The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-04-23

ldea of the moral greatness and excel
lence of Christ, and Of the greatness of
the redemption He secured for us, by
His sanctified death, that we will allow
nothing to stand between Him and US,
not even kindred and home. Just as in
the dark days of '61 good men, both
north and south. babe goodbye to
their homes, because of the superios
claims of that fatherland, which gave;
them their homes.
In other words, Christ wants for His
disciples only those, who have such an
intelligent enthusiasm for Him and His
cause that they cannot be turned aside
by the prosecuting sword, the CON-
Stunning fire, or the devouring lions. Let
US consider:
1.-The Need of this Enthusiasm in
the Christian Life.
1.-THE Reasons why Christians
should be Enthusiastic.
IIl.-The Way by which this Enthu-
sissm is to be Secured.
The word Enthusiasm" is used in its
ordinary and worthy meaning to de-
note earnest interest in a cause.
l. 1t is needful in order that Chris
tians may secure for themselves the
great benefits of Christianity. What is,
Christianity Something far beyond
bowling the head in mere mental assent
to any creed, however noble. 1t is the
living OF grand life after the example
which Christ left US, involving these
three elements: answering love and
loyalty to God and His word under all
circumstances; earnest interest in the.
welfare Of man; and self-sacrihcing &C
tiVity to promote that welfare. Now,
no life can be successful without en-
thusiasm-blood earnestness. You
boys who play ball understand that.
You girls, striving to learn the noble
art of good housekeeping understand
that. The young man who is induced
to become q lawyer because of what
he has heard about the success of
Rufus Choate must remember that Mr..
Choate's wonderful success grew out Of
his wonderful enthusiasm in his pro-
fession, which he studied night and
day.
2. Enthusiasm is necessary to secure
the benefits of Christianity to others.
The interest of the outside world in
Christianity will be about in proportion
to the enthusiasm of Chritians. It was
the enthusiasm of Peter and John over
the power of the risen Savior. in heal
ing the lame man, which shook all
Jerusalem. The word holiness
in Acts ", Is, might well be translated
enthusiasm" 1t was the enthusiasm
of Christ's. apostles which conquered
the world and overthrow the iron en-
pire of theCasars.
1.-THE reason why every Christian
should have enthusiasm.
l. We ought to be enthusiastic Chris.
tians because of our Leader. Some
thing oble in US all which cannot be
brought to the front except under the
influence of good leadership. This is
often grandly illustrated both in civil
and military life. But Christ is the
only one who gathers into himself all
that moral beauty and excellence; all
that sympathy and moral fervor; all
that mighty strength and Woudrous
g-ntIeness which makes US cheer from
our Utmost souls whenever He rides
along the line.
2. We ouaht to be enthusiastic
Christians, because of the greatness of
our cause, many causes worthy
our enthusiasm, bur the Christian cause
rises easily above al. because it has the
greatest issues at stake. 1t appeals to
the Hottest motives; it affects the well
fare of the whole earth.
8. Because OF the sure triumph of the
ClrlSIlau Causo' 4uo AnOutA v! In0
Lord hath spoken it, that the king
doms of this world shall ultin ately re-
pose in peace and harmony under the
gospel banner.
How is this enthusiasm to be OBJ
tanned?
III. Not by resolving it is a good
thing. We can never secure it in that
way.
l. We must study the gospel and
epistles until we get a clear conception
of the greatness of our Leader.
2. Must secure clear conception OF
the great purpose of Christianity in the
world.
8. Must keep informed about what
the gospel is doing on the earth.
4. Get clearly in mind what it has
done for US personally.