Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1898-06-01
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.

Topic, June 5: Christs Mission on
Earth.-John 1O;7-1S.
Between the lower forms of human
life and the highest, there is q gulf
which at first thought seems almost as
broad as that separating the most de-
graded of the human family from the
lower animals. When travellers tel us
of savage tribes unable to count beyo.. ID
three, and whose language contains no
equivalent for the words Glove" and
'home," it is hard to realize that their
poor, narrow existence is in its essence
the same as some life, enriched by gen.
erations,of Christian culture, responsive
TO the influence of art and music and
literature and friendship, finding its
highest enjoyment in that for which
some brother-men have not even aname.
Christ came to this earth that we
might have life and have itabundantly,to
bring body and brain and heart into
harmony with Gods ideal for a perfect
humanity. He procla.ms liberty to the
captives, recovery of sight to the blind,
comfort to the brokeu-hearted, and
this in order that the hindrances hay
ing been done away with, all might have
life in its full ness.
HIS MISSION TO YOU.
When we talk of Gods desires for
humanity, of Christ's mission to earth,
there is danger of our feeling left out,
as though in the yastness of these de-
vine plans, one unit could not make
much difference. We shall reach a |
t:uer conclusion if we change the ques-
on, and ask what Christ wishes to do
for us, in order that we may have life
and have it abundantly.
In the first place he promises to
make us pure in heart. Sin does for
the soul what certain diseases do for
the body-paralyzes one faculty after
another, and so shuts out its victim
from the world Of Gods love and care
that existence becomes living death.
Christ, in purifying the heart, sets free
hese imprisoned powers.
Then, too, he wishes you to be hap
y. Gloom and melancholy are checks :
pom abundant life. The soul must {;
ave sunshine if it is to flourish. :.
miles and laughter have their part in :,
ur development as truly as prayers -
is impossible to think of fullness Of !
fe apart from fullness of JOY. -
YOUR MISSION. 81
You need to understand Christ's
ission to earth in order hat you may
alize your own. He came to broaden
res and to lift them up, but he ex-
ects your cooperation,
You lend an inspiring book from
ur library to the girl in your kitchen, II
to your bed-ridden neighbor. You nc
t brigE :, helpful story in the hands M
that grim urchin, whose present sur Ill
'ndings give so little hope for his IN
ure. You have planted new
'ughts in the minds of these people, n.y.
ye put them in touch with broader CO,
nds; in short, have done some of br
ar Masters work in charging cramp- fol
and narrow lives. w.
A kind word, a pleasant smile, q
cry salntation, may perform the
ne high Office Whatever gladdens
cart, whatever leads one to look up
The blue sky rather than downward,
ateyer enables him to believe that :
re IS sympathy and helpfulness and ma
dness in the world about him, is out
ing to the completeness Of his life,
ping it to open like an unfolding
!. one
tut most essential of all, your words INN
acts should continually promote ple'
ers to win the friendship of Christ. Will
without him who is himself the
;, no human life Can be full nor
styling. self