254: MOXEY Aiq-D THE KIls^GDOM. 



haps more so. " The ministry of art widens with the 

 increasing refinement of the nervous organization. There 

 are those to whom the beautiful is, in an important sense, 

 a necessity. God loves the beautiful. Each flower 

 would yield its seed and perpetuate its kind as surely 

 if each blossom were not a smile of its Creator. The 

 stars would swing on in their silent, solemn march as 

 true to gravitation, if they did not glow like mighty 

 rubies and emeralds and sapphires. The clouds would 

 be as faithful carriers of the bounty of the sea, if God 

 did not paint their morning and evening glory from the 

 rainbow as his palette. Yes ; God loves the beautiful, 

 and intended we should love it ; but he does not have to 

 economize his power ; his resources are not limited. 

 When he spreads the sj^lendors of the rising East, it is not 

 at the cost of bread enough to feed ten thousand starving 

 souls. Art has an educational value in our homes and 

 schools and parks and galleries ; but how far may one 

 who recognizes his Christian stewardship) conscientiously 

 go in the encouragement of art and the gratification of 

 taste? If every man did his duty, gave according to 

 ability, there would be abundant provision for all Chris- 

 tian and philanthropic Avork, and substance left for the 

 patronage of art. But not one man in a hundred is doing 

 his duty; hence those who appreciate the necessities of 

 Christian AVork must fill the breach, and are not at liberty 

 to make expenditures which Avould otherAvise be Avholly 

 justifiable. Many expenditures are right abstractly 

 considered. That is, would be right in an ideal condition 

 of society. But the condition of the Avorld is not ideal ; 

 we are surrounded by circumstances which must be 

 recognized exactly as they are. Sin is abnormal, the 

 Avorld is out of joint ; and such facts lay on us obligations 

 which Avould not otherwise exist, make sacrifices neces- 

 sary Avhich would not otherwise be binding, forbid the 

 gratification of tastes which are natural, and might 

 otherwise be indulged. Thrice true is this of us who live 

 m this great national crisis and world emergency. It is 

 well to play the violin, but not AA^hen Rome is burning. 



