The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-11-06
JOYFUL RELIGION.

~-~FFJ SAAO Auey 0nN UhO HhvuOkO
Of the Christian.
1t Is a question Of the day whether
our world is happy or a miserable
world. The answer depends very much
on when and where the query finds US
Who OF us has not sometimes said:
"The world is all wrong and wretch
ed"P But it was when our own spirit
was full of evil and unrest There have
been days when we have said. 1.-THE
world is vale Of tears; there are in it
more s0bs than smiles" But that was
because our heart was aching, and our
eyes were blinded with tears. When
ever we escape from ourselves, and
with unjaundiced gaze look mother-na-
ture in the face, the world that looks
back on US is world where happiness
outweighs evil and pleasure conquers
pain. Were it otherwise the world
could not continue. Life would become
worn out, were misery, the procuress of
death, stronger than happiness, the
minister of life. There is, indeed,
enough Of decay, and pain. and strife,
and death. But these are not the sub
stance of existence. They are but the
shadow Of its sunlight. Spite the strug-
gle for. existence. the prevalent aspect
OF the world OF feet and fins and feath-
ers Is one not Of depression, but Of
alert enjoyment and vitality. And HUI
mainly burden Of centuries Of toll and
sorrow has not broken the spring Of
joy in the heart Of our race. for still at
its fountain-head, as it bursts eager
into existence. it sparkles and bubbles
with gladness in the mirth and laugh
ter and pure joy of living, OF early
childhood. The world is not vale OF
tears The gladness is more than the
sadness, and most of that is an acct
dent The face that looks at us out Of
nature in the song OF the birds, the
sweetness Of the air, the glow Of the
sunlight, is face Of joy. and its mes
sage to us is "Rejoicer'
The religion of Jesus is not reversal
OF natures ideal, but the fulfilment OF
its purpose thwarted by sin. The aim
of the Gospel is not to make men sad,
but glad. It takes up the command Of
nature, repeats and enforces it. Relig-
ion ought to be joy-giver. aye, JOY
heightener." Where nature said. IRE
joice!' Christianity says; Rejoice
evermore!' 1t takes the gladness of
life, and multiplies and transfgures its
radiance, like the sunlight that streams
through the painted panes OF a cathe-
dral window, till Its beams melt and
glow and flame into gold and crimson
glory. This effect Of religion is not a
remote and random accompaniment,
but a necessary and essential attribute.
The injunction of rejoicing Is not cold
permission or friendly counsel. but it
is high and peremptory command. It
stands in equal rank with prayer and
thanksgiving. and comes borne on the
solemn tones OF q voice that says: This
is the will OF God in Christ Jesus con-
corning you" 1t is not q thing you
may choose or eschew, it is purpose
of God, part of redemption. heart
desire of Jesus Christ, that your Chris
tian life should be pervasively and per-
sistently life Of rejoicing.
How much religion needs to be lit up
with joy! 1t is not enough to be good.
We must be good attractively. Piety
that is laborious. strained, respondent,
is like the air when it is empty of sun
shine. We want to fight the good fight
Of faith hopefully, Alphabetically. Is
that possible with the world SO per-
verse, with sin so strong within us, and
our hearts so weak and waywardP
Yes, in Christ it is the will of God
concerning you.-Prof. Elmslee, d. D.,
-. uy1.l.