The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-02-25
TRUE GREATNESS.

THE WORLDLY ESTIMATE.-When JE-
sus perceived the selfish ambition and ieal-
Gus anger of his disciples, he summoned them
into his presence and proceeded to inform
them of the source and conditions of true
greatness, by contrasting the estimate of
greatness in the kingdom of heaven with
what prevails in the kingdoms of the world.
In political kingdoms the sovereign exercises
dominion over his princes, and they in turn
domineer their subjects. The great are in
authority, and the greater the authority the
higher the position and honor. This is the
worldly spirit and worldly estimate of great
ness. 1t is a Gentle spirit in contrast with
the true ideal Jewish spirit. Those who rule
in tho spirit of this world lord it over men for
their own glory and aggrandizement The
GENTLE spirit is still dominant in the world;
it actuates kings who claim to reign by divine
right for their own glory; it sways the ambi-
tious politicians who claim the rewards of
Office for partisan service; it is uppermost in
every department where people are covetous
of outward praise and envious OF the honors
or favors they behold others receive. But
the heavenly spirit is different.
THE DIVINE ESTIMATE.-The worldly
spirit does not prevail in the kingdom of
heaven. Among the disciples whose mission
it should be TO promote the kingdom of GoD
among men, the selfish ambitions of worldly
rulers must not be cherished. The truly
great are not those who are served, but those
who minister and serve. According to the
Divine estimate, in the moral and spiritual
sphere of influence and power, to be most
serviceable is the greatest distinction and
glory Ambition for self, the desire for
honor and place, is ruinous to the individual
and to society. So far as the church itself
seeks to be ministered unto rather than to
serve, it is false to its mission in the world.
There is an ambition for position and inhu-
ence that is laudable and Christian, when
they are sought to be employed for the good
of society and the world. When one seeks
high places to perform high duties, and gains
them by faithful service he becomes truly
great. The truly and permanently great in
the worlds history are SO esteemed because
of their great and distinguished services t
mankind. If the high places in the church
or in the nation are attractive to any one, let
him know that the only right way to their
achievement is through humble and faithful
service; indeed, through such an unselfish
desire to serve that the place will be but a
secondary consideration. AS rule in a
Christian community the Office will seek the
man, and not the man the Office.
THE EXAMPLE OF JEsUs.-JEsUs exem-
plified in his life the principles of his king
dom. He came not to be ministered unto
but to minister. He went about doing good.
He served others, himself he did not serve;
but others, he rendered for himself the
highest kind of service. The whole life
of CHRIST is an example of greatness at
tanned through humble service. Having
humbled himself to be the servant of man.
kind, and losing his life in obedient service,
he has gained title that is above all titles
Lord of ALL" which all in heaven and earth
must finally acknowledge. He gave his one
life ransom for the many whom he served.
A ransom was the price paid to redeem a
slave or captive. 1t was employed as a fig
ure by JESUS to describe his work of re-
demption. He gave his life in loving service
to redeem mankind from selfishness, the
root of sinfulness. "He gave himself ran
som for ALP Il Timothy ii. g.. "He tasted
death for every man." I" He gave himself
for us that he might redeem [ransoml us
from all iniquity." He died that they who
live might henceforth live not unto them
selves, but unto him who died for them. To
live unto CHRIST is to live a self-denying life
in the service of truth and righteousness.