Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1881-01-29

Spiritual Warfare,

In theso days, when tho great majority Of
newspapers arc compelled to usa nearly all
thcir space for poltical neWs. in order to cater
to popular tasto, az article like the following,
from the editorials columns Of tho Philadelphia
Record, will, no doubt. DO acceptable:
There is something inexpressibIy sweet and
gracious 10 tho Christian doctrine Of holiness
which distinguishes it from all the other rel.
gions of tho world. The doctrine seems to be
acoordant, too, With sound ethics and With q
rational aud humane philosophy. 10 the
scheme Of the great Galilean the conflict, the
heroism, the fortiude, the invircible aspiration
and the sublime and steadfast patience through
which the soul overcomcs at last the evil that
is within it aud without it, coming finally to
that mightiest OF victories tho conquest of ones
oTn spirit, ere tho dlvinely appointed means
for developing tho highest style of character.
Holiness is far Dobler spiritual state than in-
ncconce. The purity that has never been tiled
in tho alombio of temptation is negative and
doubtful, Within it may lie Infinite possibili-
ties of wickedness and sorrow. The ultimate
outcome of it 20 oao can toretell. Instead of
being the tiGst etep in on ascending stairway to
the celestial heights, it may be but tho fair and
lowery entrance to o down way, ending in
tuo apysS iIuiu Wnlou tueIe ID 10 Tetu[us
Although the theolo2lsns may not teach it,
there would seem to be ministry otsip, as
there confessedly is Of suffering. We are taught
that thero arc uses in adversely, and that
troubles, reVerses and athlctlons may be helps
rather than hindrances in the religious life. 30
also may we recognize the compensation of q
kindly efficacy in the lapaes into wrongdoing
from which no man or woman born is sree
Those are doubtless part of the divine Of dis.
cpline Were it not for the occasional trans
gressions even of tho boet of us the world would
be full of Phsrsaic pride. The agency of sin,
in the humility and penitence it brings to US. in
the sentiment Of charity toward others which it
lnculca:os, and In tho sense of dependence upon
higher than tinito power for the self mastery
we strive tor, Is. rightly viewed, one of the
gramme Of tho Providential dealing with hu.
msnity. Herein the Christian philosophy goes
for toward solution Of the hard problem of the
origin OF evil and it's final cause or purpose in the
explain this tremendous fsc!-ths physical and
psychical paradol-which has stletisntlyconfront.
cd the motsphy Eicans and e.hicists OF all ages.
1t IS the CREST apostle 10 the nations who de.
Jared that sin abounds that graca may tho more
sbound. Wore tho innocence of the babe or of
the brute tho permanent state Of man, human
character would lack its most magnificent e1.
emplars. Without tho warfare there would be
no heroes. Tho glory Of our race is its possession
OF what Epictetus calls the approving and dis
approving laculty. conscience is the source
of mortal distinctions and the discerner between
coed and evil, If wo had not this endowment
Gin would be impossible indeed; but on the
other hand. that ceaseless and eager quest of
virtue, which appears ss a 80 poten. folc, in
history-and without which progress and civil
IL stion would have remained unrealize zed-could
never have inspired mankind. Men are not and
cannot become angels; but they who at the end
shall have como up amidst much tribula.ion,
having fought the good fght-no matter how
often or how sorely thoy N ay havo fallen by the
way, koeping steadfastly tho faith-shal be
higher than the angels. for thoy shall be mum.
bored with tho saints cfGod in the glory that is
everlasting"