Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-12-15
Advent, the Season of Christian
ldealism.


10 THE BELOVED: DEAR BRETHREN:
by the appreciated kindness of the
editors OF our city papers, have been
permitted to say few things of this
important season; not only to you but
to the public as we'll. And as the
season advances toward it's completion
in the joys of Christmas, have thought
OF it in the light expressed in the
heading of this article.
The effect upon society of time
like Advent, given over, as it is, to
cordial and reverend looking into the
future, is to keep our lives hopeful
and strong.
The teaching of our church DAYS
and seasons is quite obvious: OF
Advent, the teaching is of Chrtst's
fuller manifestation and final appear
ing. Advent, by pointing to those
sublime events which are yet to be,
declares that present duty finds its
explanation, and large part of it's
inspiration in the future. Advent is
part OF the churchs' way of teaching
the admitted principle that to-day
cannot be properly lived, without
practical recognition of yesterday and
tomorrow.
just now, we have to do with
Advent, the season when the church
lives in the future. The future is,
but partially yelled. Only that portion
is hidden which would injuriously
distract mems attention. AS much
OF 1T is revealed as will nerve them to
Go everything IN the best way, the
hardest things in the most courageous
way, the darkest things in the most
cheerful way, and the least things i'm
carefulneSs.
1T is made known that Christ will
come to sum-up creation, that even If
there be delay in His coming, there is
no uncertainty as to the fact. and
that every man, will have to stand his
trial at the bar of God.
10 know more than this-the hour
OF his coming, if it were distant,
would mean the quenching of the
spirit of watchfulness which has been
the armor of Gods people from the
beginning; or, if nigh at hand, a
paralysis of faculties necessary to the
discharge of the duties of life.
ldealism, the embracing of per-
lection by anticipation, is necessary
to human life. The ideal of balanced
character creates a world hero, a man
who would be at home among any
men of any age.
Abraham saw Christ's day. and was
glad; and it is because of this that his
is name which will be revered by
the ages yet to come: by means of it
he became a fellow of ours, influencing
our day as really, if not as fully as his
own.
Anyone who, living in the world of
actual people and things, fixes his eye
on what is to be in and through
Christ, will have wide path of light
where he lks-"foot-prints in the
sands of time"
How great is the need of the 4
modern woodland no part of it more /
Than our own-to live its Advent de-
youtly and thoroughly. A month
spent in contemplating God s purposes
for men and His special design for
this nation, and people, would have a
influence upon the body i
politic'as well as on personal life.
If only a small fraction of the (
people will respond to the )
Advent call, they will keep christian n
ldealism alive and will move the "a
actual one step nearer the ideal. 3
CHRIST cab come to His people onlNsI
when His people come to Him. AndM
because of this the church calls her H
voteries to ''cast away the works of II
darkness, and to put on the armor Of i:
light, now in the time of this mortal 81
life; that in the last day, when He iS
shall come in His glorious majesty to{#
Judge both the quick and the dead, III
we may rise TO the life immortal:,#
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Sd.s
mote 1T be. REV. A. V GoRRELL. q
"A SURE CURE FOR GROUP n