The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1890-03-12

Written expressly for the GLOBE REPUBLICAN
HOLMES Is term used very loosely
BY some christians. 1t has reference to
purity of character. nprightness of life
spiritually as we'll rs outwardly; purity,
godliness. sinlessuess. In the latter
sense il ia applicable only to God. Yet
some christians with more zeal than
knowledge constantly misapply the term
holiness to themselves in this strained
sense. Holiness. first. consists in separa-
ton from sin. And this necessarily i'm
plies separation from sin in all ways
and from all kinds. We may not sin in
act but in word: We may not sin i'm act
or word. but sin in thought. We may
perform all Of the outward acts Of relig-
ion and christian service and leave some
inward state or condition unchanged.
thus SHINING by omission if not by COM
mission. To presume that we perform
every act of duty and privilege is to pre-
sumo that we are bordering very pearly
upon the wise. which is not well for
humble christians to presume. Besides
this, the claim implies perfection. sinless
perfection. What remains to be con-
quered? What remains to be vanquish-
ed if already perfect? Most of those
who claim ''perfection," appear no bet
ter. no truer. no more honest, no more
truthful than those who make no such
claims. Holiness consists in separation
from sin. A hatred of it. not sly love
of it in some of its forms. Such ha-
tired as makes one ''shun the very appear
ance of evil
HOLINESS is more than an outward life
of uprightness, and an inward state of
innOcense; it is a positive dedication to
the services of humanity and devotion
toward God. No one can love God and
not love his fellOw-man. The Apostle
John says: IF man say, love God.
and hateth his brother he is liar; for
he that lOveth not his brother whom he
hath seen, how can he love God whom
he hath not SEEM" This does not neces-
sarily mean brother, OF one of the
same family, but one in the great BROTH
erhood of man. Therefore. to love God
one must love his fellow man. This love
will manifest itself in various kinds of
service, always for the benefit of others
without attempting selfishly to promote
ones self to honor. Their devotion to
God, Christ and the church will blend
beautifully with this service for humanity,
and such christian is dedicated in the
highest sense to Gods service.
t++
THIS PRACTICAL HOLINESS also i'm
plies and necessitates change of char
acter. We become like what we love :;
what we think about, what we aspire to.
10 think about and love the noblest
character among men, we grow to be
like that character. If we think about
and love the low. the mean. the base, the
degraded we become like them. If we
associate with liars we become liars; if
we consort with thieves we become
thieves; if we make gamblers our COM
panions we become gamblers; if we
make drunkards our associates we be-
come drinkers and drunkards; if we
make the scOffers of religion our fellow
mates we become scOffers. SO on the
other side. if our associations, cOmpan-
ions, partners, fellow-mates are moral.
thoughtful. honest. truthful. loving. be-
lieving, true men and women, we grow to
be like them in those characteristics.
The christian who is following after
holiness" has a perfect pattern before
him. This perfection is no fancy, no
figment of imagination, no myth to
be ruled out by higher (:) criticism, but
a real, true, genuine man; one that calls
ont the souls possibilities. If humanity,
devotion, self-sacrifice are desired. here
they are in perfection. If faithfulness,
goodness, love are wanted, here they are
still above US with an invitation upward.
II love to God and love to man be the
goal, here is an ''elder brother who has
these attributes in infinite measure. So
the soul may seek higher attachments.
And faith and hope, with clearest vision,
Look beyond to fields Elysian.
And see love and JOY amending,
While in kindred spirits blending.
Ages now may roll away,
Bringing with them no decay.
Forever onward, upward, growing
Souls immortal still are going.
The one perfect type of holiness
and purity and love and sacrifice and
duty, toward which We may ever reach
and never absolutely attain. Jesus of
Nazareth, the Christ, the Goldman.
Seek to be like him.
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