The Kosciusko star. (Kosciusko, Miss.) 18??-1898, 1895-10-25
THE STEADFAST GAZE.

II SldHCe SdIlSH6S US 100 OIleH'
1t is no wonder that we feel indif-
ference for what we never truly
see. 1t is no wonder that sin fills
our hearts, finds outlet in our ton
CUES, and rules in the life. A SUI
perfcial Christian life must be the
result of hasty glances at Jesus.
So deep, 80 divine work as his,
so deep and many sided and glo-
rious a character as his, must and
does demand more than a slight
observation from purblind men, if
much OF the glory is to permeate
their darkness.
Angels seem to be drawn COM
pletely out of themselves, and
probably they have never known
what the lurking, haunting, ham
pering sense of self means. We
are told that the childrens's an
gels always behold the face of the
Father. They are not looking
furtively for the reflection Of their
own faces in the mirror of the
crystal river. We are told that
angels are ministering spirits, sent
out to minister to those who should
be heirs of salvation. Ministry to
others, not self-ministry, is their
calling. aye ministers Of his that
do his pleasure. There is no
other pleasure for them but his
pleasure. They are forever gazing
forever studying and laying hold
with all ardor and the insight Ct
Immortality pure and burning be-
ing, of what is to be our study and
our vision foreverl That study is
forever fresh, alluring, satisfying,
rapturous.
There is something of the eter-
nally childlike in the wonder and
alteration of their steadfast gaze.
AL progress is childllke, for it
means receptivity, openess, and
the belief in still greater and grand
er things than are already known.
Blessed are those children in, and
ever to be in, the Fathers house,
under his sweet, strong tuition.
Such children the angels are, ever
ever progressing, because ever
learning, by means of the stead
fast gaze. Whatever the kindly
ministries of angels TO US, these
spiritual beings are presented to
US in the Bible in this constant at
titude of the steadfast gaze. But
contemplation leads them to ser
vice, These are the two lights in
which they are shown to US. AS
they gaze, they are moved to the
service of God and ofmen. Every
true at Christ, on the part of the
believer, must argue with the most
Irresistible logic the greater SER
vice of men. For what purpose
was his redeem!ng work? 1t was
to save men. And we must be
about the same work. There is
immense, intense satisfaction in
the all.contemplative vision for us,
for ourselves; but we can never
rest in this peace and qualification
alone-not until a world is saved
The more we are able to look
into the depths of meaning in the
death of the Son of God for guilty
men, the more we must be moved
to try to make men see and be-
lieve in that work for them. The
more gather in regard to the ira
vail of his soul, the more we must
determine to help him in his search
for his lost sheep. If this be not
the result, we are not looking at
three true object--at Jesus-but at
some construction of own magma
ton. All looking at Jesus leads
to the saving of the souls, for his
essence is soul-saviorhood. And
we shall have to recognize that as
his inmOst nature.
In these coming days or summer
rest, when many will have the
leisure denied them in the busy
fulness of routine life, shall we
not take our Bible as our summer
handbook, and gaze with steadfas1
vision on the Jesus as there re-
vealed? Let US see if We cannot
fill our minds and souls with such
knowledge of redemption, fol
our own sakes and for that OF 9th.
ers, that we shall be conscious Of
newer and more adequate con.
ception of what it means that the
(,zl cl.,,1J 1o.,.o 4