RELIGION IN BUSINESS.

Auckland Star, Issue 66, 19 March 1900, Page 2

RELIGION IN BUSINESS.

The Rev. W. Day commenced last evening a series of addresses on the principle of Christ as applied to everyday life. He drew his text from Matt. vii. 12: "All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." The preacher during the course of his sermon said: There are four spheres in which the power of religion may be chiefly displayed—the individual heart, the home, tbe church, and the world. In each sphere religion is severely tested, for in each great demands are made upon it, and strong forces are arrayed against it. If a man be sincere he will -oon discover the value of religion in his own secret life, and its value will also appear in his home, in his church, and in that wider world into which he outers every day. Perhaps the greatest test of religion is brought to bear in the atjtual working world. Religion may be a joy in the heart; it may be a beautiful, blessed thing iv the sanctuary; but can it stand the wear and tear of life? can it survive contact with the every-day, busy world? If it cannot, if it be a sickly plant which can only live under hothouse treatment, the religion is worth very little. But if it be true, if it be of God, it will prove most gloriously strong where it is most tested and most needed.

1 have had a taste of business life myself, and know the peculiar difficulties and temptations encountered in business by Christian men. But I say this our religion will not break down in any sphere, it will carry us triumphantly through, if only we have enough of it. It is never Christ that fails, but only Christ's poor disciple. Christ would have us purify the sphere in which God has placed us. "Ye are the light of the world; ye aro the salt of the earth." "Yes/ you say, "so I am on Sundays, or whenever I can find time for Christian effort." Christ means nothing of the' kind. In your business you are to be.salt and lights —purifying as salt purifies, serving by shining, as light serves. Your workshop ought to be morally the cleaner, because you, a Christian man, labour there, You ought by God's grace to take some sacredness into your office, my Christian brother. If our right hand touches God's, ours will be a kind hand, a helpful, shielding- hand, the hand of- a brother—a hand like Christ's. Do you want to make drudgery divine? Then work in Christ's spirit. As you toil, get your eyes off self by caring for others. Redeem your business, make it a high and holy vocation, a sacred profession, a sacred calling, by enjoying in its busiest hours lite presence of Christ.

Oue thing more. Christ as a worker felt that prayer was a necessity. He prefaced all the more important acts of His life by prayer, even as by prayer He prefaced all His days. Was that necessary for Him? How much more necessary for us!

Said a business man: "1 work hard, fare hard, and yet I do not thrive." 'Add one thing- more," said a friend; "pray hard." My brother, your business is a subject you can take to God. Tell Him all about it; ask His blessing upon it. Sink yourself ,as Jesus did, to the Supreme Worker: "My Father, worketh hitherto, and I work."