1900
Edward Bok said in the Sunday School Times, relative to a young man "sowing his wild oats:" "No man has ever passed through a period of indiscreet living during his early manhood without regretting the memory of it in after years. Nor has any man, by reason of 'sowing his wild oats,' known one iota more of 'life,' except that particular phase of it, which, if it had a glitter for him in youth, became a repellent remembrance to him in his more mature years. The reputation that comes of right living and good character is what the man of forty to seventy desires, and nothing but the well-spent years of early life can secure this."
—The Ram's Horn, March 17, 1900, p. 17
Showing posts with label temptations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label temptations. Show all posts
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Watch!
1874
There is no period in a Christian's life without peril of sin. A wily foe attends his steps, watching with sleepless vigilance for opportunities which may be made occasions for his fall. The only security for the child of God, therefore, throughout his entire pilgrimage, is in unrelaxing watchfulness. As the citadel is only secure against surprise and capture, when faithful sentinels, with pauseless step, pursue their steady tread along its walls and before its gates, so, the soul, the temple of the Holy Ghost, is alone impregnable against the Prince of Darkness when all its powers, clad in Gospel mail, guard every avenue, with incessant vigilance, against the entrance of evil.
But there are seasons of peculiar jeopardy, when unusual perils beset the Christian, and so insidiously, as to threaten his safety with more than ordinary promise of success. We are passing through such a season now, and there is need of the note of warning which we sound from the head of this article. We have seen and heard enough already to satisfy us that without great caution, the Adversary will gather rich spoils from the present "panic." The scarcity of money will be a strong temptation to many to disregard the sacred obligations by which they are bound to support the cause of God in its various departments. The pressure is so great, the future so threatening, the necessity for retrenchment so imperious, and "withholding more than is meet" so much more consonant with natural inclination, than the self-denial which enhances the gifts we lay upon God's altar, that, without weariness, many good people will be seduced into the sin of "robbing God" who would shrink from wilfully bringing upon their souls so grievous a crime. This is the supreme peril of the times; let Christian people guard against it. Be sure that you are personally cramped by the prevalent stringency, before you make it a plea for withholding your dues from the Church or the claims of charity.
If really straightened, see to it that personal gratification is postponed to the claims of Him whose steward you are. It is right to be provident, but it is safe to give when the cause of God presents its claims, so long as there is anything with which to respond to its demands. The widow of Sarepta passed a "crisis" incomparably more trying than any we experience or are ever likely to encounter; and passed it safely, by dividing her scanty store with the prophet of the Lord. There is infinitely greater danger of damaging your soul by treacherous dealing with duty, than there is of impoverishing yourself by excessive contributions to the Lord's treasury. "Take heed then, and beware of covetuousness," which has a powerful ally in the present monetary stress. There is blessing or disaster for us in these trying times, according as we use them. Let us watch against the evils they threaten, and enrich our experience with all the spiritual benefits they are capable of yielding.
There is no period in a Christian's life without peril of sin. A wily foe attends his steps, watching with sleepless vigilance for opportunities which may be made occasions for his fall. The only security for the child of God, therefore, throughout his entire pilgrimage, is in unrelaxing watchfulness. As the citadel is only secure against surprise and capture, when faithful sentinels, with pauseless step, pursue their steady tread along its walls and before its gates, so, the soul, the temple of the Holy Ghost, is alone impregnable against the Prince of Darkness when all its powers, clad in Gospel mail, guard every avenue, with incessant vigilance, against the entrance of evil.
But there are seasons of peculiar jeopardy, when unusual perils beset the Christian, and so insidiously, as to threaten his safety with more than ordinary promise of success. We are passing through such a season now, and there is need of the note of warning which we sound from the head of this article. We have seen and heard enough already to satisfy us that without great caution, the Adversary will gather rich spoils from the present "panic." The scarcity of money will be a strong temptation to many to disregard the sacred obligations by which they are bound to support the cause of God in its various departments. The pressure is so great, the future so threatening, the necessity for retrenchment so imperious, and "withholding more than is meet" so much more consonant with natural inclination, than the self-denial which enhances the gifts we lay upon God's altar, that, without weariness, many good people will be seduced into the sin of "robbing God" who would shrink from wilfully bringing upon their souls so grievous a crime. This is the supreme peril of the times; let Christian people guard against it. Be sure that you are personally cramped by the prevalent stringency, before you make it a plea for withholding your dues from the Church or the claims of charity.
If really straightened, see to it that personal gratification is postponed to the claims of Him whose steward you are. It is right to be provident, but it is safe to give when the cause of God presents its claims, so long as there is anything with which to respond to its demands. The widow of Sarepta passed a "crisis" incomparably more trying than any we experience or are ever likely to encounter; and passed it safely, by dividing her scanty store with the prophet of the Lord. There is infinitely greater danger of damaging your soul by treacherous dealing with duty, than there is of impoverishing yourself by excessive contributions to the Lord's treasury. "Take heed then, and beware of covetuousness," which has a powerful ally in the present monetary stress. There is blessing or disaster for us in these trying times, according as we use them. Let us watch against the evils they threaten, and enrich our experience with all the spiritual benefits they are capable of yielding.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Divine Help Promised for Temptation
1903
Temptation to evil is a matter in which our personal moral fiber is involved, just as in a trial through suffering our powers of endurance are tested. What is your attitude toward evil? Is it one of apology and condonement? How perilous! Is it one easy familiarity? God pity your weakness! We have a duty to ourselves. Luther used to say: "We cannot keep the birds from flying around our heads, but we can prevent them from building their nests in our hair." We may not be able to keep temptation away, but we need not let it in the house. We should not expect God to lock the door and keep His hand upon it. We are the doorkeeper of our own souls.
Naturalists tell us that the scorpion will never use his sting, of which he is exceedingly careful, unless he can find a spot on the body of his desired victim sufficiently soft to admit its insertion without fear of injury. Temptation never assails the soul except at vulnerable points. Our own lusts determine the spots which the enemy strikes.
But fortunately the whole burden of resisting temptation to evil does not rest with us. Divine help is promised. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God." Wisdom is called by a sound writer "the art of Christian conduct." That art can be acquired of Christ Himself. He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin. He can and will impart the power of successful resistance. Moreover, there is specific promise in the premises. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to men, but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will also with the temptation make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." For him that endures there is the blessed crown of life. – Rev. George P. Eckman, pastor of St. Paul's M.E. Church, New York City.
Temptation to evil is a matter in which our personal moral fiber is involved, just as in a trial through suffering our powers of endurance are tested. What is your attitude toward evil? Is it one of apology and condonement? How perilous! Is it one easy familiarity? God pity your weakness! We have a duty to ourselves. Luther used to say: "We cannot keep the birds from flying around our heads, but we can prevent them from building their nests in our hair." We may not be able to keep temptation away, but we need not let it in the house. We should not expect God to lock the door and keep His hand upon it. We are the doorkeeper of our own souls.
Naturalists tell us that the scorpion will never use his sting, of which he is exceedingly careful, unless he can find a spot on the body of his desired victim sufficiently soft to admit its insertion without fear of injury. Temptation never assails the soul except at vulnerable points. Our own lusts determine the spots which the enemy strikes.
But fortunately the whole burden of resisting temptation to evil does not rest with us. Divine help is promised. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God." Wisdom is called by a sound writer "the art of Christian conduct." That art can be acquired of Christ Himself. He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin. He can and will impart the power of successful resistance. Moreover, there is specific promise in the premises. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to men, but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will also with the temptation make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." For him that endures there is the blessed crown of life. – Rev. George P. Eckman, pastor of St. Paul's M.E. Church, New York City.
In Temptation, Look to the Saviour's Greater Glory
Ohio, 1902
Discussed by Rector of All Saints Church Sunday
Church Members Should Pray Over Their Amusements — Where to Draw Line
Rev. J. D. Herron, of All Saints Episcopal church, preached Sunday morning on the "Temptations of Christ." His sermon was a timely one, treating as it did of amusements of the day. After treating of the "lust of the flesh" and the only hope for the drunkard he spoke as follows on the "lust of the eye" and the "pride of life."
The lust of the eye, the power of the world to make us forget God, to make us worship and serve the creature more than the Creator, to choke us with cares and riches and pleasures, so that we may bring no fruit to perfection, this lust, what life is there which has not felt its blight?
It is a hard temptation to decline, for it changes with the circumstances of each life. It is not the same for any two individuals. There are sources of temptation to every life. All seek naturally after pleasure. Pleasures are not evil in themselves, but all of them, when touching upon our bad hearts, are prime causes of evil. People say that they must have pleasures, that it is a natural hunger of the heart, and they say rightly. But pleasure has its limits. To escape the poison of worldly lust, it must be sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.
Do dancing, card playing, theatre-going, croquet, billiards, lawn tennis, novel reading, music, painting, gossiping, lunching interfere with the flow of your religious life, benumb your soul from prayer, from desire for the Holy Feast, from thoughts of Heaven, from meditations upon the life and the love of Jesus? "If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee, for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into Hell."
Do you ask, how can we draw the line? How can we know when these pleasures of life are hurtful to us? Would it not be better for the church to give us rules, and tell us what we may do, and what we should not do? Dear friends! the Saviour gave us no rules. He gave us simply himself. Let the Holy Feast of the altar, where He comes to meet you, be your guide. For there you will be with the Saviour upon the top of an exceeding high mountain, the mountain of human aspiration, from which the evil one has been dethroned, and as the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them pass before your imagination, the vision of a greater glory will fill the eye of your soul.
—The Portsmouth Times, Portsmouth, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1902, p. 7.
Discussed by Rector of All Saints Church Sunday
Church Members Should Pray Over Their Amusements — Where to Draw Line
Rev. J. D. Herron, of All Saints Episcopal church, preached Sunday morning on the "Temptations of Christ." His sermon was a timely one, treating as it did of amusements of the day. After treating of the "lust of the flesh" and the only hope for the drunkard he spoke as follows on the "lust of the eye" and the "pride of life."
The lust of the eye, the power of the world to make us forget God, to make us worship and serve the creature more than the Creator, to choke us with cares and riches and pleasures, so that we may bring no fruit to perfection, this lust, what life is there which has not felt its blight?
It is a hard temptation to decline, for it changes with the circumstances of each life. It is not the same for any two individuals. There are sources of temptation to every life. All seek naturally after pleasure. Pleasures are not evil in themselves, but all of them, when touching upon our bad hearts, are prime causes of evil. People say that they must have pleasures, that it is a natural hunger of the heart, and they say rightly. But pleasure has its limits. To escape the poison of worldly lust, it must be sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.
Do dancing, card playing, theatre-going, croquet, billiards, lawn tennis, novel reading, music, painting, gossiping, lunching interfere with the flow of your religious life, benumb your soul from prayer, from desire for the Holy Feast, from thoughts of Heaven, from meditations upon the life and the love of Jesus? "If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee, for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into Hell."
Do you ask, how can we draw the line? How can we know when these pleasures of life are hurtful to us? Would it not be better for the church to give us rules, and tell us what we may do, and what we should not do? Dear friends! the Saviour gave us no rules. He gave us simply himself. Let the Holy Feast of the altar, where He comes to meet you, be your guide. For there you will be with the Saviour upon the top of an exceeding high mountain, the mountain of human aspiration, from which the evil one has been dethroned, and as the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them pass before your imagination, the vision of a greater glory will fill the eye of your soul.
—The Portsmouth Times, Portsmouth, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1902, p. 7.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Sex and Sin — Gender Differences and Morality
1902
Sex and Sin
An Interesting Discussion of an Old, Old Subject
"The woman thou gavest to be with me tempted me and I did eat." Such was the plea of Adam — and Adam has always been regarded by civilized people as a bit of a sneak for thus attempting to shift the burden of responsibility upon the sex which the highest development of chivalry demands that the male should protect. Bishop Spaldlng of Peoria is hardly to be classed with Adam when he characterizes the women of America as the source of three-quarters of the crime committed in this country, for he has no personal motive in making the accusation. He seems to be animated, rather, by a broad spirit of philosophical inquiry.
His impressions are evidently gained largely from the confessional and from the intimate observation of the details of family and social life permitted to a priest of his church. Physicians who, in a way, often serve as father confessors to the unfortunate, draw facts from their own experience which would lead to a similar conclusion. But in saying that women are the source of a large percentage of the crime we would not understand either the priest or the physician as saying that the women were culpably so. Eve may have had no intention of tempting Adam to sin. Manlike, he may have followed the lure of her beauty and her charm on his own responsibility, and resolved to tread the path of disobedience in her company, though it led to death.
The philosophic statement of the broad truth would be that the sex motive is at the bottom of seventy-five per cent of the crime in the world. Next to alimentiveness, amativeness is the strongest instinct in human nature. The race first seeks the means of continuing the individual existence, and next the means of continuing the species. Woman is at once the tempted and the temptress. The lawless passions of man wreak themselves on her, and she in her weakness protects herself with subtlety, oftentimes with deception. The consequences of common sin are more fearful to her than to the man, and she is taught from her childhood to protect her virtue at the sacrifice, if necessary, of other noble qualities — or that failing to do so she is utterly lost. Hence the reckless abandon of impure women. The boy, on the other hand, is taught that truth, courage, honor are of more importance than bodily purity. As society is largely constituted, the man violates the law of purity lightly, but holds to his other standards of honor, while the woman who shares his sin is dragged to utter degradation. The man perhaps recovers his balance; finds his standing in society not impaired, and leads a useful and honorable life, as worldly honors go. Thus the contrast between the two classes of sinners becomes accentuated to the disadvantage of the woman and the advantage of the man.
The scientist Lombroso accounts woman the immoral sex, because she has not the same standards of truth and honor and courage that men have. If she has not, it is the fault of her education and not of nature. Under existing standards she has not a fair chance in the world. But in spite of this a large percentage of the sex rise to moral heights of which men are incapable. Bishop Spalding's arraignment at first blush excites indignation; but when properly construed it is in reality more an arraignment of men and the false standards of education and morality, than of women as women. The fair sex may be the source of crime, through their attraction and fascination, without being themselves the responsible sinners. If the reader will keep this fact in view he (or she) will he able to appreciate the force of the bishop's observation without mentally accusing him of either false diagnosis or intentional slander. — Minneapolis Tribune.
—The Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, June 11, 1902, p. 3.
Sex and Sin
An Interesting Discussion of an Old, Old Subject
"The woman thou gavest to be with me tempted me and I did eat." Such was the plea of Adam — and Adam has always been regarded by civilized people as a bit of a sneak for thus attempting to shift the burden of responsibility upon the sex which the highest development of chivalry demands that the male should protect. Bishop Spaldlng of Peoria is hardly to be classed with Adam when he characterizes the women of America as the source of three-quarters of the crime committed in this country, for he has no personal motive in making the accusation. He seems to be animated, rather, by a broad spirit of philosophical inquiry.
His impressions are evidently gained largely from the confessional and from the intimate observation of the details of family and social life permitted to a priest of his church. Physicians who, in a way, often serve as father confessors to the unfortunate, draw facts from their own experience which would lead to a similar conclusion. But in saying that women are the source of a large percentage of the crime we would not understand either the priest or the physician as saying that the women were culpably so. Eve may have had no intention of tempting Adam to sin. Manlike, he may have followed the lure of her beauty and her charm on his own responsibility, and resolved to tread the path of disobedience in her company, though it led to death.
The philosophic statement of the broad truth would be that the sex motive is at the bottom of seventy-five per cent of the crime in the world. Next to alimentiveness, amativeness is the strongest instinct in human nature. The race first seeks the means of continuing the individual existence, and next the means of continuing the species. Woman is at once the tempted and the temptress. The lawless passions of man wreak themselves on her, and she in her weakness protects herself with subtlety, oftentimes with deception. The consequences of common sin are more fearful to her than to the man, and she is taught from her childhood to protect her virtue at the sacrifice, if necessary, of other noble qualities — or that failing to do so she is utterly lost. Hence the reckless abandon of impure women. The boy, on the other hand, is taught that truth, courage, honor are of more importance than bodily purity. As society is largely constituted, the man violates the law of purity lightly, but holds to his other standards of honor, while the woman who shares his sin is dragged to utter degradation. The man perhaps recovers his balance; finds his standing in society not impaired, and leads a useful and honorable life, as worldly honors go. Thus the contrast between the two classes of sinners becomes accentuated to the disadvantage of the woman and the advantage of the man.
The scientist Lombroso accounts woman the immoral sex, because she has not the same standards of truth and honor and courage that men have. If she has not, it is the fault of her education and not of nature. Under existing standards she has not a fair chance in the world. But in spite of this a large percentage of the sex rise to moral heights of which men are incapable. Bishop Spalding's arraignment at first blush excites indignation; but when properly construed it is in reality more an arraignment of men and the false standards of education and morality, than of women as women. The fair sex may be the source of crime, through their attraction and fascination, without being themselves the responsible sinners. If the reader will keep this fact in view he (or she) will he able to appreciate the force of the bishop's observation without mentally accusing him of either false diagnosis or intentional slander. — Minneapolis Tribune.
—The Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, June 11, 1902, p. 3.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Leader of "Holy Jumpers" Tells Experiences in Religious Life
1909
CONFESSIONS OF MRS. HARVEY
Leader of "Holy Jumpers" Gives Interesting Experiences in Religious Life
Mrs. E. L. Harvey, wife of the secretary of the Metropolitan Church association, otherwise known as the Holy Jumpers, a woman of much force of character and ability and one of the leading spirits of the sect, has an interesting article entitled "A Page of My Experience" in the current number of The Burning Bush. From this article we make the following selections:
From childhood I was brought up in the Methodist church and Sunday school and later in the missionary societies and Epworth league. I saw around me a company of young people who professed to love the Lord, who were members of the church but the great object with all of us was to make our class or our society a success.
Only for the week of prayer in the winter time was a special effort made to get souls saved and in that only a very few took part in assisting the minister or evangelist. Again, in the summer time the camp meeting would meet and for ten days the people were stirred up to think about getting someone saved.
Whenever I would hear a sermon preached which told of a life higher than that which I experienced, I was at the altar to seek holiness, but, immediately, on the return from camp meeting, came the usual round of strawberry suppers and ice cream sociables in the name of religion, and these sapped away the piety of each individual.
Trying to Outdo.
As a matter of course in all of these social affairs there entered much rivalry and jealousy, each one trying to outdo the other and secure the approbation of her fellow-workers — then came the vieing with each other in the matter of dress. Of course these things were supposed to be hidden, and yet in each heart was the desire to appear as well as her neighbor.
I had been married and we were engaged in mission work, but, we still attended the old church; but the fact that we were laboring in mission work caused me to trim down somewhat and helped me to get a different view of matters, and I began to see more clearly that real work for God did not consist in giving sociables and parties.
Realizing a Need.
A holiness evangelist was called to the Methodist church where we held our membership, and I eagerly listened to the red-hot truths and went to the altar to be sanctified as I thought that that was what I needed. The preacher told me if anyone in the church was sanctified, I was and that I should not be at the altar. However, I knew the stirrings of my own heart and knew that I needed the abiding presence of Christ.
God certainly changed my heart at that time and all desire for the social doings was taken from me and God helped me to take a decided stand against them and to refuse to lend any assistance to those who carried them on.
God's Voice Was Heeded.
My husband's business was prospering and I had an easy, care-free life and could have whatever I desired. God led me to spend much time each day in prayer and in reading His Word and holiness literature and I well remember how He talked to me about the manner in which I wore my hair, and very gladly I made it plain to please Him. The Lord also had talked to me about singing worldly songs and these too were laid aside. Then came up the question of fancy hats and, as though it were yesterday, I remember the first one I tore to pieces, taking off the drooping feathers and the flowers. The devil said that I could never stand it; but I believed God, and ten years have flown by since that time and I have never wanted any such things.
Silk dresses came in for condemnation by the Lord and these too were given up. Then came the wearing of gold. I had often been ashamed in our mission work on seeing my diamond engagement ring flash and would turn it under my hand, but when God talked to me about this and also all other gold — rings, pins, chains, watch, etc. — I became so heartsick and disgusted with gold that I could scarcely bear the sight of brass buttons and it was no trial to lay it off, and later I was delighted to see the gold and diamond "treasures" traded off to help pay for a bus to carry students to a noon meeting held years ago in Chicago.
Thus it was with other matters of clothing — the tailor-made suits became a thing of the past, as well as the sealskin coat which went to help pay expenses of the Bible school. These things all belong to the long-ago — the time which we would not recall for all there is in this world.
The Light Was Dim.
We heard no preaching upon these things — the light was dim. Once in a while some old saint would say a word but the holiness evangelists enjoyed coming to our home and we enjoyed entertaining them, but they did not speak out against anything they saw.
Dr. Carradine's Opinions.
It was in Dr. Carradine's meetings that God sanctified my soul; but Dr. Carradine told me that the Lord would never ask me to take off my wedding ring as it was the bond of matrimony —but, nevertheless, it went for I knew that gold was gold and God said through His apostle that it was not to be worn by the saints. Although Dr. Carradine in his public preaching ridiculed "rooster tail feathers" and plumes, yet he told me the feathers in a certain hat of mine were all right, and told me he believed the prettiest trimming for a lady's hat was ostrich feathers, and showed me the pictures of his wife and one or two of his daughters with hats heavy with plumes, which of course must have been bought with money which he received from holiness preaching.
God had told me I must not sing worldly songs, but Dr. Carradine, while at our home, brought in two copies of a song, "Her Mem'ry Brings Me No Regret," giving me one which he asked me to sing and sending one to his daughter in St. Louis.
The Home in Question.
The Lord began to talk to my husband and me about our home with its hardwood floors, oriental rugs and furnishings. I asked Dr. Carradine what he thought about that. He told me to never give it up, that it was none too good and that if we would give it up and live in a tent with a rug in it, someone would come along and say we ought not to have the rug. But still the voice of God kept talking and reminding us that there were thousands of dollars tied up in a home for us, which could be used to put missionaries into the field and win souls. The decision was made; the devil stood by, telling me I could never stand it as I had always loved my home. He said we were deteriorating and we were degenerating and would soon have nothing.
I told the Lord if I had to dress in calico and live in a tent the rest of my life I was going to be His child and do His bidding. It was sweet to do His will. The day came when we were to pack up and move out and to the glory of God I can say that there was not a sigh nor a tear but a constant song. A friend afterward remarked that as she saw the packing going on, she did not see how I could sing.
The Distribution.
When the different articles of furniture were distributed, some to the Children's Home, some to the Missionary Home, some to the Bible school it was a delight to see them used, not for self, but for the glory of God. Some pieces were sold and the money put directly into the work of the Lord. Then came the selling of the home — the title passed into the new owner's hands; the money went into the Lord's work; the bridges were burned, and, praise God, to this present day through the years that have passed since then we have never had one desire to have the home back again, but have thoroughly enjoyed the life into which the Lord has led us.
God Almighty Speaks Again.
When our home was sold we had no thought of living in the Bible school, but there the Lord plainly led us. Then the Lord called for my husband's business. It was prospering and growing; the proceeds had long been used for the Lord, but now He said, "Strip for the race and lay aside these burdens and let others assume these responsibilities."
So the business was sold, passing into other hands who bought it — name and all. This money also was put into the Lord's work, and there was no temptation to touch any of it to get clothing or anything for ourselves. Thank God, our Christ was welcomed to it all. He has cared for us during the years since that time, has clothed and fed us and we fear not the future, but trust God always.
—The Waukesha Freeman, Waukesha, WI, July 1, 1909, p. 2.
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