St. Landry democrat., 1891-01-17
The World.


books to form quite library of itself Yet
it NAV briefly bs described as the dwelling
place of mankind. AS long as man lives
he is in the world When he dies, all that
really constituted the life takes flight to
another sphere. The Scriptures in one
place warn man against loving the world
or the things that are in the world, there
by indicating that it contains much to cap
tivate and enchain the affections. Again,
we read that Jesus Christ assures men that
in the world they shall have tribulation,
but goes on to add comfort by saying He
has overcome the world, showing that they,
too, can be overcome by his strength. In
another place men are eXhorted to keep
themselves unspotted from the world, and
still again the Scriptures affirm that the
wo:ld passeth away. Now here is strange
place Plainly place which is beautiful,
attractive, doubtless full of joys and lovely
things to please the eye and crafty the
senses. True enough, the world possesses
beauty, is attractive and lovely. And yet,
it contains also the opposite of al these
charms, for tribulation is a long, hard
word, very full of trouble, and the vitto-
rious assertion of the Savior that He has
overcome the world implies a need of
strength as there must be- conflict, strug
gle, and endurance brought to bear, in or
der to overcome so strong force as the
world. And the caution to keep unspotted
from the world, must mean that there is
much of tairt and contagicn to be dreaded
and avoided in this seemingly fair world.
And then the world passeth away" 1t
must be perishable place, destined at last
to be destroyed, SO nothing in it can be
abiding. 1t is just as described beauti-
full, alluring, full of tribulation, something
to be overcome. and to avoid pernicious
contact with, and something perishable it.
self at last. Yet there is need to exercise
care that the teachings and iniunctions of
the Bible be not misunderstood. The COM
mand not to love the world nor the things
that are in it, by no means teaches that the
beautiful works of God as seen in the world
are to be despised or unappreciated. Who
that looks abroad and sees the budding
spring ripen into summers bloom could
help experiencing happy glow, respons-
i've to natures renewing, And not only
the beautiful world of nature, but all the
wonderful achievements of art are things
to admire and enjoy. One Of our COM
mentators says: ITO love the world and
the things that are in the world, is to make
them our treasure, and put our trust in
Lucu luSGoaO III LII bcds nAo III 4ndLIuC~
the counsel is given to lay up treasure in
| there will the heart be also. Nor does the
| ADVICE to keep away from other men and
make recluse of oneself in hopes TO keep
pure and unspotted. No ordinarily intel
Iigent person need fail to understand the
plain, direct meaning of Scripture with
| rafa IN Tho 1.-Two nf tho world or1 ha
things that are in it. The world is not our
rest. and nothing in it will endure perma-
| nently. Not even the love of friends is
strong enough to resist the memorable law
| of the universe, which demands that ev-
erything earthly must be deeting and tran
STORY.
1t makes no difference how much wealth
may have been amassed, how many friends
there may be to love. once the fat goes
| forth that man shall return to the dust as
he was, and the spirit to God who gave it.
Everything must be left at the solemn bid
ding, and the soul stripped of every earthly
belonging must go forth to meet its God.
Says Spurgeon:
Remember, dear reader, the love of
men and women is very sweet, but all m ust
pass away; and what will you do if you
| have no wealth but the wealth that fadeth,
no love but the love which dies, when
| death shall come?'
What will you do, indeed? To such as
have made no preparation for this inevita-
BILE passing az ay' from time into eternity,
how like hopeless echo the query repeats
itself, for if no love for God and things of
the kingdom dwell in the soul, how shorn
and helpless must it stand before its Maker
at last But there is wealth that never
fadeth, and a love that never dies. Death
only admits the soul of the believer in
Christ, snd his most precious promises tie
abingdon whose beauty and riches far
transcend all the poor wealth of the world,
and are as imperishabIe as they are price
less in value. The love of heaven never
passes away, but endures forever and for
ever. What provident, worldly wise man
would build house on foundation so in
secure he knows the first rough stor Ii
would overthrow the entire structure
How far more foolish and short-sgh GIFTED
the man who loves the world better than
he loves the things OF the kingdom of God,
whose love and whose hopes are conferred
only on things which are sure to pass away.
| Tile Christian at Work.