BUSINESS IS BUSINESS.

Western Star, Issue 347, 1 May 1880, Page 6

BUSINESS IS BUSINESS.

The Eev. J. Upton Davis gave the second of his course of lectures on Sunday evening last at Dunedin. The church was crowded to excess. The preacher took for his text 1 Thess. iv., 2. The following is a resume of the lecture : . Christ never censured the honest occupations of men. He Himself had wrought at the gates, windows, and ploughs needed by his neighbours at Nazareth, Matthew was a custom-house officer; John was joint proprietor of a fleet of fishing smacks; Paul was proud to support himself by weaving haircloth. Christ never forbade money-getting ; He taught that the laborer was worthy of his hire. But, as became the doctrine of one who made man perfect by controlling his whole life, He counted money but means to an end, and business but a part of life. And the double charge we make against the men who adopt “ Business is business ” as their motto, is that they ignore the social, domestic, and personal relations of business itself, and wholly exclude the claims of religion. 'Were this done solely at the cost of the delinquents alone, they might be left to their own folly ; but it is done to the injury of commerce at large, the deterioration of families, the stunting of their own growth, and the damage of religion. By getting and by spending they lay waste their powers. ' “ Business is Business.” Even in its widest sense this axiom, touching society, home, selfconfidt nee, and wealth, does not cover all our relations. The Sabbath was made for man ; not man for the Sabbath ;. so business was made for man, not man for business. You must not sink your mamhood in its pursuit, its objects, and occupations. This, is .often done to the

neglect of the highest interests of a man; his isolations to his Father in heaven and the future beyond the grave, Religion is religion. We are told in one of those inimitable stories of Eastern life, which abound in the words of Jesus, how a feast was made, friends were invited, but at the time they all with one accord began to make excuse. What were the excuses the in-, vited guests urged for their refusal? “ Business is business,” For one said, “X have bought a yoke of oxen and go to prove them,” He was making money. Another said, I have bought a section and am going to look at it.” He was investing his money, A third said, "I have married a wife and cannot come.” Well, he was spending his money, Is not that story' - true to-day ? The feast is in the home of Divine Love ; its pleasures are in the friendships of a Heavenly Father, and yet the getting, saving, and spending of money keep men from the marriage supper of the Lamb. Business is Business ” hustles out of life “Beligiou is Beligiou.” The truest manhood is not with those whose investments are large, whose transactions are worldwide, and whose wealth is enormous. It is with those who, whatever their business and their gains, love (rod supremely and their neighbors as themselves. The old sentence—“ The chief end of man is to glorify God, and enjoy Him for ever,” must not be forgotten though it is in a catechism. What glory can you reader Him, who by forgetfulness, indifference, enmity, and wrong-doing persistently leave Him out of all your calculations ? How can you. enjoy Him for ever who never begin (o delight ia His service and rejoice in His favor now ? But God’s own Son has come to reinstate yon in your right position as a child of Heaven. Take Him as your Bedeemer. Make Hiaa your Sovereign Guide. Money shall then take its proper place as an instrument of righteousness ; your own character shall be developed all round; your home shall be more delightful; commerce shall be expanded and purified ; while the vistas of eternity shall open broad, clear and beautiful to the glance of your peaceful trust in the Bedremer. For He that died, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God, has opened the gates of Heaven to every believer.