The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-27
cun,srrAxITY THE CAUSE
And Not tho Eesult--It fs L''e-"'''n
Force.


God Judges from the standpoint 'i .ne
and not the consequence; MS
..or, &. with the cause. not the enec''
tho soul and interprets therein
tie An act therefore may De hop'e
VIZ a,ayotine I'm It's influence, anu yet
" 'n a., ~ source. A man may bestoW
~ a.. hountv upon charity through ,he
H~,,,ng influence of selfish desire
20 ,ba praise OF his fellows, ana not DC
cause OF any philanthropic tendency OF
hi nature Every deed proceeding rum
The heart is tainted with our imperiec-
tions. unless the springs OF actlon haVe
heen purified by the Divine touch IhIis-
tianity Is the sanctifying OF the impulses
which hold dominion over us, mahieS''hS
itself In good works, but not occaslonen
thereby; Christianity produces GOOD inc
good does not beget IT, morality IL an
incident thereto, not the cause thereVi'
indeed we cannot work out our own SAL
walton: Il is the gift Of God through
grace bestowed.
Energy is the condition Of life, the very
essential OF growth; a passive state -
the process Of decay. The springs OF our
nature unless kept pure by the ac'F-
ity of their flow. will surely staghate'
Unless our religion is an impulse to urge
us into aggressive warfare against the
encounterlng evil, our profession is
vain show. a mere mockery. and either
we are deceived. or being undeceiVed.
guilty of hypocrisy. The religion OF
Christ is vitaliZing force urging 10
effort and bestowing life through the
power Of its energetic influence The
spirit of Christ made manifest in the
nf over
throw of Satan. The light Of divine truth
can alone dispel the darkness Of sin and
bestow upon man the blessing of hope.
Love points the way; man shall attain
the goal through patience, toll and sacri-
flee. The pilgrims path is steep and
rugged. but God is the guide, and His
right arm Is all sufficient to support,
and His smile to cheer and comfort
The logic Of Christianity IS the demon
stration Of God in the life the OUT
ward manifestation OF n Divine impulse.
We are known by the fruits Of the spirit.
Christianity discovers itself In the argu-
ment OF facts. and needs no theory TO
explain its reality. It's overcome Is love
and charity, and its reward the benedic-
ton of the poor and needy. and the
gratitude of the sorrowlng and the OPP
pressed Christ in the heart Is the light
Of the life shedding It's divine influence
upon the miseries surrounding us and
scattering the enshrouding gloom.
Christianity Is not formulated princl-
pie but rather a life-giving force. Greed
10 cold and lifeless unless the vitalizing
power Of the spirit OF Christ shall instl
warmth and vlgor The spirit Of Christ
pulsates In the heart OF humanity, and Is
not circumscribed within the limits set
by prejudced belief. Christ Is the
hope OF man. and His favor reaches unto
the universal race. All distinctions are
lost In the scope Of Divine love, and the
charity OF Christ is as broad as the reign
of wretchedness and sorrow. The cry OF
misery and the prayer Of the burdened
heart find ready access into the Divine
nature, while the sounding professions
Of the sef-righteous Pharisee become an
abomnauon. Christ I'm His love uplifts;
in His wrath, aliases; the humble shall
be exhalted, and the proud brought low.