The Anaconda standard., 1899-04-10

1t is in the fact that John puts soul
prosperity side by side with health. Re
in health. even as thy soul prcspereth.'
Ii the soul prospers not, then health
prospers not. How is your health.
compared with your soul? This brings
us to the consideration of man in his
dual nature. First we find man has
two parts, one corporeal and earthly,
the other immaterial and spiritual.
Both depend on certain conditions for
health and prosperity. In the earthly.
food, exercise, pure air. cleanliness,
etc, are necessary to healthy condi-
ton, and man is healthy in proportion
to the attention paid to the conditions
of health. The natural is a type of the
spiritual. The soul must be fed, eXe--
cised. breathe pure air, kept clean, in
order to health and a prosperous con-
dition.
Second. we all agree that health IS
invaluable. We never properly value it
until it is lost If we would be healthy
we must obey the laws of health, or
lose it. Even so with the soul. The
spiritual man must obey the laws gov
erning his spiritual life or lose his soul,
and what shall it profit a man if lie
shall gain the whole world and lose mis-
own soul? How is your soul?' l am
anxious about this. l wish good things
for your body, but what of the soul?
Third. soul health is to be desired in
the church. The church is made UP of
spiritual life Without this life the
church is dead. Without this life, men
are dead. Soul sickness is sin. The
scripture applies the names of diseases
to certain sins. Solomon terms it the
plague of the hearts,. 1 Kings. viii, 3S
In drunkenness we find spiritual drop
sy, in envy a spiritual canker. Lust is
spiritual fever and leprosy. Apostasy
is the spiritual epilepsy or falling fits
Intermittent service to God is spiritual
fever and ague. Pride is a spiritual tu-
NOR Vainglory a spiritual itch. Tat
ting, spiritual cancer. These and many
more are diseases fastened upon the
soul, which, if not healed, will destroy.
We have only to apply the tests of the
great physician to learn if we have
them. Comparison with the way and
truth and life in Christ Jesus will re-
veal our spiritual sickness and show
the way of healing. I desire your soul
health. Jesus can heal you.
Fourth, in the analysis of this text,
however, we find truth that may
cause us to hesitate before expressing
it. Note carefully. John prays that
Gaius may be healthy. even as his soul
is. Would we wish this for our friends?
Would we desire it for ourselves?
THANK Gcd our bodies are not an in
dex of our souls. What loathsome crea-
lures some of us would appear if this
were true. Investigation proves the
existence of these soul diseases Be
loved, I wish that thou may prosper
and be in health So let us find.
Fifth, means Of recovery. Feed we'll
of good food. the soul grows on -he
word of truth. Attend to your Chris
tian duties. in service to God. Hear,
heed, have. Exercise the Christian
graces, and be perfect in every good
work. Breathe pure air, rise above the
smoke. draw nigh to God, live in His
atmosphere frequent the society of
good people. Here is the general rule.
IF we walk in the light as He is in the
light, we have fellowship one with an
other and the blood of Jesus Christ His
Son cleanesth us from all sim.
Trust in the blood. The blood of
Jesus is always pure. Living In Him.
live in Him. Be strong in the Lord and
in the power Of His might. Serve Him.
trust Him, love Him. He will do the
rest. May God bless and purify your
souls in Christ Jesus. Amen"