Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-05-05


old entertainments. old delusions, so we en-
ter upon newness Of life full Of new In
terests and attractions. Like as Christ
was raised up from the dead by the glory
Of the Father even so we also should walk
In newness Of life, and conformsbly to the
fact Of having entered npon newness of
life should be the aspiration of our hearts
II ye then be risen with Christ seek those
things which are above. So Jesus BY his
baptism separated Himself from the Phari-
sees and their sympathy and large aud in
finential following; separated himself
from the Nazarenes and bs own house
hold, to walk in a life devoted to seeking
that which is lost, and hohoring the word
of God above the traditions of men.
suppose that even the worldliest spec
tator at a baptismal service recognizes
somew hat that the act divides the baptized
believer from him and the old life and its
interests. recall the circumstances Of
husband who on this very ground was op
posed to the baptism OF his wife that 1t
introduced separation for the first time
into their companionshp, although she
over-ruled his opposition, and he learned
that the companionship was no less desir-
able when one of the parties to 1t was CON
secrsted in heart and life to unworldly
aims. But the division should be consist
emily maintained and carried out. 1t does
not diminish natural sffecton for ones
friends who are unconverted to be most de-
voutly consecrated to a christian service,
although the interests are less equally pro
portioned and directed In respect to the
common affairs of the present world. We
do not love our friends any the less when
we come to realize that they are In danger
and in an unhappy condition OF life, from
which we have ourselves escaped We
have an interest In them, cause to keep
our minds on them In their souls peril
which did not exist before we came to the
knowledge of the salvation that is in
Christ Jesus.
When your son or husband " ho went to
the war first came into your presence
dressed In the uniform Of the L. $. army,
perhaps some feeling Of jealousy or dread
of power that could break up your home
and divide its most sacred relations " as
excited in your heart; but II you came TO
espouse the cause for which he wore tha,
uniform, that jealousy gave place to feel
ing Of devotion to your country and
willingness and more than willingness
that your kindred should assume its dis |
tinctivc iress. SO there may be an uneasy
sense of separation excited between very
dear friends when one of them puts on
Christ and enlists In service not of this |
world. But II Is only thus that the world |
can be conquered for Christ. The soldier |
of Christ must have no entanglements |
with the enemy that Christ came To de- |
stroy. The story Is told of soldier who |
was matchmaker before he entered the |
army. and during his leisure hours he WAS
in the habit of cleaning and repairing |
watches for his comrades In the camp. |
He became so engrossed In this profitable |
employment that he almost forgot that he |
as u sD'uitI aLt " utu lIit oIuei tAtile iOI |
him to perform sentinel duty he answered |
in dismay: 81 can't do sentinel duty for | |
have forty watches that must be fixed" |
1t is the great danger Of the soldier who |
has put on the uniform OF Christ that the |
lesser duties of this world crowding into |
his time and heart may oblterate from his |
memory the fact that when he was bap. |
tized into Christ he put on Christ. We |
are indeed baptized but once. for having |
once assumed the badge Of Christ we have
no occasion to repeat the profession but |
often need to remind ourselves that we are |
clothed with Christ and should walk |
worthy Of our name.