The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-12-23
SURPRISING BEAUTY.

SURPRISING BEAUTY.
The Admirable Qualities OF a Consistent
Christian Life Shine Forth as the Noon
Day Sun.
In describing the course of those
whose lives are conformed to the will
of God, an inspired writer employs the
figure of the rising sun, the dawning
light of which brightens into the glow
ing radiance of its MONDAY splendor.
1t is striking and suggestive image
that is introduced to represent the way
to Heaven, when Divine Wisdom de-
clares that 1.-THE path of the just is as
the shining light that shineth more
and more unto the perfect day." Here
is the idea of beauty. Nothing is more
beautiful than the rising sun. 1t SUR
passes in splendor all that we behold in
nature. Its significance is unrivaled
Dr. Hayes, the celebrated Arctic ex-
plorer, graphically describes the rising
of the sun, after the long night of the
polar region, representing the golden
flush as deepening until the burning
forehead of the liking of day" rises
above the horizon to shine for the long
day OF those northern ATTITUDES The
unspeakable delight with which it's
morning glory is hailed. he says, almost
makes one cease to wonder that the sun
has had devout worshipers.
As we behold the rising sun, it is ever
to us the most gladdening of sights.
Its majestic coming is proudly heralded
by the inimitable tinging Of the depart
ing clouds with ruddy hues overspread-
ing them with gorgeous beauties. Com
ing grandly up to delightful view, it
brightly gilds the mountainous. and
gayly decks the tips of the waving trees.
Maintaining a short conflict with lin
gering darkness, it's victorious light
soon disperses all the remaining shades
of conquered night, and fills the whole
rejoicing hemisphere with food of RAJ
dance. Of all that is beautiful, this
sight is unsurpassed in nature.
Such is the emblem of the godly
mans course presented in words by in.
spiration given. That course is as the
shining light of the rising sun. There is
nothing to be seen, in this world, so
beautiful as the consistent walk of those
possessing true goodness The path OF
all who walk with God is the brightest
path on earth. A heavenly light illu
mines the better than an earthly way,
adjoining the character and conduct OF
those pursuingit. In having communion
with God they acquire what the apostle
denominates "the fruit of the Spirit u
which includes "love, joy, longsuffer
ing, gentleness, goodness, faith, meek
ness temperance. In them, as the
godly, is seen 1.-THE simplicity which is
in Christ" and the teachable OF
spirit which characterizes little child
possessing, as they do that childlikenes.
which is declared to be essential tc
entering the Kingdom OF Heaven. Low
illness of mind, such as enters into true
humility, together with sweetness OF
temper, amiableness of disposition ant
devotedness of love, as we'll as sym
pathy, generosity and friendliness, be-
longing as they do to Christian excel
lence-these all shine more or less
brightly in their lives as superior graces
Of true piety. constituting the brightest
ornaments with which mortals are ever
arrayed.
Well might the Psalmist speak of the
''beauties of holiness" and pray: "Let
the beauty of the Lord our God be upon
u.s." In holiness and godliness. there
is all surprising beauty. Everything
else that is beautiful is eclipsed there
by. True piety is the most beautiful
thing in the world. OF all the beauty
which surrounds us in world of beauty
where nature and art combine to deligh,
the eye in the beautiful revealed in the
works of God, and the works of men,
there is no beauty so striking and
attractive as moral beauty. Piety OF
aeart and life, spiritual-mindedness self
abasement, self-denial and self-forget.
fulness give beauty to the way chosen
by those who love and serve God, such
as is developed nowhere else. This Is
the celestial adjoining which can not fail
to command the admiration of all be-
holders. All who possess and properly
exhibit this moral beauty are therein
representatives of God and Christ and
Heaven, and of all that is godly and
heavenly. Thus they are most true tc
their highest obligations.
Concerning this highest'description o.
beauty, it has been fitly said by c. p
Cranch.
Labor in the path of duty.
Cleaned up like thing of beauty;
Beauty shown in self denial,
In the sternsst hour of trial;
In meek obedience
To the will of Providence;
In the lofty sympathics
That forgetting selfish ease,
Prompted scts that sought the good
OF ev'ry spirit; understood
The wants of ev ry human heart;
Eager TO impart
Blessings to tte weary soul
That hath felt the bitter worlds control
Here is beauty felt, such rs ne'er
Net the eye OF charmed the ear.
In the souls high duties, then felt
That the Hottest beauty ever dwelt.