Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1890-02-14
MIRRORS WANTED.

A recent writer says, "What the world
needs is more mirrors that adequately re-
fleet the character of Christ" These words
occtr at the end of Il talk on sanctiiication,
in which he shows that that quality is not
to he sought by striving to eradicate single
sins one by one, nor by attempting to copy
the details of Christ's character bit by bit,
nor by any method which is mechanical.
The lapse OF time will not bring this quality:
There is no salvation in time.'" We are
to he sanctitied by getting near to Christ,
studying His character, absorbing His life
Make Christ your most constant compan-
ion, and then, rejecting IN a mirror His char
acier, you will be changed into His image"
This is the true idea of santification. 1t is
the becoming Christ-like. OF course the
more like his Master one is. the more nearly
has he approached to complete sanctifica-
ton. When we put the mat or in this wav,
moreover, this very desirable quality seems
more possible Of attainment than when we
regard it from some other points of view
Keep up life Of constant striving to be bet
teri 1t IS possible. of course, but not easy.
1t calls for heroic resolution which most of
us find very hard to maintain, especially
when the results, somehow, do not seem to
be Mt all proportionate to the endeavor
Shall we then endeayor to initiate now this
element in our Lords character and now
that But that is fragmentary in its results
it will give certain good things, but it will
not yield symmetrical character, it will not
result in homogeneous whole.
But we can put ourselves into communion
with Christ. We can make Him q compan-
ion. We can get close to Him. Suppose
one seeks every morning, before beginning
the labors OF the day, season alone with
Christ. 1t need not be long and of course
II it is perfunctory it will amount to MOTH
ing. But two or three or five minutes of re-
tirement face to face with the Lord. the
world shut out-what new views will be
given to the soul, what assurances OF
strength, what ideas of duty, what renewed
conservation, what consciousness of the di.
vine friendship! No Christian can dare to
say that he cannot find the few minutes that
Will bring to them these blessings that are
beyond compare. A few daily minutes of
intercourse with Christ if more cannot be
had, may give color to the whole day, and
like Christ his Lord.
Such piety is hearty. There is the force
of real life in 1t. 1t is not q thing of times
and seasons, nor of forms and ceremonies
1t is not cold and lifeless, but warm and ex-
uberant. 1t IS rich and full, and so men
catch its enthusiasm, and some, Mt least,
are borne along on its strong tide who
would never be moved by pity that was
upon tho surface and took no hold upon the
springs of life. 1t is the great heart of
Christ beating in His follow ers, and it must
make its power felt.
And this picty that is derived from this
daily communion with Christis continuous
It is not subject to fluctuations; It is not
ley the next. Daily communion with
ChristI-then daily the heart will be warmed
and cheered by His presence,its fears will be
removed, its hopes will be expanded, its
faith will be confirmed, and will all the
There may come to it special seasons Of re.
freshing, but it will know few seasons OF
GOODNESS and deafness. It will ali time pro-
claim Christ. How quickly, how surely, the
glad tidings would be spread did only every
mirror of his life the bright shining of the
Sun of Righteousnessl--An,er Messeager