The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-05-22
DIR. TW0MBLY'S SERMON.
"THE PEnrECr MAN N Unntsr 9,
TuE 1uIMT.
The Preacher Presents sphere worthy
Of Attainment His
Image.

attachments which souls shall make
hereafter. st. Paul was accustomed.
however, to talk much of a perfection
which should be sought on earth.
This idea is included in the text,
Until we all come unto a perfect
man." assuming by this the obligation
and the hope of becoming, in our hu-
mainly, like our divine Lord.
II is very certain that only in this
world can we develop into perfect men
and women; therefore, the reference of
the Apostle in this passage must be, at
least in part, to the believers likeness
to the perfect human character of
Christ.
What we are during our mortal
career we must be as men; and per.
fected manhood is perfected sainthood.
And when we remember that had not
man sinned, humanity might have been
the only condition of our race forever;
when we are reminded that the favora-
BILE condition in which human beings
were first placed might have continued
indefinitely, and that the sinless, happy
human family might have existed
throughout endless years, as a per-
fected thought of God, we shall look
on our perfected humanity as worthy
of our highest effort; and on the finished
manhood in Christ as among the noblest
purposes of the Creators mind.
L am convinced that members get
before them the task of establishing the
true relations between the work Christ
came to do upon the human nature of
our race and the work He does towards
redeeming the soul for the life to
come.
1t is enough, however, for our present
purpose to trace on the Inca
ments of Christ the perfect man, and to
draw from the subject some reflections,
as to the example we ought to copy
and the blessings we may obtain in
seeking to be like our Lord.
My subject then is, 1.-The Perfect Man
In Christ as Developed by the Christian
Faith"
What then is perfect Christian
manhood? Let us take few passages
from the 18th Chapter of Romans, as
our guide. 81 beseech you brethren,
by the mercies of God, that we present
your bodies living sacrifice, holy and
acceptable to God"
How is this to be done? By voluntary
pain and suffering? By ascetic prac.
tices and severe repression of all physi-
cal enjoyment?
Is manhood to be the result of the
abject abnegation OF all rights and
privileges in the temporal gifts of God
and men?
Shall we come up to the perfection OF
discipleship by refusing all the honors
of the world; despising its resources,
and denying ourselves all pleasureable
sensations? Does this seem to be the
scheme OF Christian development set
forth in the Gospel, especially in thi
chapter, as it goes on to say, "Let no
man that is among you think more
highly OF himself than he ought to
thinkT' ''1n honor, preferring one an
another; not slothful in business; dis
tribute to the necessity OF saints; given
to hospitality; provide things honest in
the sight OF all men; rejoice with them
that do rejoice, and weep with them
that weep" "If it is possible, as much
as lieth in you, live peaceably with all
men,"
Take all the passages in the New
Testament which refer especially to a
disciples qualities as man; qualities
springing from reverence for God and
trust in the blood OF the atonement, and
what do we have as the result? What
a noble array OF qualities. Courage tc
assert ones true position as a moral
leader. Self-control, by which one holds
himself firmly to the right. Miscel.
laneous strength, that can determine
questions OF duty irrespective OF public
opinion, according to the command
''Let every one be persuaded in his own
mind"
A generous sympathy which can see
in every suffering brother a part of his
own humanity, and which can relieve
his woes, as the Master would have
done, irrespective of nationality, creed
conduct or condition.
Good fellowship, which loves to be al
acceptable host and liberal provider
with disposition to please others, $50
their good unto edificatiop."
A sympathy with all human happi
ness and human misery; and finally
peace-loying, where peace-seeking would
not compromise fidelity to principle o.
endanger ones influence in behalf o.
truth. Group together all these quail
ties which make up Christian manhood
according to the word of God, and 20,
will have one who is alive to all tina
touches the joys and sorrows of thi
mortal life-open to all influences tina
life, in order to be of use to himself an,
others, and able thereby the better t
glorify his Maker; ardent in the enjoy
ment of all domestic pleasures, sensitiv
to natures beauties-to improvement O
mans condition on earth-recognizinl
art and culture and the patron of ever
ennobling pursuit.
To such a man there is nothin
human that is alien to him. He is a
much part of the pulsating world, a
the flowers which make the summe
redolent of odors. He calls the staI
his brothers and all sentiments of lif
meets a response in him.
In the world of nature he is a part {
it: among men, he is as intense in h
humanity ae tho most actiya 90 tha,