The Pulpit Speaks: March 3, 1956

An article written by my father, the Rev. C. Thomas Paige, as it appeared in the Tri-State Defender on the date shown.

Sometime ago, it was mine to learn that an old man in my community, when called upon to pray, would always introduce his prayer by saying, “O good Lord and good Devil…”

One day, he was brought into question concerning his queer salutation and he had this to say: “I don’t know into whose hands I will fall and I want to be on good sides with both.”

IS IT WORTH IT?

For a long time, the world was divided into two camps. There was the group whose chief concern was righteousness and then there was a group which was concerned with doing whatever was most rewarding. We can not go very far in books of history or the Bible before we run into knowledge that makes us definitely mindful of the high price tag placed upon righteousness. The man like Daniel who “purposed in his heart” that he would not do certain things pays a bitter price.

Sometimes in the name of doing what is right, we lose friends, we lose materials, we lose social advancements and we find ourselves in the midst of losing all the way around. Ofttimes we find ourselves asking the question, “Is it really worth it?” Sometimes we feel ourselves swaying toward those things that will bring us greater social prestige, a greater happiness, or a well-earned glory. Then, suddenly, a still, small voice within speaks to us and bids us to halt our pursuit of these things and try for things that will bring us the real joys of life.

Then there is a second group of people in our midst. This group concerns itself with worldly gains, social prestige, economic security and the like. To them, life is a spiritual-less and moral-less series of events. To them, life has no moral and spiritual obligations beyond that of doing all that can be done for personal gain. The world is far too full with these kind of people.

THE SECOND MILE

Recently a new group has poked its ugly head on the horizon. This group is examplified in the words of this man praying, “O good Lord and good Devil.” They may be rightfully described as people who are concerned wit doing that which is expedient. Life to them has become such a complicated affair that they are concerned with doing those things which, in the final analysis, will bring them the greatest joys and happiness minus the suffering and distress commonly associated with life.

They never concern themselves with “going against the grain.” They spend much time in the analysis of people and trying to do only those things that will bring joy and happiness for them and approval for the little worker. To these people, “going the second mile,” “giving the cloak, “sharing the worldly gains” and similar aspects of life above the normal load has no meaning whatsoever.

The world needs people who have found a real meaning in these things. Only when we find a deep-seated meaning in these things will life be worthwhile living. No, you can’t pray “O good Lord and good Devil.” You must take one as the ultimate good. It is not a matter of both, but a matter of which one.

ENDS AGAINST THE MIDDLE

The very fact that many of us have tried to play the ends of life against the middle has brought the world to its present state. Let us suppose that the world had been void of the noble heroes of the early church period or the heroes who have dared to do the unusual in medicine, science, aviation and the like. Many of us would still be living in a primitive state. But there has always been people who dared to go over and beyond that which is required. They did not stop to count the personal cost. They never stopped to think in terms of “what am I going to get out of it” but rather, “what am I going to put into it.” To them, life is not a matter of getting but a matter of giving.

The day has come for many of us, asking us in the final analysis, just where do we stand. The brave people of Mississippi, the noble men and women of Alabama, the convinced men of many areas in all generations have said, deep within themselves, that they have made up their minds. Today we must make up our minds. It is not a matter of “good Lord and good Devil.” It is a matter of attaching one’s self to those things that are right. With the help of God, do all you can for the cause of His kingdom.

Nothing short of that will suffice!