The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-17


Phil. 40.
The Christians at Philippi were among
the most faithful of all those to whom Paul
wrote, and yet they had their weakness,
temptations, and trials. Prosecuted and
poor, they were subject to encouragement
and discomfort. 1t was to cheer them in
their troubles and to help them to more
joyful trust, and he penned this particular
portion of his letter. 1t was to let them
into the secret Of Christian serenity, even in
the midst of hardships and trials.
And note in general how he assumes that
true peace, however it comes, comes or God.
He is its source. Without his smiling pres.
ence we shall find it in no place and by no
means. This comes out very distinctly in
the seventh and ninth verses. The peace
OF God shall keep your minds and hearts,"
And the God of peace shall be with you"
The Apostle speaks as If all good were
summed up In that.
l Make it a principle, and have it as a
rule, always to rejoice (47). "ReJoice al
way again / will say, rejoice" That is TO
say, you can rejoice, and you ought 10 re-
joice, and you ought to do 1t always; You
have abundant reason for 30 doing, and
therefore it is your privilege and your duty.
Do not 60 about with downcast face; look
mp! Do not forever brood over your tron-
bier.
But here comes q caution. There are
DIS of rejoicing which are shallow and
hollow, and kinds which are sinful. There
fore, he says, see that your joys are such as
become Christian disciples. Find your
happiness in activities, comprehensive.
treasures and hopes ne approves. Re- DICE
in the Lord"-the Lord Jesus.
Paul knew very we'll that this is not al
ways easy. He anticipated the objection
sure to ariss in the minds of these Philip.
plan disciples. They would say, How can
we rejoice2 We are persecutsd, aud We are
poor" The fifth and sixth verses are a n
answer to these objections. CAY Are you
presented? Do others treat you ill9 What
then? Will you be downcast and over
whelmed with sorrow? There Is better
way. namely, that of patient trust. Your
Savior, Defender, Rewarder is not far Of;
he is now near; in due time here or hereaf.
ter he will interpose for you. Therefore
Let your moderation, your patience be
known unto all men the Lord is ut hand I"
| (b) But they were also poor, and so he goes
on 10 counsel them with respect to this trial.
"Ey en- poverty should not burden you with
{ care. God knows your want, aad he is grs-
cious snd rich, and you can trust him to do
| what is best, therefore, In nothing be anx-
ious.' Garry your want to God, Tell him
| youI needs and fears. Do this with thanks
gtyiDfs. DO it in everything. Pray and
| trnst.n
Is not here grand secret? 1.-The Lord
is at hand" The Lord will provide" He
who cherishes such trust will find the
pssseth all understanding shall Keep your
| hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"
| 2. Give place in thought and deed only to
things holy and good Is, 81. FINALLY, what
soever things are true, honorable. just and
pure, whatsoever things are lovely and of
| good report, think on these things; these
things do"
1t may be doubted if many readers OF this
| chapter have observed that the Apostle lie
still enforcing the,secretof Christian serenity.
| But that such is the fact is made evident by
the conclusion to which he hers again comes:
Thus think and do, land the God of peace
shall be with YOU"
The Argument Is that with such thoughts
and pursuits, we have the comforting sense
of Gods presence and his presence in reality.
| And so conscience is at rest from the tortur
| ing sense OF wrong, ane from the distressing
apprehension that God is against Us, we are
| free. Then, in Gods smile there is light.
| Bot that 10 not all. How few persons seem
ever to consider that by our thoughts and
moral conduct we make the world in which
We live. It is thus that we ourselves fill it
| with darkness or light. He who thinks OF
things true, honorable, just pure, lovely and
of good report, and who does such deeds,
| dwells in quite another world from that of
one of other thoughts and pursuits. He is In
q region above ordinary cares and troubles.
| What if the world does frown? What il pow
sriy does pinch? Our real world, our cher
isbed treasures, are elsewhere.
/ But we should not fail to note certain in
terestipg and important distinction in the
things here commended as objects OF thought
tod nd
The contrast is striking. On the one side
there are Whatsoever things are true, hon.
orxbIe, inst aud pure" on tbs other side
Whatsoever things are lovely and of good
| report" Here ere the virtues" and there
are the praises" Here is strength, and
there 10 beauty. And what is said is
that We are to think of both,
ar put both into action. We are not to
cultivate either side of thought and charac-
ter without the ether. The virtues" alone
| would give strength and steadfastness, bat
without the grace which wins. The 'prises"
alone might please at first but would a.
length appear weak. worthless, contemplate.
And 20 we are to think first OF the virtues
but are not 10 forget the praises. "a Chris
tian should be like tree which has first it,
firm root and upright STEM and then also Its
spreading branches and waving twigs, which
yield to the breeze and salute the gentlesi
movements of the surrounding air." And
| llgnL tulukluS duu uOluS Will III ~ Ouiy tcbu
to ensure serenity, but will also help to form
such character.
5. Learn to trust the wisdom and grace
which have appointed our earthly lot 10 l3(
From exhortation the Apostle now passes TO
personal experience. The Philippian Chris
tisns had just renewed their former kind
pesses by fresh ministries to his need. He
than ks them for it. Ii eladdens his heart.
But, then. be goes on TO add that he should
not have been distressed without it. For"
he sage. Il kave learned in whatsoever state
am, therein 10 be content" He will &C
cept whatever lot of good or i'll God may ap.
point, and still trust and rejoice.
Do not fail to notice the true meaning OF
conten mept 1t is rot to be sluggishly sat
isfied with what We have and are. That Is
| M oh risiiau yirfue C0ntentmeut means