The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-08-14
THE HIGHER CHRISTIAN LIFE.


If a believer has right to all the priv
ileges OF child of God, why should he
not enjoy them? Ii "Christ li7eth in
me-" then ought to be a live, cheerful,
athletic, and happy Christian. [ ought
to enjoy the open vision of Christ as my
teaching Prophet. my atoning Priest and
my conquering King. Surely ought to
be strengthened with all might in the in
ner man-to be filled with the Spirit, and
to rejoice with JOY unspeakable and full
of glory.
How many of all the members of
Christian Churches are thus seeking the
things that are above, and living in the
?urer atmosphere of a constant fellow
ship with Jesus? Too many, we fear,
are content with the very least and low
est form of piety. They are barely alive.
Their names are on the Church register,
bnt they make but few entries i'll that
''record on high which contains the
well dones' of good and faithful ser
wants. Their spiritual pulse is feeble;
their appetite for the bread of life is
poor; their JOYS are meagre; their assur-
ance has dwindled down to about this
"Well, hope that | am a Christian for
think | was converted several years
ago" This is about like referring to the
list of Births in our old family Bible
to prove that we are alive. Such profess
sors have no muscle in their faith; no
experiences, no inspiration in their ex-
ample, no sunshine in their souls. Their
barometer, like that of steamer on the
banks of Newfoundland, indicates fall
ing weather. and plenty of floating ice
not far off. They hope that some time
or other they will make the harbor Of
heaven after a chilly, uncomfortable voy
age through the fogs Al this is better
than smashing into the wreck on the
lee shore of perdition, but it is no more
like Panrs LOG book in the eighth
chapter of Romans than the snails pace
of a cana! scow is like the splendid speed
of a White Star Steamer.
Such dead aud alive Christians need a
new resurrection. They want something
more than Easter music and flowers and
religious entertainment they must have
an Easter in tie soul. \ new baptism of
the Holy Ghost would make them new
beings. Gasping for breath is not living;
it is not pressing toward the goal of a
high calling it is not joy in the Holy
Ghost, nor is it slorifyi.g God in the
bearing of much fruit No little crude
nonsense has been said and sung about
the higher life" But the word of God
form of Christianity that the Apostles
preached and practiced. Jonathan Ed
wards goth fresh instalment of it when
he said, From that time began to have
a netc idea Of Christ, and of the work of
redemption" John Wesley had such a
spiritual Easter when he began to realize
that 1.-The law of the Spirit of life in
Christ Jesus made him free from the law
of sin and death Such higher life in
the hearts of all our Church members
would be revival that would echo in
heaven, and put IA new face on our Chris
tiality, and introduce new and tremen-
dous power for the conversion of a dead
world to God Nor for one festival Sab
bath would it last, but for years to come.
Risen with Christ, the Church would put
on the beautiful array of Holiness. AS
in Jerusalem on that memorable Lords
day, mel would come out of their graves
and be seen waiking about tie cit.. Why
shall not every one of us s.,tk this new
quickening? |. wnuli be Il fir, sh aud
unanswerahle manifestation of Christ to
all around us no indtl could deny or
deride if he actually Saw "Cirist living
i'll u.s. Tne risen Christ would reappaar
in risen Church.