The Sedalia Weekly Bazoo

OUR SUNDAY SERMON.

Reader, is there a case of suffering humanity in your vicinity that you can reach and alleviate? Is there a widow or are there orphans, to whom you can extend a helping hand? Is there an afflicted one, whose sorrows you can assuage? Are there tears you can wipe away? Or, is there an aching heart from which you can lift a burden? If you know any case of sadness or grief which you can alleviate, happy are you if you speak the word or do the deed, which shall carry blessings with it to some throbbing human heart.

Religion does not consist in going to church. That is all right and proper. But the great Teacher who "went about doing good," set an example of benevolence which is one of the crowning beauties of the character of His true followers, and they who fail to be like Him in this respect, whatever they may do, are deficient in one of the most important particulars which mark the christian.

The world needs the exemplification of the doctrines taught by the churches. One bright example which clearly reflects the light of christian love, has more potency than the most eloquent sermon that ever fell from mortal lips. We by no means disparage the influence of a living ministry, but we are sure, the most powerful preaching is that which speaks in acts, which comes with a word of cheer to the bereaved, with a cup of water to the thirsty, with a loaf of bread to the hungry, that visits the sick in their affliction, and extends a helping hand to the fallen.

We disparage nothing that men do sincerely. It is better for an individual to be honest and religious one day in the week than not to be honest and religious at all. But a solemn face in church, all well enough if a man feels solemn, has not a tithe of the power which accompanies a smile at the bedside of the sick, or the touch of the tender hand which "soothes the rugged brow of pain."

"Let your light shine" in the face of suffering humanity. Let your salt have its savor in good deeds, and the world will be the better for your living in it, and men will "rise up and call you blessed."

This day is particularly appropriate to the exercises of these heavenly graces which pertain to human brotherhood as well as to christian deportment. It is a day of rest not of idleness, and should be pre-eminently distinguished by good works.