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

lIS lOMdIQ lue goal OF assimilation to
Christ, we are deceiving ourselves and
going to judgment with ga lie in our
right hand.
l once crossed the Warm Spring
Mountain" in the early morning The
sun was just rising. All the valley be-
tween the Blue Ridge and the Allegha-
mes was filled with silvery mist, level
at the surface as a sea-line. But above
the horizontal sea, three or four noun
tain peaks projected themselves like
islands dotting the expanse. Thus it is
with the memories of past sorrows. They
emerge from the sea which has swallowed
up so much else. We cannot forget our
early griefs and bereavements. But we
must not permit them to obliterate the
of present mercies. We
must hear the voice of the Master, say
ing, thy brother, thy sister, thy child
shall rise again. Remembered griefs are
prophetic of coming Joys. Forgetting the
things which are behind we press for
ward to the time when 1--WE shall be ever
with one another and with the Lord"
1t becomes now very interesting in
quiry to ascertain if possible, how the
Apostle would connect the past with the
future in the Christian life so as to make
both subservient to his everlasting adj
vantage. What is the 1,erbs between the
two? | answer, the connecting link be-
tween memory and hope is present dill
gence. We must derive from the very
errors and sins of the past, incentives to
Immediate and quickened activity. and
thus make both past and present auxil-.
larry to our future advancement. This
will give to the entire Christian life a
beautiful unity. All the stages of it will
then be joined in one harmonious and
continuous whole The inAexible pur-
pose to be Away doing our best, will be
like the strong and polished shaft of an
ocean steamer, connected at one end with
the engine which keeps it revolving, and
at the other unto the screw which pro
pels the boat.
l. We learn therefore that the Chris
tian life is something intensely earnest.
The very figure which is latent in the
text conveys this meaning. The refer
ence Is to one of the national games which
were celebrated with so much enthusiasm
in ancient times There is nothing low
or unworthy of the theme in this allu-
sion, as there would be were we to derive
an illustration from the vulgar competi-
lions Of modern male and female pedes-
TRANS or the brutal arena of the prize
fighter, for the pastimes of which Paul
spoke were instituted by the authority of
the State, and were participated in by
men of the highest distinction, who. when
victorious In the contest, were proud of
their leafy crowns as if they had been
honors won in the Senate chamber or on
the battlefield. The text suggests the
intense determination Of the runner, who
with eye fixed on the goal and with every
muscle strained to It's utmost tension.
pressed forward in the race, never look
ing back to see what might be behind
him, or around to catch the admirinp
gaze of spectators, but with concentrated
purpose bent every energy of mind and
body to the attachments Of single end
So says the Apostle, let us run the race
that IS set before us, keeping the incor-
ruptlble crown evermore in view.
q We learn that the law of the true
Christian life IS perpetual progress. Only
see in what variety Of ways this truth
is enforced in the holy Scriptures. 1t is
made obligatory by command. Dare anv
one rest contented with any measure Of
grace already possessed? No, the in
junction is, "gyolo in grace. Might not
one be satisfied with the acquisition of so
rich a treasure as faith? No, the REQUIRE
ment Is, add to your faith virtue, and to
virtue knowledge, and to knowledge tenn
Perance, and to temperance godliness. and
to goodness brotherly kindness, and to
brotherly kindness charity" 1t is en-
forced by promises" To him that hath
shall be given Then shall We know if
we follow on to know" ITO him that
overcometh will I grant to sit down with
me on my throne 1t is enforced bv
warnings" He that putteth his hand to
the plough and looks back is not fit for
the kingdom So too the impressive fig
ures and metaphors of Scripture illustrate
the necessity of perpetual progress. The
building rising from its foundation. the
body growing to its perfect stature. the
warfare to be waged till victory is won
these similitudes and multitudes like
them teach even more impressivelv than
didactic language, that what is worth
commencing is worth continuing, until
hnal completion is attained
This is true without regard to out
ward circumstances. Paul was in prison
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