Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1895-10-11
Christian Progress.

Part ofour instructions as to Christian
life are drawn, by inference, from the
world in which God has placed US.
When we note the progress of the
seasons, the development of natural
life, the historic development of the
languages, all elements OF civilization
and especially when we see the child
growing in physical, intellectual and
moral attachments, we are warranted
in believing that God meant that each
of us should grow in spiritual life.
Some lessons, and most important
ones, too are drawn from the words of
the Master and the apostles. The peO-
pie of that day were reminded that life
requirements were as the corn in the
field; first the blade, then the ear, after
that the full corn in the ear. The
withered fig tree was an object lesson
on Christs' expectation of an all around
growth. His last discourse emphasized
the same thought, for he said: "Herein
is my Father glorified, that We bear
much fruit" They were continually
pointed, by Christ to the growing world
round about them, as an illustration of
what He expected in the Kingdom of
God.
Gods own creation was progressive.
He went from step to step. His reve-
lation of Himself was progressive. He
made himself known by degrees, TO
those who studied that they might
know Him. His covenant promise,
and His prophecies Of the Messiah grew
more and more specific as the minds of
the people were prepared for His COM
| ing, and as the time drew near when
He should appear. The Christian life
is eXemplified completely in the life of
Christ. He grew in grace and stature,
and knowledge; nor did his growth
cease when He entered upon His public
work.
If these things are true of God, and
of his Son, Jesus Christ we are not far
wrong in supposeing that those who are
to be "like Him" should show the
same growth. That Christ impressed
upon the apostles that this is neces-
sary quality of the Christian life is very
evident, from their teachings.
Peter sounds the note of progress
again and again, and finishes his in
spired record with the exhortation to
grow in grace and in the knowledge
of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Paul rings the changes upon it, and
gets it in to every letter, as though it
could not be omitted and life be present.
How he desires that we should grow up
into Christ, increase with knowledge
of God; put off the oldman, and put on
the new; enter the race and run to its fin
ish; strive for masteries; abound in life
and grace! Nor did he ask of others
what he was unwilling to do himself
He says: "When / was child,
spake as a child, / understood as n
child, | thought as child; but when !
became man, Iput away my childish
things" What better can the Christ
ian do to-day? The milk period de-
serves its proper time and place; but no
full-grOwn man or woman should be a
sucking. Not all knowledge can he
attained at once. Not all the graces
can be perfected with equal facility.
But we can "follow after" We can
'seek the tin ngs that are above" we
can learn the scale of graces which,
joined together, harmonic the Christ
ian life. In the words Of the apostle, we
can by giving all diligence, add to our
faith, virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
and to knowledge, temperance; and to
temperance patience; and to patience,
godliness; and to godliness, brotherly
Kindness; and to brotherly kindness,
charity. Not all at once; nor all Of
anyone, in a single day, or year. But
every day and every year should show
progress, if we are to be like Christ,
and growing into Him.-The King
dom.