Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-02-21
RELIGIOUS

Encouragement is not n fr:it Of humil-
ity but OF pride.-Fcneion.
II is not death that makes the martyr,
but the cause.-Canon Dale.
None but the guilty can be long and
completely miserable Goldsmith.
know of nothing to give unfailing
moral energy to the mind but living
faith in Being OF initiate PROJECTIONS,
and who is always with Us TO aid.
strengthen, reward. reprove. chasten and
guide to immortality.-W. T.. Claiming.
Jesus taught that there must be unity
rs very hope of life. Whether in Gods
service or in the Devils, discord and
division will inevitably work ruin. No
two persons can either arrive at the
truth or accomplish any common work
so long rs they stand over against one
another and pull apart. A forgetfulness
OF this truth destroys more friendships
and paralyzes more endeavors than nj
most any other mistake among men.
Our enjoyment in the truths and the
duties and the privileges OF the Christian
life is made dependent. in the plan of
God, on our making use Of then for
others. II is in our praying and trusting
for some one else. that we find the full
est gain of prayer and faith for ourselves.
We get a new hold on every Bible prom
Use or inspired word of cheer that we
press on our needy fellows. A good
teacher is sure of gaining knowledge
through his efforts at giving knowledge,
whether his scholars are the gamers or
not. He will help himself in his very
trying to help them. 1t is only when
our religious activities are in generous
self.iorgetfulness, that we experience
their highest personal benefits.
As TO serving the Lord with cold
hearts and drowsy souls. there has been
too much OF it; and it causes religion to
wither. Men ride stays when they hunt
for gain, and snail when they are on the
road Ia heaven. Preachers 90 on see
saving, droning and pressing. and the
people fall TO yawning and folding their
arms, and then say God is withholding
his blessing. Every sluggard, when he
finds himself enlisted in the ragged rcgl-
ment. blames his luck, and some church.
cs have learned the same wicked trick.
| believe that when Paul plants and
Apollos waters, God gives the increase:
and have no patience with those who
throw the blame on God when it be-
longs To themselves-C II. SpHrgeon.
Our lite. beginning rs it does at our
spiritual passover, and at our feeding
upon Christ, we ought always TO regard
our conversion rs "A festival, and remem-
Der it with praise Whenever We look
back upon it, the memory of it should
excite delight in our hearts. Suppose
you and never had single mercy eX-
cept this one, that we were made the
children of God and co-heirs with Christ
Jesus.-suppcse we had nothing else to
enjoy! We ought to sing about that
alone forever and ever Ay. il we were
sick. cast on the bed of pain with hun
dred diseases. with the bone wearing
through the skin. yet since Gods ever
lasting mercy will sanctify every pain
and every ailliction, should we not still
continue To lift up hap. y psalms to God,
and praise him forever and ever? There
fore. he that your watchword all through
the year, -"Hallelujah, praise We the
Lordr'
A common idea is that preachers are
evanpelists, and that their business Is
to proclaim merely the first truths OF
Christianity; their one function. to use
common expression, is to convert men.
In certain sense this is true; but it is
only half-truth. The distinctive ard
all-inclusive aim of Christianity is lot
merely to save men from penalty, but TO
save them in the broadest sense, by
bringing out the image of God; and to
build up man by drawing out every con-
ceivable endowment OF his nature. and
making him rounded, symmetrical and
harmonious man. The minister must
instruct. build up and prepare the. peo-
pie under his charge, and practically IL
lus.rate Christianity. The world is not
what it was when Christ was first intro
duced. The first principles are not alone
to be preached. Congregations are now
lifted up on - higher plane of human OBJ
servation. 1t is not so much knowledge
that they need as to make that knowl-
edge practical. How sadly has the pull
pit lost sight of the fact that it is their
duty to bring men into obedience to.the
moral law