The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-27

EINhSSeS OI T1edV6n-I nose VINO
Enter 1t Are Members of the Family
of God.
Rev. W. J. Ford yesterday resumed
duties at the Green Ridge Baptist
church after his return from an ex-
tended wedding tour, and in the morn
ing preached to a large congregation.
Mr.. Ford took his text from Luke
x:2O, "Howbeit in this rejoice not that
the spirits are subject unto you, but
rejoice that your names are written in
heaven" He said:
'Some weeks before these words were
spoken Jesus had appointed the seventy
and sent them forth two by two.
They were directed to go throughout
all Judea healing the sick" and pro-
claiming the approach of the Kingdom
of God. In obedience to the command
they had proceeded, taking neither
scrip nor purse, and yet their needs
had been supplied. They had met with
success beyond their widest dreams,
and upon their return exclaimed, "Even
the devils were subject to US in Thy
name"
"Jesus renewed their commission and
entrusted them with still greater au-
thority, and so long as they served
under His banner they were promised
that nothing should in any wise hurt
them. 1t would seem that there was
in this sufficient cause for rejoicing.
They had power to heal diseases, they
could relieve those who were suffering
from demoniscal possession; they had
absolute freedom from thought of ply
sical danger, even the poisonous ser.
pentS and the deadly scorpions being
powerless to harm them. But Jesus
pointed out, when they showed elation
over their past success, that in all this
there was no cause for rejoicing, but
the real and true cause for rejoicing
was that their names were written in
heaven.
THE HIGHEST GOOD.
mo wonder that Jesus bade these
disciples rejoice that their names were
written in heaven; no other good can
compare with this. In all our calcula-
tions of this life we must not forget
that there is life beyond and every
thing should be considered in its rela-
lion to both this life and the next. In
searching for the highest good we
should seek something which shall be
good then as we'll as now, and If we
find something surprising all else in
both lives that certainly is the thing to
be sought as the chief source of Joy.
II am not saying anything disparag-
ingly of education; we can none of us
gain too much, but if we have gained
nothing else in this life but education
we have not gained very much after
all. There is very little of the world
about us that we can know and sup
pose that large part OF the little we
do know is not true. We laugh at the
foolish theories of the past generations
but what evidence have we that our
grand children will not laugh at us
still more than we now laugh at the
childish ideas of the wise men Of the
last century. No scientific work ten
years old can bs accepted as an author.
ity in all particulars today. The books
of the present generation will have
little value to coming generations ex-
cept as ouriosities.
"The character Of fame was uncer-
tain. Men have built up great en-
pires and even though they may by 9
strong personality hold them together
during their own lives they are broken
up under the rule Of their successors.
Alexander weeping for another world
to conquer is a familiar illustration
that lust for conquest can never be sat
isfed. II unlimited power and brill
iant achievements were ever cause
for rejoicing it would seem that they
were in his. case. Which would be o.
most importance to Napoleon of today
the fact that in the annals OF France
his name stands as the first emperor OF
that his name should be written il
heaven the child of God2
THERE IS A LIFE BEYOND.
''Men so often forget that there is ;
life beyond this, and in deciding upor
the best plan of living they should tax,
into account both of these lives. Tht
future life should receive just so much
more serious attention as the eternity
over which it extends is longer thar
the years of this life. Far better tha
the name should stand written upon
the lambs book Of life than it should
appear written high upon the perish
able records of written glory.
Nor is the possession OF great wealtt
to be compared with the possession O
q name in heaven. With what can
man buy back his own soulH There i
nothing, if the soul is lost All til,
wealth of the world prove insufficien
to bring 1t back again. Such was tn
case of Dives when all his wealth wa
not sufficient to buy the privilege o
having Lazarus dip his finger in watei
to cool his parchod tongue. None o
the things which Theme compared will
citizenship in the kingdom Of God ar
to be considered as evil in themselves
They are an evil only when they inter
fere with the attainment Of a highe
blessing.
"Those whose names are written II
heaven enjoy privileges which are de
MED others. They are members of tn,
family of God. and as such are entitled
to all the privileges Of children. The,
are no longer under law. all the priyil
eyes of which we can conceive as be-
longing to child in the home, tn
Christian possesses in his relation t
God"
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