Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-04-08
&eadiug fur the Sabbath.
CONDUCTED BY
REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
CHRISTIAN LOVE.

Iu one of the Sunday school publications,
Christian love, or charity, is represented ~
the figure one, and the other Christian graces
as ciphers, adding to the value of the figure
one, but nothing without it. This is simply
an arithmetical statement Of the assertion of
the Apostle, Though have the gift ofproph-
ecy, and understand all mystery and knowl-
edge, and, though have all faith, and have
not charity, I am naught." How different is
the estimate Of the Apostle from what pre-
walls now. Every Christian grace is prefer
red to Christian love. Every Christian quail
i6cation brings it's possessor more praise and
glory than Christian love- The Apostle Paul,
in commencing love, or charity, the most
highly, differed from the common judgment of
the Church now. But Paul does not differ
from Peter in this. As Paul places love
above faith and hope, so Peter makes it the
very crown of the Christian character, beyond
Christian manliness and patience and gedi.
ness the last and hardest to be obtained.
And observation confirms the statement of
the Apostle Christian love is the last grace
acquired by the believer, the fruit that rpens
last on the tree of grace
IF what has been said is true, adults need
to study the next Sabbath school lesson more
than children Christian love is less priced
and least possessed There are few churches
but would be benefited by series of sermons
on the thirteenth chapter of first Corinthians.
And the number of preachers capable of un-
folding its meaning in all its fullness and
completeness, is smaller than those who can
expound Paul's argument on justification by
faith alone, or his presentation Of the doctrine
of Gods election to life. And an exposition
of the doctrine of Christian love, however
able, would be generally less appreciated than
an exposition of other doctrines of our relig-
ion. Indeed, 40 low is love in the apprehen
sion of many, that the doctrine of Christian
love does not seem to most to be fundamen
tai doctrine of our faith. The thirteenth chap
ter of First Corinthians is to them beauti
fu poem rather than logical exposition of
Christian duty, incumbent upon all. Yet such
is its character.
The Apostle, in this chapter. first states
the absolute necessity Of this grace. With
out it all gifts and graces, eloquence, prophe-
cy, knowledge, faith, the benevolence of the
phlanthropist, the constancy of the martyr,
are nothing. Christian love is essential. He
who lacks it lacks everything. He who has
everything else and has it not, has nothing.
The Apostle supports this sweeping assertion
with thirteen reasons drawn from the fruits
or effects of Christian love, without which
true religion cannot exist. Christian love is
the mother of Christian patience and forbear.
ance and gentleness. 1t excludes envy and
jealousy. 1t forbids pride and ostenta-
ton. 1t prohibits self conceit and commands
modesty and humility. 1t requires the per.
formance of all that is seemly. 1t encourages
unsel6shness. 1t banishes resentment and
anger. 1t does not devise, imagine or i'm.
pute evil to others. 1t rejoices in righteous.
ness. 1t endures patiently the wrongs of
life and time. 1t does not suspiciously and
Indignantly surmise evil, but supposes good
intentions in others. 1t hopes even against
hope for others, and it hears up constantly
under troubles, trials and temptations. Who
that has these fruits of love will not be reck.
oned believer And who that has them not
will enter heaven, where they prevail in the
greatest abundance? As the tree falls so it
will lie. Character is not changed by the
dissolution Of the body. The evil are still
evil; the righteous righteous, and the holy
holy The unloving will he still unloving,
but heaven is the abode of love. Education
in Christian love is the best education for
heaven. And 80 the Apostle shows in the
latter part of the chapter that love is great
est because it lasts the longest Human
eloqrence will be lost amid the superhuman
gifts of angels, and human requirements in
knowledge will vanish as the light of can
die in the glare of the sun; as the boasted
achievements of the child are put away as
nothing worth by the man. Love is greater
than prophecies, tongues, knowledge, faith,
hope.
We think that the Christian battle is to
he fought with eloquence and tact and won
with perseverance and industry. The church
that has most Of these, the best preacher,
the most liberal and earnest members, will
be the most likely to succeed. But 1--WE do
not war after the flesh. for the weapons of
our warfare are not carnal." 1t is not by
great energy and industry alone that we are
to gain the victory-not by denuncation and
anger that We are to win and triumph over
evil. Our sword is the Bible Our defen-
sive armor consists of truth, righteousness,
the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, gentle
ness, meekness, patience, love. 1gnoble wea-
pons are these esteemed by many, incom-
petent to achieve great results but they are
mighty in our spiritual warfare to the pulling
down the strongholds Of Satan.