Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-21
Imitation of Christ.

Imitation Of Christ.
The lesson for Sunday, Nov. 10, may
be found in Eph. 4 (: 2O-32.
INTRODUCTORY.
"The Imitation of Christ" suggests
at once Thomas a Kempis' beautiful
and devout work "ImitatiO Christi.
So beautiful and devout indeed as to
lead DR.. Hort6 in his recent "Verbum
Del" to query, somewhat extravaganza
ly, IF the 1mitatio Christi is not a
word of God, what is?" But there is
something more beautiful end devout
than the book, The Imitation OF
Christ" 1t is the life that is an 'imi-
tation of Christ" Too many have con-
ned Saint Thomas book and have wept
over it and then went their ways into
wordliness and cruelty. On the other
hand many who have never read those
sentences of ardent devotion to the
Lord or of affection for his name have
still carried about in their sweet and
holy lives, ofttimes obscure, the lovely
witness of the Kingly One. 1t is to
provoke more such living that this
lesson is studied to-day.
POINTS IN THE LESSON.
"But We have not SO learned Christ"
i. e., been a disciple of Christ. Who
was it said it, it is another of our mar
ginal notes?-"Td rather be five min
utes with Christ than year in places
whore he once was"
Corrupt according to the deceitfui
lusts," or, as in the more literal Re-
vision the lusts of deceit. Lust in the
Scripture is another word for strong
desire. In this case it is the strong de-
sire of the Evil One who was deceiver
from the beginning; hence corruptness
ensues. In the case where growth and
sanctification are to be found it is also
according to desire, but this time the
gracious desire of God Il: III: Study
that significant word according" as it
occurs Repeatedly in this epistle.
BE renewed is etymologically be
reminded, i. e., got new mind. Here
comes up at once that meaningful pas
sage in Philippians, Let this mind
be in you which was also in Christ
Jesus he humbled himself" What
this old, selfish world needs is to be re-
Moved and reminded.
And grieve not the Holy Spirit.
Only friends grieve each other, and
what comforter and friend like unto
the Holy Spirit. We grieve frie nds by
acting contrary to that friendship and
doing those things inconsistent with
have fellowship. or against his mind.
And all the more grievous is such dis
loyalty since we carry the seal and
mark of adoption upon us. Be true to
the Holy Ghost.
True holiness" in its closer render
ing, is truth-holiness, or, as in Revi'
sion. holiness in truth" 1t is the life
that goes along with the living Of
the truth, and as the truth is in Jesus
". 21). after God" might better be
translated according to GCd, the same
proposition appearing as in V. ~,
above. So here we have the contrast
clear and sharp: according to the de-
ceitful lusts" Satan: acct riding to GCd.
Which is to be chosen?
HINTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS.
Here is a good question to ask, What
is it to be Christian?' We remember
a revival of religion in a certain sub
urb Of a city which gathered itself
about the putting of such a question,
leading members of the community
taking turns night after night in Civ
ing responses from the platform Put
the query now in the class. What do
you understand by the word Christian?
What is it, to-day, to be follower of
Christ? Various answers will doubt
ture given here. but VARYING according
to our changed circumstances. Each
| age naturally enough has its pre-emi-
nent and prevailing testimony to Jesus;
there is special witness, effective in
its way, for each generation. Is not
this what is meant by the Lord when
he says of the Spirits operations, And
he will show you the things to come
| he shall glOrify me?"
Wang, the Christian Chinaman, a
humble, almost insignificant man, was
the means of leading many of his coun-
trymen to Christ, and had the deep re-
spect of every one. And this tribute,
given at his death, was the secret of it
all, There was no difference between
| him and the Book.
Mrs. +. NJ. Whittemore, of New
York, when she engaged in the work
to which she has SO efficiently given
herself. the rescue of lost women OF
the city, occasioned not little Won
derment among her fashionable
friends. Several surmised that she
had lost her mind. Her reply was that
it was true, and that she hoped she had
gotten instead the mind of Christ.
Let the Word of God have free
course and be glorified. Out at Up
land, on the occasion of the last rites
over the body of the lamented Dr.
Benjamin Griffith, prominent among
the floral tributes was an open Bible
in white lilies and chrysanthemums
1t was beautiful symbol of the work
of his devoted life, "a life spent in scat
tering broadcast through the Ameri
can Baptist Publication Society and it,
agents the Word of life. Thereby she
being dead, yet speaketh.
Prof. Ward, of Syracuse, has much
to say regarding that rendition of the
Scripture which without gesture OF
comment is in the meditation of the
voice-he calls it "the vocal para
phrase" There is vet another
translation of the word, that is
in the life, the local paraphrase. Mer
know Christ and his Word as they sec
the same in lis. We are living epis
ties known and read of all men,"
Next Lesson-"The Christian Home.
| Col z. lo-o5