The record-union., 1896-03-16

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Hear some of the first principles OF
this kingdom: Blessed are the poor in
spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven; Blessed are they that
mourn; BLESSED are the meek
Blessed are they that do hun
ger and thirst after righteousness I;
Blessed are the merciful''; BLESSED are
the pure in heart; Blessed are the
peacemakers''; Blessed are they which
are prosecuted for righteousness sake ;
BLESSED are ye when men shall revile
you," etc.
And in this new kingdom man should
render good for evil, prayer for enc
mics, kindness to the worst foes. Many
thought this could never be brought
about. It was fanciful dreaming. But
Christ thought it could, and He put
it into the mouths of all the faithful as
their constant prayer.
No one should be critic of another,
and little children should have an hon
ored place in this kingdom The apos-
ties all worked and looked for this
kingdom. Paul thought it would and
should come Immediately.
: Then, we see that Christ came to set
men to work with Him. The whole
earth was to be transformed, and all
men were to be coworkers, fellow-p part
ners with Christ, all striving to bring
in the kingdom of righteousness. 1t
would be reign of peace and purity
and a time would come when the mis-
sion of the church would have passed
away because all men had come to
know the Lord.
Now what do wa 600 0f this king
dom to-day? Many years have passed
away since the seed was planted. Into
what has it grown? Well, the world
changes. More of the Spirit is ruling
now than ever before.
Standards once used will not apply
to-day. The Golden Rule has more to
do in the world now than ever in the
past. Principles of Christianity are
roofing deep in all lands. Standards of
purity and living the people have to-day
and they got them from Jesus of Naza-
reth. The world in 1896 is far in ad-
vance of the world in the reign of the
Caesars. The leaven is working. The
fatherhood of God and brotherhood of
men has real meaning among men to-
day. Men are insisting on it's practice
and will have more of it.
Men are united to help each other, to
lift each other up. Each one feels that
he is his brothers keeper, and he
reaches out a hand to help. This is the
growing spirit of Christ, and still
greater changes may we expect. We
live in a crucial, critical time 1t is the
working out of these great principles of
Christ.
The signs of the times tell something.
All languages are known to-day. All
religions are read and compared.
Heathenism is weakening day by day,
and the teachings of Christ are perme
ating the world. Men are seeking to
adjust their relations with God and
man. The kettle is seething; the
leaven is working, and men and ma
tions are drawing nearer and nearer
together, forming one brotherhood. But
not yet do we see all things put under
Christ as King. Says Mr.. Mills: "This
world belongs to God"
1t is not the devils world. 1t is Gods,
redeemed by the Son of God. Then
honor Christ, acknowledge Him, and
you'll see that this world belongs to
Him. Deny Christ, then you may give
over this world to the devil AS
wrecked and ruined world, Christ came
to save it. Cry no longer that it be-
longs to Satan. Too long have men said
this, but it is false. Christ has redeemed
this world, and now the world must be
brought back to its Redeemer. Here
is the great work of the church.
Every member has a share in 16, and
what we do in Influencing Tor God tells
for eternity. Learn how from Christ.
He was down among the people, and
that is where to find Him to-day. All
who are with Him still are down among
the people. We have read of priest
twenty years in prayer to hear mes
sage from God for the people. He heard
the Lords voice, and it bewildered him.
Where art Thou, Lord?'' Down here
on the earth with My people" was the
reply. The church must get and keep
close to the people, and put it's princi-
pies into the everyday life of the people,
and this will hurry in the new kingdom.
People will do this where they love
God and willingly hear His voice Men
who give up all for Christ are always
found to be the Savior's men, and they
will say: "All that 1 have is Thine"
There is, there can be, no holding back,
no reserve. Then will there be pure
doctrines-all will be living the teach
ings of Jesus.
A more thorough conservation will
hasten on the new kingdom. For this
means a drying of the tears, rebuke
of the oppressor, correction of wrongs,
reforms in many places, a steady war
against much that the church winks at
to- day. Evil will not long stand before
a consecrated church. We have heard
of churches moving out of certain quar-
ters because there were too many wicked
men around themi Christ would think
this just the place for the church to be-
just the field for her work.
Laws that oppress one class and exalt
another, the consecrated church will
not endure. The true church cannot
stand by and see the poor grow poorer
and weaker while the rich grow richer
and stronger It will not see anyone
class accomplish its ends by unjust
methods Indifference to evil of any
kind does not belong TO the true church.
But still it is an enemy to the kingdom
to-day. 1t causes poverty and wretch
edness. 1T permits the saloon to go on
ever increasing in it's deadly work.
Christians must arouse. The people are
crying for better things. for better lives.
Many cannot get on because of poverty.
Want leads them to vice. Plenty would
abolish the slums.
The church can help. The consecrated
church will help bring in the kingdom
of God, and this will lead out of poverty
and bring in joy and comfort.
We're Christ to return now. would he
find the church at work trying to bring
in the kingdom of God? Would he have
to saw: