Arizona republican., 1899-05-21

way the members presented a very un-
 inviting appearance when Cn their er-
 rarlds of mercy It is told Of a sick
 and friend,ess girl, who was lying in 1 her oleerlesS rCCn in Florence, that
 wf1en several black robed figures
 noiseleSsly entered her room she be-
 came unconscious from fright. When
 she aWoke it was in a large airy ward
 of a hospital, with kind and beautiful
 faocts surrounding her; the members Cf the Misericordia, who so startled
 and Expelled her at first, proved to be l her kindeSt friends. The church may | sometimes seam dull, Uninteresting, solemn, cold, though it should not; but
 believe me, it has a tender heart, and
 desires to help and to bless. If it has appeared otherwise to you, the reason is plain-you have seen Cinly one side, the dark side. Its more characteristic expression is that which betokens high nldp.es-nOble aims, sympathy and love for all men.
 BOTH FACES SEEN IN BIBLE REC
 ORDs.
 We find man in the Bible much the same aGs we fI11 him in the world and in tile church today. The Bible puts men down just as they lived, double sided; it records, but does not sanction sin. The two-faced nature is recog- nizsd; the photographs of the two faces are taken. It is picture gallery both of sinners and saint-but of saints who sinned Noah obeyed God when most men igncred Him, but we read that Noah once got beastly drunk Jacob was cne Of Gods chosen, and struggled with all his being for heav- ems blessing, and successfully; but Jacob was a dG-eiver when he got the better of his brother Esau David Was remarkable as one of the finest Of tbe Old Testament characters, but David's great sin is put down in black and white. Peter was passionately devoted to his Master, but in a weak moment lle denied Him with an oath. Paul towers head and shoulders above all other of the Bible characters, Christ excepted; but Paul quarreled with Barnabas. The best men of the Bible are not represented as other than hu- man. Do not forget that the Bible condemns in these men the sins it re- cords of them. When you think of David's sin, hear his cry for forgive ness, wrung from a heart bursting with penitence. Remember that Pet CTS denial was followed by a f1ood Of penftent tears. SIDE OF YOUR NATURE IS i
 WINNING?
 Oh, two-faced world, looking back 1 ward into eternities that are past and | looking forward into eternities to 1 come. thy glory and thy shame, thy | beauty and thy dcformity, will soCn all i pass away. How can man make the l most of thee while thou still renain- hi 0f what is right in thee, or cn the side i 0f what is wrong in thee?
 Oh, two-faced church, locking back l to the weak and beggarly and sinful | clements of the world from which thou 1 art called, and looking forward to the perfactiOns of Him who called thee, 5hou wilt one day be pure and slpotless IS He. How can we make the most If thee while thou art still imperfect by laughing at the feeble steps thou 1 akest as thou dost limp toward us to lelp us, CT by taking thine out i. stretched and kindly hand-and help ng as we are helped,
 Oh, Book that hast exposed the sins )f saints, what hast thou for the sin ul Of today? Hast thou not perfect md meuciful Christ for imperfect men fn an unmerciful world?
 In that double nature of ours, reader, 1 est the prophecies of eternity. Your ,wn soul whispers softly to you the ruths of the hidden future Your heart s the battle ground where mCmentous -ictOrieS are won and lest. Which idle Of your nature is winning? The | elfish, or the generous? The sinful, IT the hcly? The devilish, or the di- inc? 4 great scul was once about 10 espair in the agony Of conflict, when .e laid hold on divine help and cried, Thanks be to God which gfveth us he victory through our Lord Jesus 'hrist."