The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-04-19

pernatural He raised man to the plane
of that love; he made him Il sharer of
the divine nature; he gave him that
same love which Is in the God-nead.
whereby he loves God as God loves him
self, and loves his neiEhbor for Gods
sake. Through this love man becomes
deified, a sharer or the divine nature
What n contrast between this high and
ennobling result and the puny efforts
of human reason. rebell.ous To God. and
striving TO glorify itself! The greatest
effort Of reason which discards revelation
is 10 belittle the supreme being, the
author of ALL BY the pantheism 1t advo-
cafes, iudrags God down from his throne
and makes HIN man with all the mise
ries and defects we know man has.
Christianity. with its teaching of chart
ty, raises man up, purifes him, emo
bp,s him. elevates him to fellowship with
God himself. till. from this union, so
penetrated does he become with the fire
of divine love. that he Slows with 1t, and
shines with the same light as the deity
itself.
Now let ,us ask ourselves a question
Do we feel that we have reached so
sublime state as to be thus united
with God? am afraid. in our sincerity
we must shrink from answering that we
have. The conception Is so lofty, and
we are SO weak. Still there are grades
in the acquisition OF this spirit. of Chris
llah 1--WE dllu we IIluy 10 altdlD-
that grade our weakness may permit
How we can do so may be better under
stood by looking at the subject I'm a
practical way. The first result of this
love of God should be the observance OF
his law. IF you love me-" said Christ.
keep my commandments" If we are
doing our best to keep the command
ments. the decalogu.e. we have made q
great advance in the attainment of the
spirit of love. The first three precepts
regard our duties to God: the adora ton
of God. reverence for his name. the wor-
ship of him. The other precepts regard
our neighbor. our duties to him.
When WE keep the former we truly
love God and love ourselves according to
God, in a proper. well-ordered reason
able way. We therefore do the best for
ourselves evidently. That we should so
love and benefit ourselves is just. and
as the creator intended. for we are to
dove our neighbor as ourselves; the
model goes before the copy, and In this
instance the copy isEthe love we must
have for our naighbor. The remaining
precepts of the decalogue give us gen
eral directions with regard 10 the rights
OF our neighbor. and to our correspond
ing duties; for right and duty arg cor
relative terms the one implies the other.
Let us apply practical test at once to
see whether TIN, law of love is working
in us. Do we respect our neighbours
rights? De we do to him as we wish
othels tn do unto us? Does unselfshness
dominate In us? or ara we unselfish and
ready 10 make sacrifices for our fellow
man? What field of inquiry this ques-
ton opens up! How 1t spaciates over
the varied departments of human activ-
ity and the various relations of men! II
dips down at once into the recesses OF
human intercourse.
Take the relations between the rich
and the poor. Charity says to the man
of wealth: Look kindly on the poor
man; he is your brother: don't turn away
because of squalor and rags Think OF
the depressing influence of privation, of
the absolute inability to provide for self
and family. Open your purse and of
your superfluity help your brother. In
giving. vouchsafe, too, the charity of
kind look and OF a cheering word" To
the poor man 1t says: do not envy the
rich; do not wish them evil: do not rail
at them; do not plot to deprive them of
what they possess; do not give read,
ear to accusations against them that sap
the order of social life. Be grateful for
what is given you. and ask the blessing
of God on those he has inspired to help
you. and remember that Christ chose
for himself not the position of the rich
and powerful. but the condition pf the
poor man; and, considering how he thus
ennobled poverty which Is not the result
of wrong doing; be resigned to the in
conveniences 1t brings with It, and rec
ognize the dignity of poverty"
Next cast glance at the rights and
duties OF the employer and of the en-
ployed. The law of love says to the en-
ployer: Remember those you employ
are your fellow men, whom God l5yes.
Be just to them TO generosity. Don't
think your duties are fulfilled II Won
simply pay them their wages. They are.
as 1t were, members of your family.
solicitude you bestow upon your family
Encourage the family life among them:
look after them. as fast as you can. when
sickness or misfortune comes upon them.
contribute to their happiness as far as in
says:
Respect the rights nf your emplover
Give him cheerfully the respect and one.
dience that are his due. Be strictly inst
10 In .tx.ttl