The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-02-13

81 His GNU O"UiohOo UhO OHlioOJ Will
the water of life that overlooking,
they become well-springs of Joy to
others.
This frail vessel Thou has made
Only Thine hands can fill,
All waters of this world have failed
And am thirsty still.'
a. Mere reformation teaches
confden ce in human help alone and
so invites defeat. The habit, being
stronger than he, defeats him, and
knowing no other power, he sur
renders, saying, "I've lost it all. -
Not so the regenerated, having
learned from his bible Of the mighty
arm OF Jesus outstretched to defend
His people, and led by his sin to see
that he has drifted too far from
that Savior, he returns for help,
crying, Gin thy cleft, o, Rock of
Ages, hide thou me-
(5.) Outward reformation may
spring from any n'Otiro-fear, force,
criticism of society, etc. Only one
origin is there for regeneration; i.
e., the blessed Holy Spirit. The
origin determines the character.
(6.) "And the last state of the
man of mere outward reform is
worse than the first, y eight times.
Experience constantly reafirms our
SaYior's statement, that he who
enters upon any course from mere
impulse, with no definite knowledge
or settled principle, should have
occasion to repent it. Moreover,
once deceived is often to lose all
confidence, and such persons seem
as hard to impress with truth as stat
ues of stone. That history proves
the truth of the foregoing positions
evidence is abundant. Caesar the
Dictator attempted to force reform
of Roman society and morals with
out laying foundation. lie failed,
and the empire decayed to its fall.
Leo the lsaurian attempted reform
in worship by smashing the images
and destroying the pictures in
churches. He. too, failed and the
result we see to-day. But look at
Alfred the Great, of West Saxony,
reforming his subjects by teaching
them self-restraint, cultivation and
study, with a result in which even
the England Of to-day rejolces.
Witness the great reformation that
began in Europe IN 1917 with the
posting of Luther's theses, and his
challenging the world to retute
them. A true reformation, due to
the fact that Luther thereby recall
ed mems minds to the study of
Scripture, resulting in the discovery
of truths there taught of God, that
have given to the world of to-day
millions of people protesting against
unscriptural teachings and practi-
ces. Such illustrations are legion.
Mere reformation whitewashes the
building, while regeneration re-
builds it from the ground. Our
conclusion is, let us accept Christ
Jesus as the basis and centre of all
lasting reformation, knowing that
only this species begins at the heart.
The more mems hearts are abiding
places of Jesus, the weaker becomes
the power of sinful habits. Let us
also more closely rally round the
church. 1t is the only divinely
instituted organization for the true
reformation of the world. We need
not more machinery, but a more
regular, consistent and conscien-
tious use of what we have. Gener-
ais may march their victorious
armies in magnificent display of
force, but the Kingdoms of this
world will have become the king
doms of our Lord and Of His Christ,
and the glorious reign of the Prince
Of Peace be inaugurated only when
the heart OF the nation, of the home
and of the church shall have expe-
rienced that kind of reformation
that prompted an individual heart
to sing
Rock ofagcs cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee"
The Beginning of the Seasons.
1t is somewhat surprising that
nnrsOnS of intn1li0nncn and oduco