Materialism, the Outstanding Sign of Our Times. 

"There is no fear of God before their eyes."  Romans 3:18.

What is materialism? It is the tendency to have undue regard for material interests, that is, for the things of this world. Mate­ rialism refuses to wait and hope for happiness and bliss in the world to come; it demands heaven here on earth. Our materialistic age desires a savior who is to give them plenty to eat; a savior, not for heaven, but for the earth. This materialism, this commer­ cialism, is the prevailing and predominating characteristic of our times.

It is a question whether in the history of the world these mat­ ters have ever bulged out so large as at the present and in our own country. Gaining as much as possible of this earth’s goods has become like a whirlpool which draws everything into its devouring current. Money stands for the standard of efficiency and worth and influence among men, so that all are scrambling for it. Show a man a material advantage which he may secure, often at the

sacrifice of honesty and principle, and he will be your friend. Now, with men’s minds thus set, it is but a natural consequence that it should affect their hearts and endanger their spiritual lives. They become less earnest in the things of the Lord, less devout as church- members, less regular in attending the public services. Business responsibilities increase; they say they have no time to go to church; they neglect the eternal interests of their immortal souls, and there is no neglect as shameful as this. Neglect your health, and you will soon suffer; neglect your soul, and you will perish forever. That is the sin of many thousands in our day.

A man lay asleep in a boat on the Niagara River, when, sud­ denly, he heard the waters thundering down the mighty cataract. He seized a paddle and plied it against the current. It was too late. He went over into certain death. Thus many are sleeping, when, suddenly, they will hear, “Thy soul is required of thee now!”

Prayer.

Help us, good Lord and God, that we may not set our hearts upon things temporal, but that we may with true faith, love, and patience wait for the life to come. O Lord, this world passes away, and all its glory is transient. Besides, our stay in this world lasts but a few days, and these pass by more rapidly than the water cur­ rent. O lead us on the way to heaven, to Thy glory, where we shall be with Thee forever. Amen.