The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-17

| are hills yet to level There are roads yet TO
be made straight. We are called to clear the
way of every obstacle so that the King of Glory
may ride on in triumph.
As Christians Ours is work of preparation.
We must not stand in the way. nor should we be
simply negative. We should not only not stand
as obstacles, but We must be positive forces for
removing all difficulties. We are to prepare
the way for the Lord
| Now, let us get everything ready for the Lord
to come. IF we know Of any obstacle, remove
il, for we all want the King of Glory With us.
Away with all enmiijes and preiuaices. Let a
spirit of love prevail In cur midst. Let IFS for
give we hope 10 lte forgiven by our Father
in Heaven. Do not tbe in the way of anyone
coming TO Christ. If there he any obstacle an Y
where ask Gods help that yon may have
strength to remove it. Do not be guilty Of do
ing anything, nor of going anywhere, by either
Of which you may hem mp the way Of a poor
soul who is anxious to reach Christ and to be
saved from sin.
Ours is preparatory work but God is sure
to come when we get things in readiness.
man prepares tho way for the Lord when he
ploWs and sows his fields and the Lord 10
sure to come along and give him harvest
Both harvests-the material and spirtual-are
! conditioned largely on human effort. An in
doIent farmer will have an empty cellar, an
untitled granary, and an unsupDied barn. so
OF church which neglecis the preparatory
work. 1t will be lean in membership and bar
rem as to infants in Christ.
Our work is bnt to open the way. We need
not then even ask God for his advent. Simply
get highway in readiness. and with all his
train Of blessings he will enter.
great point of all we have said is apparent
to every hearer TO wit, the need of human CO.
operation with God He requires as to do our
part. What We can do, he declines to perform.
Before God will act further, he insists on onr
doing our part. Samson did not bend those
huge pillars aud bury his enemies simply by
divine power. He was Obliged to join all his
physical power TO Omnipotence before they
would move. Had you been there, you would
have seen his great muscles swelling; his wild
chest expanding; his forehead in sweat, and
you would have heard the heaving of the
mighty of strength. The fact is this
as true of the Church AS elsewhefe-G0d never
does anything for ybody which he can do for
himself
Helen Angel Goodwin has lines which are
instructive III this connection:
Prepare ye the way of the Lord
Make straight in the desert His path;
Lest the blessing He change for a sword,
And smite us in terrible wrath.
Let us level The mountains Of pride
And bridge tile swift river of will,
And the self chasns souudless and wide
To The level OF lowliness fill.
Cut down the gnarled woods of deceit,
The marshes of envy drain dry,
Yea, straighten the path for our feet.
For the King III His journey draws nigh.
Our God Is Spirit and He
From the meek shall be hidden no more.
Our bodies his temple shall he
Whose glory our spirits adore.
Know this-the command of God is issued to
each one of you, Prepare the way Of the Lord. y
1t is issued by one who has authority, but.
moreover, it is issued by one who loves you,
and who wants you to love Him. You do love
Him? ] rejoice Remember, however, what
he says, "This is the love of God. that we keep
His commandments" Then obey Him. Garry
out His order. Prepare the way of the Lord ,,