The Christian Sun.
IN ESSENTIALS—UNITY, IN NON-ESSENTIALS—LIBERTY, IN ALL THINGS—CHARITY.
ESTABLISHED 1844. GREENSBORO, N. 0., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1907. VOLUME L1X. NUMBER 41.
All communications, whether for publica
tion or pertaining to matters c» isiness,
should be sent to the Editor, J. 0. Atkinson,
Eloti College, N. C.
EDITORIAL COMMENT.
Governor Hughes.—The Present Governor
of New York, Hon. Chas. E. Hughes, may or
may not be the next nominee of the Republi
can party for the presidency. Not being a
politician ourselves, and ignorant as to po
litical manoeuvers, we have no way of telling
what the decree of the “leaders” is. But
this much is certain: Mr." Hughes is worth
looking at and thinking about. We had never
heard of the gentleman until the State of
New York unfastened his chain some months
ago, opened the front gate and “sigged”
him on to the great metropolitian life in
surance companies. Immediately there was
something doing. And something kept on
doing until the great companies fairly bounc
ed and bellowed from sheer pain and agony.
It was truly a great performance and Hughes
came out victorious in that fierce fight. He
laid bare the iniquity, shame and inward
wickedness of those companies. .The whole
country applauded and New York showed its
appreciation of faithful duty well done by
electing Mr. Hughes governor. And the New
York papers say he has so far made a good
governor. He has pursued the same policy
of thoroughness in the executive office that
he displayed in investigating the insurance
companies.
Mr. Hughes is said to be a Christian man
and is a loyal member of the Baptist ehurch.
Indeed he was chosen President of the recent
Baptist national assembly which met in
Washington if our memory serves correctly.
His father is still living and is an active min
cer in the Baptist church.
Now there is talk among the men of his
party of nominating him for the presidency.
Here is the way Hughes himself refers to
the matter in a recent public utterance: “I
do not seek any public office. I have, not
sought, nor shall I seek directly or indirectly
to influence the selection or the vote of any
delegate to any convention.” That sounds
right in our day. Is it to come about that
an office is about to seek the man and not
the man the office?
Whatever his political ambition may or
may not be Chas. E. Hughes is an interesting
character and the country is likely to hear
more of- him as the years go by. A man who
is thorough, honest, sincere, unbiased and
fearless in the discharge of public duties is
likely to make his way somewhere, somehow.
William J. Bryan—This is the fourth
or fifth time Mr. Bryan has toured the
South speech-making and from the crowds
that gather to ‘hear him his popularity
has not waned. The people love to hear
him speak and will put themselves to all
sorts of inconveniences to listen to him.
Thusands stood in dust,turmoil and a burning
sun at Raleigh to hear him last Thursday
and he held them there for an hour and a
half. He talked of government and politics
and parties and trusts and tariff, subjects
worn and weary long years ago, and yet peo
ple listened, democrats and republicans, men
and women, boys and girls, all listened with
ever deepening interest and admiration. As
a platform speaker, as a thrilling orator, as
a fascinating, fetching lecturer William
J. Bryan has no peer in our day. He has clear
convictions on public questions and does not
hesitate to express them in most forcible and
fearless fashion.
Think of it. Here is a man who has run
for the presidency twice and has been over
whelmingly defeated both times. His most
memorable campaign was upon an issue that
at time was untenable and since the time
has become obsolete. Yet this man remains
the unquestioned leader of his party and can
have the nomination for another campaign
if he will only accept it. Yet no one has
accused him of being corrupt, immoral, vi
cious or in charge of any machine. When
he comes out and speaks to the people they
admire the manner of the speech and more
highly esteem the speaker. It is a marvel
and a wonder. Mr. Bryan is still a national
figure and one of the best known and most
talked about “private citizens” in the world.
He may never be president, is not likely to
be, but folks love to hear him speak and
love to talk about him.
The Use of Wealth.—A friend remarked
the other day, in this presence, that you could
more nearly measure a man’s ability and
good sense by what he spent, and the way he
spent it, than you could by what a man made,
and the way he made it. That is not a bad
lit of human philosophy. Fools and bad men
often make money, or fall into possession of
it, in a very reasonable, sensible sort of fash
ion. But if you want to see the folly of the
fool, and the wickedness of the bad man, just
see how he spends his money. His method of
expenditure will measure him up and weigh
him out for you. We really weigh people,
more by the way they spend han by what they
have. The wealthy are usually brought into
ill repute, not by, nor because of, their
wealth, but by the way they spend their
wealth. It is silly and foolish expenditure
that enrages the multitude. There are peo
ple of wealth whom everybody admires and
about whom everybody has a good word.
They are the people who have a sense of the
responsibility that wealth confers and do
not squander their wealth in recklessness and
in silly expenditure.
Mr. Charles Schwab of Steel Trust fame
is quoted as saying recently “I have some
money—quite a lot of it in fact. What good
does it do me? I have a nice place to live,
good meals to eat, and clothes to wear. That
is about all, except that Mrs Schwab is able
to spend a few pennies and enjoy herself.”
The late Jay Gould is quoted tohavesaid near
the close of his life that he had worked nearly
all his days and years “for his victuals and
clothes.”* Now this is all, with one thing
left out: The man of wealth has the weight
of responsibility upon him of spending his
money wisely and well. There is a reward
for carrying that weight—the reward that
comes from duty well performed. God has
given to some the ability to make money.
It is as much the duty of such men to make
money as it is for the teacher to teach or the
preacher to preach. But the same wise One
holds him responsible, and measures him
up by the way he uses and spends that wealth
"s He does the teacher or the preacher for
the use of the talents intrusted to him.
SEARCHING AFTER GOD.
‘1 Canst thou by searching find out, God ?
Canst thou find out the Almighty unto per
fection ? ’ ’
It is very commendable iri every oue to
search for Him and to learn as much as pos
sible what He is and where He is. The
thought is often entertained, where is he
who is the object of our worship and the
adoration of our lives? He -is a Spirit?—is
everywhere, and can do whatever he pleases,,
for neither time nor space limits his power
and influence. He is searching for us and
knows all about us, and it is our present and
everlasting duty to praise him for his ex
cellency and all seeing providence. “0 Lord,
thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou
knowest my downsitting and mine uprising,
thou understandest my thoughts afar off. . .
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
it is high I cannot attain unto it. Whither
shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall
I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up in
to heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed
in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take
the wings of the morning, and dwell in the
it ter most parts of the sea; even there shall
thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall
hold me.”
Standing upon the highest point of a gor
geous mountain range you are impressed with
its greatness and completion, and while view
ing its attractions your thoughts are diligent
ly employed in searching for him who made
it, and with earnest pleading in the words
of another you say, “Hear my cry, O God,
attend unto my prayer. From the end of the
earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is
overwhelmed: lead me to the roek that is
higher than I.”
While gazing at the stars which light up
the dark expanse of universal space, you
gladly think of the mild guiding star of
Bethlehem which lead the searchers after the
Son of God to the place where the young
child was. Then you are invited to search more
diligently for him who said: ‘1 am the root
and the offspring of David, and the bright
and morning star,” dntil by the gleaming
search light of faith you find the God you
seek—then the transporting happiness which
you find in him brings enexpressible joy.
If on the dashing waves of the sea, storm
tossed or calm you continue looking for Him,
as you search let the mind go quickly
to the sea of Galilee and think of Jesus
walking on the .water uttering these comfort
ing words: ‘ ‘ Be of good cheer: it is I; be not
ffraid. ” Then hear Him too, as the boat
was tossed about on that same turbulent sea,
saying to the waves with that inspiring voice,
“Peace, be still.” When diligent search is
made for him who is everywhere, He is easy
to find; because he will be found by all who
look for him in spirit and in truth. You who
are lost on the sea of a smful life are drift
ing, drifting, drifting away to ruin unless you
have Jesus to pilot you. You who are travel
ing through the great desert of so called sin
ful pleasure listen to his loving words call
ing you to, ‘ ‘ Come unto me. ’ ’ God does
not desire you to seek him in vain. Seek
and you shall find. Have high sublime con
ceptions—think of him as your refuge and
strength, recall his splendid promises; draw
nigh in full assurance, turn away from sin;
dispel vain, unlawful desire, and let salvation
transfox-m and reform you.
Today many are rejoicing because they
have found the Lord and while' they exult
in his pardoning love they fondly hope to
live and reign with him forever. May all
who have found the way walk in it until their
brightest and best hopes culminate in heaven.
J. T. Kitchen.
GOD’S OMNIPOTENCE.
The natural world displayed around us on
all sides, is an open book that discribes
most eloquently the power of the Creation.
The same great power is evident if we view'
the sun in the heavens or if we examine
the tiny violet growing by the roadside. Let
us ascend the scale and endeavor with our
feeble minds to grasp what we can of the in
finite Ippwer that created Jhe earth on which
we live, or if you please descend the scale
to the smallest object of creation man has
been able to discover and then you will find
evidenced the work of a power the mind of
man is unable to comprehend. The more I
learn and the more I am enabled to see the
why ot things the more evident becomes the
omnipotent Power. We have all experienced
the feeling that steals over us during a grand
electrical storm. Then has been a time in
my life; when that feeling was near akin
to fear. Now it is a feeling of nomential
awe that comes over me, for through the
storm. I catch a glimpse of the Power that
is back of and behind it all.
Science has done much in explaining the
natural phenomena about us, but science
reaches a point when it is unable to go far
ther. There is a point beyond which the
mind of man is unable to penetrate, and
here is when we begin to see God’s power.
The botanist can tell yoc of the various stag
es of growth in the vegitable world. He can
enumerate to you the elements and condi
tions that will promote that growth, but he
•cannot explain to yoc the origin of the prin
ciple of life in the plant. That’s the work
of God ’8 power. The astronomer can tell
you of the laws that govern the motion of
the planets, and of the forces that hold them
in their orbits. All this belongs to his
realm, but he can not explain the source of
these laws and forces. That belongs to God
and is above man’s power. It requires more
faith to believe that all the countless things
which take place in the course of human
events just happen to be than it does to be
lieve the aH-powerful hand of God is direct
ing them. I say that it takes more faith to
believe that this world and all it contains,
just happened to be, than it does to believe
the hand of Almighty God shaped and fash
ioned and placed it all.
Take as an illustration the steam engine.
Can one believe this wonderful piece of ma
chinery to be the product of a happen sof
No! no! you say, that is the materialization
of an idea which existed in some one’s mind,,
and stands as a monument to his construc
tive power. Now can you believe this world,
which is far beyond comparison with any
thing man ever fashioned, to be the product
of a happen so, or do you believe it is the
handwork of God? Will you not admit it
requires less faith to say it is the material
ization of an idea that existed in the Di
vine mind, and stands as a testimony of
God’s Omnipotent Power? Then may we
see,
In all our Maker’s grand designs
Almighty power with wisdom shines;;
His works throughout all this wondrous
frame
Declare the glory of His name.
S. C. Harrell.
Elon College, N. C.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Fourth Quarter, Lesson IV. October 27, 1907.
Caleb’s Faithfulness Rewarded.
Joshua 14.6-15.
Golden Text.—Thou hast been faithful ov
er a few things, I will make thee ruler over
many things. Matt.. 25:23.
The capture of Jericho initiated a long war.
Immediately after the fall of Jericho, Joshua
proceeded to subdue the next stronghold, the
city of Ai, 15 or 20 miles west of Jericho, in
the highlands near Bethel. Here unexpect
edly his army met with a defeat. It was
learned that Achan had committed sin by
transgressing the command of God in relation
to the spoils of Jericho. After the victory
over Ai, the law was read to the people and
they rendered the covenant. Then came thte
strategy of the Gibeonites, who disguised
themselves with worn clothing, mouldy pro
visions, making pretense that they were a
band of emigrants from a far country, and
asking Joshua to make a covenant with them.
This peace covenant or treaty was entered
into without consulting the Lord.
Later five kings united to attack Gibeon.
Joshua, by a long night march attacked and
drove the enemy back up the hills toward
Pethharon. Two providential acts aided1
Joshua. First, a tremenduous hailstorm,
with thunder and lightening. The second
event alluded to in 2 Sam. 1:18, when Joshua
saw there was not time to complete the vic
tory before darkness set in, prayed with such
faith that he dared to command the sun and
moon to stand still.
At the close of five or six years’ war, the
land'was so far subdued that it could be di
vided among the nine and one-half tribes
who settled west of the Jordan the other two
and one-half tribes having already received
their portion east of the Jordan. This as
signment was made at Gilgal. Here came
Caleb, a great and marked man. Faith and
faithfulness were the living heart of Caleb’s
character. His faith endured 45 years with
out fading or faltering. Now he requests
that his inheritance be the mountainous
country in which Hebron was located, where
upon Joshua blessed him and granted his re
quest.
Caleb’s faithfulness teaches that faithful
ness in early life reaps a large reward in
later years.
There is no greater mistake than to ima
gine that indolence, carelessness in youth can
lead to a successful life. “Whatsoever a
man soweth that shall he also reap.”
The chief rewards of Caleb did not consist
in his getting possession, just before he died
of a tract of rough land, but in the conscious
ness of integrity, the delight of achievement,
the esteem of his comrades and the approv
al of God.
G. W. T.
It is now proposed to widen the Panama
canal considerably over what was originally
designed.
X