Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-11-02
Sunday.SchoOl Lessons.
FOURTH QUARTER.
The Force OF Christian Example.

A holy life is an example of what
Christianity can do for men which
sufficiently proves its Divinity. There
is an inherent and silent power for good
over others in a godly example which
not only convinces them of the truth of
Christianity, but is more potent than
anything else. save the omnipotent
Spirit, in leading them to Christ. So
great is this power that many man
has been won to Christ by simply .see-
ing the good works of one who has
never spoken word to him. Often,
where oral preaching of the Gospel and
personal entreaty, rehuke and exhorta-
ton have failed, Christians have been
instrumental in retaining men by liv-
ing the Gospel, by the subtle, silent, at
tractive influence of holy example.
Because of the inherent power of ex-
ample, Christ said: ''Let your light so
shine before men that they may see
your good works." not hear your good
words merely, and ''glorify your Father
who is in Heaven"
No class of men are more closely
watched, or more exposed to public
scrutiny, than protesting Christians.
They are known and read of all men.
They are as cityse upon hill, which
can not be hid. They are the represent
ativcs of Christ on earth. Their con-
| duct, and not their professions, shape
irreligious mems opinions of the Chris
tan religion. 1t is their high calling to
show by their example the excellence,
the divinity, the saving power of Chris
| tI1nifU Az ntati nf Christ
they must be Christlike; must have the
mind, the spirit that was in Him. 1t is
the character of Christ in Christians that
is to evangelize the world. This is the
meaning of His declaration: "And /, if
| be lifted up from the earth, will draw
all men unto Me" 1t is Christ in you,
the hope of glory purifying the heart
and the life, and shining out in godly
example, that attracts men to Him.
Without this all other agencies for the
worlds redemption are inefficient. Ev-
cry man by his example eXerts an infiu-
ence for the veal or woe of his fellow
men. This influence may be uncon-
sciously eXerted, yet it is none the less
real and efficient. 1t does not cease with
the life of the one who originates it, nor
is it limited to his immediate circle of
friends, but is as wide as humanity, and
continues to be factor among the moral
! forces of the world long after his name
is forgotten. II these things are so; if
the influence of example is so wide and
enduring; and if Christian example is
so important that upon it depends the
salvation of men. "what manner of
persons ought we TO be in all holy con-
versation and godliness?" We are in
daily contact with people whose eternal
destiny, whether of happiness or mis-
cry, may be determined by our example;
for the influence of bad example is as
powerful and lasting as that of good
one. They may be of our own house
hold whose eternal future may be less
blessed or positively miserable in con-
sequence of an evil example. How great.
then, is our responsibility! The apoch-
ryphal Gospel of st. Bartholomew con-
tains this text: eff the neighbor of an
elect person sin, half the guilt of the sin
belongs to the elect person, for if he
had displayed before him the beauty of
holiness he would not have sinned."
Elf, says commentator on this text,
! "we could but thoroughly reflect the
purity and excellence that belongs to
The Christian character. we should be
rs suns in the sky of moral night. The
light of Christ's life in us would then SO
shine forth that all men, seeing it, would
be led to glorify God. IN. w. Chris
Ian AdU0cGte.