols and ship them to Asia. The traffic has horrified many who thought ruin was the only objectionable article shipped to the heathen from this country.
For years England and Germany have bean monopolizing the trade in Buddhas, Krishnas, Sivas, Ganeshes and Jum-Jums. This was because they happened to be on the ground first. The idols which they turned out were, as a matter of fact, both expensive and inefficient.
The American manufacturer has now succeeded in bringing the trade where it really belongs. His success was inevitable. His idols are cheaper, do more work and last longer. The heathen who has once used an American idol, with self-closing eyes and automatically wiggling toes, refuses to use any other. Besides, many a poor heathen who could not afford to buy an expensive English or German idol, is able to allow himself the cheaper American article. Idols have been brought within the reach of the smallest purse. Within a few years the most impoverished native of the far East will find, thanks to the energy and ingenuity of the American trade, that he need not deny himself the spiritual consolations of his religion.
Some squeamish persons think that they see something a little bit inconsistent in sending out a ship with a deckful of missionaries and a holdful of idols. Such persons have not grasped the fact that this life is a matter not of consistency but of balance. There is a certain anarchist in Chicago who owns a public hall. In the course of his business he is obliged to let this hall out to Republican, Democratic and Socialistic speakers, who take special pains to expose anarchism to the hatred and derision of their hearers. What is the hall-owning anarchist to do? In order to live and in order to retain a place in which anarchism can be occasionally expounded he has to keep his hall in constant use. His speculative opinions and his business operations have to march abreast, but in parallel lines which will never meet.
Of course, there might be some good reason for complaint if the idol manufacturing companies should begin to boom their trade by getting out advertisements in defense of idolatry or by instructing their agents to hold joint debates with, missionaries. "Worship Flim Flam! A psychological analysis by government experts shows 89 per cent of deity! In portable, collapsible form, with a case! When opened out the reverse way ceases to be Flim Flam and becomes Jim Jam! The great duality! Two gods at the same time! A clear saving of 50 per cent!" — this kind of advertisement might be objectionable. After all, though, it is a mere exchange of idols. They get Buddhas and Krishnas; we get dollars and cents.— Chicago Tribune.
—Davenport Daily Republican, Davenport, Iowa, March 5, 1903, page 5.
CONSOLATION FOR HEATHEN.
American Genius Turning Out a Fine Grade of Idols for the East.
Manufacturers in the Christian city of Philadelphia make idols and ship them to Asia. The traffic has horrified many who thought ruin was the only objectionable article shipped to the heathen from this country.
For years England and Germany have bean monopolizing the trade in Buddhas, Krishnas, Sivas, Ganeshes and Jum-Jums. This was because they happened to be on the ground first. The idols which they turned out were, as a matter of fact, both expensive and inefficient.
The American manufacturer has now succeeded in bringing the trade where it really belongs. His success was inevitable. His idols are cheaper, do more work and last longer. The heathen who has once used an American idol, with self-closing eyes and automatically wiggling toes, refuses to use any other. Besides, many a poor heathen who could not afford to buy an expensive English or German idol, is able to allow himself the cheaper American article. Idols have been brought within the reach of the smallest purse. Within a few years the most impoverished native of the far East will find, thanks to the energy and ingenuity of the American trade, that he need not deny himself the spiritual consolations of his religion.
Some squeamish persons think that they see something a little bit inconsistent in sending out a ship with a deckful of missionaries and a holdful of idols. Such persons have not grasped the fact that this life is a matter not of consistency but of balance. There is a certain anarchist in Chicago who owns a public hall. In the course of his business he is obliged to let this hall out to Republican, Democratic and Socialistic speakers, who take special pains to expose anarchism to the hatred and derision of their hearers. What is the hall-owning anarchist to do? In order to live and in order to retain a place in which anarchism can be occasionally expounded he has to keep his hall in constant use. His speculative opinions and his business operations have to march abreast, but in parallel lines which will never meet.
Of course, there might be some good reason for complaint if the idol manufacturing companies should begin to boom their trade by getting out advertisements in defense of idolatry or by instructing their agents to hold joint debates with, missionaries. "Worship Flim Flam! A psychological analysis by government experts shows 89 per cent of deity! In portable, collapsible form, with a case! When opened out the reverse way ceases to be Flim Flam and becomes Jim Jam! The great duality! Two gods at the same time! A clear saving of 50 per cent!" — this kind of advertisement might be objectionable. After all, though, it is a mere exchange of idols. They get Buddhas and Krishnas; we get dollars and cents.— Chicago Tribune.
—Davenport Daily Republican, Davenport, Iowa, March 5, 1903, page 5.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Sentence Sermons
1920
Christ not diffused is Christ misused.
It is a solemn thing to say "tomorrow" when God says "today."
God's choicest plants often live in the shade.
A true Christian loves not the world yet loves all the world.
What your prayers are you will be.
God does not reveal what you yourself can discover.
We cannot trust God with too much or ourselves with too little.
Neutrality in religion is always cowardice.
Pray your pastor up and pay him up.
The present moment is divinely sent; the present duty is the Master's will.
You may know you're going down hill when your way is continually easy.
We can't all be apostles, but we can all be epistles.
The early church was characterized by poverty and power; the present is characterized by wealth and weakness.
Temptations that find us dwelling in God are to our faith like winds that more firmly root the tree.
A man may suffer without sinning, but he cannot sin without suffering.
Be sure of this: if you cannot sanctify your present lot, you could sanctify no other.
Is anything more pitiful than a life spent in thinking of nothing but self?
To deserve praise where none is obtained is better than to obtain it where none is deserved.
Live in Christ and you are in the suburbs of heaven.
Bolted food never unlocks its essences. Meditation is mental mastication.
A bad conscience embitters the sweetest comforts, a good one sweetens the bitterest crosses.
Though Satan builds a hedge about us, he cannot roof us in and prevent our looking up.
The gospel professed may lift a man to heaven. Only the gospel possessed will bring him into heaven.
The gospel is perfect. It is a crime to add to it; treason to alter it; felony to take from it.
--The Appleton Daily Post, Appleton, Wisconsin, January 5, 1920, page 3.
Christ not diffused is Christ misused.
It is a solemn thing to say "tomorrow" when God says "today."
God's choicest plants often live in the shade.
A true Christian loves not the world yet loves all the world.
What your prayers are you will be.
God does not reveal what you yourself can discover.
We cannot trust God with too much or ourselves with too little.
Neutrality in religion is always cowardice.
Pray your pastor up and pay him up.
The present moment is divinely sent; the present duty is the Master's will.
You may know you're going down hill when your way is continually easy.
We can't all be apostles, but we can all be epistles.
The early church was characterized by poverty and power; the present is characterized by wealth and weakness.
Temptations that find us dwelling in God are to our faith like winds that more firmly root the tree.
A man may suffer without sinning, but he cannot sin without suffering.
Be sure of this: if you cannot sanctify your present lot, you could sanctify no other.
Is anything more pitiful than a life spent in thinking of nothing but self?
To deserve praise where none is obtained is better than to obtain it where none is deserved.
Live in Christ and you are in the suburbs of heaven.
Bolted food never unlocks its essences. Meditation is mental mastication.
A bad conscience embitters the sweetest comforts, a good one sweetens the bitterest crosses.
Though Satan builds a hedge about us, he cannot roof us in and prevent our looking up.
The gospel professed may lift a man to heaven. Only the gospel possessed will bring him into heaven.
The gospel is perfect. It is a crime to add to it; treason to alter it; felony to take from it.
--The Appleton Daily Post, Appleton, Wisconsin, January 5, 1920, page 3.
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