The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-12-27
CT LOVE THY KINGDOM. Loapw

How much do any Of us realize what Is
meant by the kingdom Of God2 If we at all
appreciated its glory, if We at all apprehended
the fact that if all Christians were living true
Christian lives the kingdom of God would be
here present, an actual reality instead of an
obscurely apprehended hope, how different
our own lives would be! How earnestly we
should strive, not only after personal meet
ness for that kingdom, but to bring all
around us into such meetness.
The Christmas time is fit time for think
ing on these things. A large branch OF
Christ's church always deyotes this whole
month of December to meditation on the ad-
vent of our Lord, his first coming into the
world. Then, as we know from John the
Baptist, the kingdom Of heaven was at hand.
It might have become realized fact at any
time since the descent of the Holy Spirit II
Christian men and women had taken to heart
the teaching of Jesus, that the kingdom OF
heaven is not to be looked for In the far dis
tance, in the future life, but to be sought and
realized now. "The kingdom Of God is
within YOU" said our LORD. And he further
taught that his victory over the power o!
evil was manifest token that the Kingdom
of God was present fact. eff in the Spirit
Of God cast out demons, then Is tho Kingdom
Of God come upon you" For tnfs Is the
very token and meaning OF the Kingdom OF
God-the victory over sin. 49,.
We do not half realize our high calling.
We do not at all perceive what yet, when we
stop to consider, shows itself as an indisputa-
bic fact, that if every one who calls himself
Christian should begin from this day forward
to mould all his life on the mode! OF the king
dom the kingdom Of God would be here.
Think what 1t would be in tho small
est country village If every church mem
ber in it should have his heart 80 set
upon the coming Of the kingdom that
every other interest took q subordln-
ate place. How it would stop denomln-
ational rivalry first of all, and heal differ.
ences between Individual Christians, and
put the honor of Christ's cause and the saliva
ton of men above the amassing OF wealth,
above even the earning of daily bread; not
setting asidethis duty. but gloryfying 1t as
the furtherance of the kingdom, not for indi-
yidual well-being What earnest care It
would work in these Christians, yea, what
clearing Of, themselves. yea, what lndigna-
ton, yea, what fear. yea, what long-suHer-
ing. yea. what zeal! How 1t would revolu-
ton 20 the village government and the So
cial standards and the neighborly inter
course and the business dealings OF the whole
community!
How glorious an advent season wnen the
Church of Christ realizes this wonderful
truth. How blessed Christmas season His
who makes from that day forth the coming
of the kingdom his one aim, the standard by
which he tests all his actions. the spring Of all
his endeavors. Into his heart the kingdom
of God will come His life will pe as truly
hid With Christ in God as If he had already
entered upon the life beyond. He will indeed
have entered upon eternal life. There will beno
shutting off Of motives. and purposes aud
aims by death but perfect continuity of the
heavenly with the earthly existence. Then
will be realized for him that saying OF Jesus,
'sWhosoever iveth and believeth in me shall
never die" for that which men call death will
be simply transition from Zone part OF the
kingdom of heaven to another. Let this be
our Christmas meditation this year.-Ameri-
can Messenger. ---.