Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1898-12-07
CHRISTIAN ,2NDEAVOR.
Young Peoples Weekly

Topic. December IL: The Minor Vir
tues and Their Imporance-Phil. ]
-, 13; 4: s; Matt. 5; 43.
The most beautiful and perfect bah.
ever born il to the world would no
long be considered either beautiful O.
perfect if he were not constantly max
ing pro ,ress. There are great posi-
bilities:within that tiny body and unde
veloped brain. Little as we see il
proportion to all that is taking place
almost every day our at enfion is call
ed to some advance on the child's part
One Of the wonderful things about lif'
is the rapidity with which the new
Gomez masters the facts of the strange
world in which he finds himself, ant
daily increases in knowledge anC
strength.
When we are born into Gods family
our condition is very similar to that Of
the child who has just entered the
world. We are at the beginning Of
things. Strength and knowledge and
development and growth viii come, il
we follow the right course, but to start
with we are ignorant and helpless. 1t
is strange how few people seem to real
ize that there is anything important in
the Christian life beyond the new birth.
As o matter Of fact there should be as
great difference between the new
convert and the experienced Christian,
as between the newborn babe und the
man in his prime.
Faith in the Lord Jesus is the mag
nifcent foundation on which he can
rear an imposing temple, adorned with
everything which n contribute to its
beauty. But it must be admitted that
ms cad of this, some build low, IN
slightly structures, bare and unloyely.
"He is all right Godward," minister
once said of certain Christian, "but
MAYNARD he is little twisted" Which
seems to be another way OF saying that
the foundation could not be improved
upon, but that the suberstruc ure was
unsightly AMI unsafe
"All thugs are yours" is state
ment which furnishes food for thought.
There is nothing which can increase
the strength of our minds and hearts,
which can add single beauty or charm
to our character, which can give our
influence longer reach or firmer
grip, after which we should not strive.
The minor virtues, the traits which
make attractive many who are not Chris
tians, ard which become so irresistible
when backed by:principle, must be cul-
tlyated il our natures are to blossom
out in the beauty of Chrstlikeness.
The saying of Angelo that trities
make perfection, but that perfection is
no trihc, has lost 5 om ething of its force
perhaps, through being so frequently
quoted, yet nothing has ever been said
which better expressed very vital
truth. You cannot take courtesy and
taos and sympathy and combine them
in such a way as 10 make noble
You must start with some
thing more substantil-faith in God
and love to lien. But on the other
hand, perfection is dependent on these
lesser things. After t hawless block
of malble is purchase !, there must be
a vast amt unit OF effort and skill ex-
pended; the cLisel must chip away the
sharp angels Ond rough edges, bring
ing out graceful curves instead, before
the finished image will stand forth per-
feet and beautiful.
It i, reported that Prince George OF
Greece aud Princess Victoria OF Wales
are tn a. ed to be mfrried