Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1898-05-18
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvOR.

Topic, May ~: Christ our mouey-
Matt. 10 "a, as. John 10: 1915.
Every boy or girl Yho has been in
school a year, knows the Importance. OF
having correct models. When yPu
practice writing, you do not pick up
the carelessly written sentence of some
school mate, and try to initiate that.
Instead copy is set you which is as
perfect in form as it is possible to
make it. And so when boys are mas.
tering trade, or girls are learning
some phase OF housew DIRK, their sue
cess depends on two things first, the
excellence of tho model or pattern
given them to work by ; and secondly,
the care with which they follow it.
One of the most noticeable things
about little child is the tendency to
initiate. In lisping baby speech it re-
peats the words it hears, and daily
cries to copy the actions Of others. And
this tendency does not disappear as we
grow older. Consciously or uncon-
sciously We do countless things in di-
rect imitation Of others. Not infre-
quently we select some one whom we
admire, and make deliberate effort to
be like him. In this there is just one
danger. None of our friends are per-
feet, and if we copy their failings as
as we'll as their virtues, our own lives
are likely to fall very far short. In
patterning ones self after another, it is
OF the greatest importance that the
model should be without flaw.
THE PERFECT PATTERN.
Even il we do not act upon the
knowledge, surely each one of us un-
derstands that this rerfect model is
found in the life of Christ. And ther
the question arises in what way We
shall try 10 initiate him. 1t is faid o.
| Jesus that he went about doing good,
the sick and unhappy thronged the way
by which he journeyed, certain of biz
compassion. The little children came
| for his blessing, and were not turned
away. Wherever he passed, he LEI
behind glad hearts and happy faces.
Jesus did not disdain to do the hum
blsst Office for others. When SO shor
a time before his death, he washed thu
feet Of the apostles. he took the place
Ct servant 10 show them that service
is the most beautiful thing in tn
world, and the kingliest, il love in
spires it. He was patient with thos'
who did wrong. He made himself
friend TO those who had sinned til
perhaps they thought there was n
pardon for them anywhere. He hel(
no resent nent toward those who woul'
not accept the truth he came to bring
and on the cross prayed for tho for
giveness OF his murderers.
PROM HEART OF LOVE.
Perhaps some Of you say that yo
have tried to follow Christ in thes
things and have failed. Possibly yo1
gave up trying to be helpful becaus
people were not properly grateful. Th
unkindness of those about you ma
have discouraged you in trying to b
patient az Jesus was. You have no
found it easy 10 scatter happines
about you, because you thought firs
Of your own happiness.
Cbrist's love in the soul makes 81
these things possible. TO try to I'M
tate his acts, without having the hear
renewed in his likeness, is as hopeless
as to pluck roses from Canada thistle
Make Jesus your model in the mat
ter Of loving. Forget yourself INN
; OF those about you. and of their needs
It is true that people will not Away
be grateful when you have done you
best, Some will reject your lovin
words and hopeful acts But we mus
: remember that the disciple is not abov
, his Lord. Jesus bore the ingratitud
and cruelty OF men without anger an
without resentment, and we, if change
into his image and filed with his low
will be glad that even along thei
thorny paths we may follow him.
Young Peoples Weekly.