Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 December 1897 — Short Sermons. [ARTICLE]

Short Sermons.

Neglect,—Society, in its arrogance, selfishness and luxury, loses sight of the fact that the failure of nations and hll forms of civilization have followed because nations, society and civilization have neglected God’s laws and violated the rights of men.*—Rev. Father Dueey, CatholtC*, New York City. Love.—Unless we deny ourselves, make some sacrifice, we cannot get the spirit of true Though we may have the most elegant music, the most eloquent preacher, the very finest and most beautiful churches and have not love, all our efforts are thrown away.— Rev. J. K. Smith, Presbyterian, Louisville, Ky. A Great Force in the World.—Character is the greatest force in the world. Some say money is the greatest force, some say brains, some say love, but character is the greatest force because it is the force which determines the direction in which money, brains and love shall be used.—Rev. J. Dunlop, Presbyterian, Boston, Mass. Patient Trial—The large soul, the truly free man is, after all, he who has been subdued by patience. Each and every victory broadens the mental vision and adds to the moral stature so that the proficients in this school go forth to become the masters of the circles of their nativity.—Rev. David Philippson, Hebrqw, Cincinnati, Ohlb. Followers of God.—The religion of Jesus Christ has three kinds of followers to-day. (1) The rash followers, or those who do not count the cost or sac-l-ifice; (£) the dilatory followers, or those who are always looking backward; (3) the tender-hearted followers, those who want their loved ones to do right and be Christians, too.—Rev. A. R. Caudry, Disciple, Council Bluffs, lowa.

The Narrow Way.—The saying of Jesus, “Narrow is the way,” is not applicable alone to eternal life, but widely bears upon all human relations, for the way is narrow and straighfly hedged that leads to business success, to permanent political fame, to genuine and lasting satisfaction with the good things of the flesh, to a green and tranquil old age, as well as eternal life.— Rev. Frank Crane, Methodist, Chicago. Optimism.—While there is much wickedness on the earth, yet the world is steadily growing better. The power of morality, temperance, religion and faith is making for righteousness al! ever the world. Jesus Christ Is to be victorious over Satan and evil, and is to descend in glory and have power over all the nations of the earth, aud establish a kingdom of righteousness, peace and kindness.—Rev. P. C. Curnlck, Methodist, Cincinnati, Ohio. Human Nature.—Human nature Is noble In its origin. You are a spark of God. The storm of Eden left human nature In about the shape a cyclone leaves a Western village; yet in the debris here and there, in the marvels of man’s intellect, in his longing after immortality, in liTfe conscience, in his hope that starts and struggles and trembles away up to God, behold a glimmer of that image divine.—Rev. S. E. Young, Presbyterian, Newark, N. J. Omnipotent love. —Love is the greatest conquering force In the universe. Here Is a little bundle of flesh and blood that cannot talk or walk, but It stretches out Its tiny hands, and the strongest-man Is held a willing victim by that silken, touch. We are very feeble and ignorant, It may be, but when we stretch out our hands to God he Is taken captive by us. Love Is omnipotent, and even Omnipotence himself surrenders to tt—Rev. C. W. Gullette, Baptist, Cincinnati, Ohio.