The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-01-14

sure that he forgot the things that were
behind"
l. In the very chapter from which the
text is taken we have his own declaration
that if any other man thought he had
aught whereof he might trust in the flesh.
he had more-and then follows his reca-
pitulation of the superior advantages he
possessed by lineage, early conservation.
and national distinction. But what
things were gain to me, those 1 counted
loss for Christ" And elsewhere he tells
us of his tolls and sacrifices. "In labors
more abundant, in stripes above measure,
IN prisons more frequent, in deaths oft "
Scourged, shipwrecked, in perils from
countrymen and foreigners, in the city,
in the wilderness, or the sea; in weari-
ness, in watching, in hunger and thirst,
in famine and cold and nakedness-what
a catalogue is here but the remembrance
OF these privations so patiently borne, of
these victorious agonies" so heroically
endured, nay even of his miraculous con-
version, his splendid missionary triumphs,
his transporting revelations, caught up to
heaven as he was and permitted to catch
some glimpse of its unutterable glories
and some strains of its celestial harmo-
mes-none of these grand memories of the
distinguishing honors conferred on him
or of his own transcendent services and
sacrifices tempted him to rely on his own
works and righteousness as the meritori-
Gus ground of his justification before God,
or to cherish one hope of eternal life
which was not based upon the foundation
in which Jesus Christ was the corner
stone. He forgot the things that were
behind in the sense that he would not
permit them to minister to spiritual pride.
He remembered them only to magnify
the grace which had counted him worthy
even to suffer in the cause of his Lord.
And so he sums up all by saying: al
count all things but loss for the excellen-
cy of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my
Lord, for whom | have suffered the loss
of all things, and do count them but dung
that may win Christ, and be found in
Him, not, having on my own righteous
ness which is Of the law, but that which
is through the faith of Christ"
2. He forgot the things that were be-
hind in the sense that he would/not per-
NIT the memory of past attainments to be
the measure of his future growth and use
fulness. There is almost pathos in the
words by which he expresses his convic-
ton of his own incompleteness. Coming
from such a man words indicative of a
humility so unaffected, touch our hearts.
Brethren, [ count not myself to have
apprehended. Not as though I had
already attained, either were already per
feet; but then he adds, that the mark
was before him, and he meant to press
toward it. What he had failed to achieve
in the past might be possiblein the future.
q Nor as though had already attained. ="
Here it is that 3Oe find ourselves. for once
in full sympathy with the Apostle l
say, for once, because the record of his
life might otherwise be discouraging one
to us. To us he seems to have attained, -
even at the time when he wrote this con
fession. Such was his gentleness, tender
ness, magnanimity, zeal, disinterestedness
and sympathy; he had been so long add
ggrace to grace, and strength to strength;
he had become so rich in experience, so
like tree planted by living waters upon
which dews had fallen and suns had shone
until its fruits were all ripe and sweet,
that when we compare our lives with his
we are ready to say, such man is no
mo lei for us, we need not think of at
tanning to such standard but when we
hear him say, Brethren, count not my
self to have apprehended, then we are
almost thankful, for the moment, that
Paul was no better than he was We
feel, at least, that he stands more nearly
on our level Some one has written an
essay on, Why we take pleasure in the
infrmities Of good men. One reason is
that while their plenitude of virtue NOR
titles us in contrast with our own lamen-
table lack, their defects seem to bring us
into kinship again by reminding us Of the
Brotherhood Of our imperfect humanity.
Not as though | had already attained,
either were already perfect" We are at
one with the Apostle there No, mere,
less like him, unless with him we can
also add but this one thing do, for
getting the things which are behind and,
reaching forth unto those things which
are before, press toward the mark -
The mark at which he aimed was con
fornity to Christ. The highest possible
ideal is likeness to Him who is "the alto
gether lovely" For this men are born
for this they are born again to this all
the economy Of Gods providence and
grace, in harmonious working, tends, and