The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-05-01
I'VE LOVE HIM."
Service In the Associate Reformed
Church by the Pastor, Rev. II. w.

Service In the Associate Reformed
Church by the Pastor, Rev. It. w.
Sloan.
Last Sunday was a beautiful day. and In
the morning religious services were held In
all our churches.
and all Joined In the union meeting, which
was held in the Methodist Church.
Mr.. Sloan, at the Associate Reformed
church, took for his subject, 1--WE Love Him" ."
members and 30 pleasantly commente upon
by visitors that we publish condensed skel-
eton OF what he said, and hope that the read.
or may be pleased within With IT. Mr.; sioan lis Is Do &C.
increase in numbers as his ability and his
earnestness become better known.
He said last Sunday:
It Is like light. 1t can not be pulled to pieces
like the flower, and each part named. Love
is capable Of no analysis. Every one knows
what love Is, and yet no one can tell just what
1t is. All love, in some sense posses knowl-
edge.
in the text-the Lord Jesus. The explanation
or power or goodness. Plato was wise. Caesor
was powerful, the angels are good, but these
things call not out our love for them. But
we can not be Indifferent to the spectacle Of
one loving us. living for as, pouring out his
life-blood for US, and 80 we love him.
Love Is the offspring OF love. 1--WE love Him
because He first loved u.s..
The particular thought to be emphasized Is,
How Love Expresses Itself.
1t does 1t by manifesting an obedient spirit.
Often did Christ refer to that evidence OF
ments; He that hath my commandments
and keepeth them. he 1t is that loveth me-"
Love for our Lord evidenced by submission
to his lordship.
regards no act OF ours, however praiseworthy
1t may appear and much 1t may cost usJ as an
evidence Of love II 1t contradicts Gods clear
ly expressed command.
When he says, do this or that, love literally
obeys. 1t is the soul-spirit that spares the
sheep and oxen when God commands that
they be slain.
No one can manifest love by perfect obedi-
ence. 1.-THE flesh is weak" But more love
may be manifest in an unsuccessful strug-
gle to do the right than is seen In the spotless
Innocence Of an angels untried life. This
world has no grander spectacle than that OF
the man or woman who lives and dies trying!
Love also expresses itself in reverent dis.
position.
The name of loved friend or of the wife, or
of the sainted father or mother, is spoken
with reverent respect, and q disrespect'
ful use OF their names ls resented. Why be-
IfChrist is loved, his name will be hallowad.
Peter profaned the name OF bis God, but 1t did
not indicate lack of love- His irreverence
wa an accident, not habit. 1t was out OF
harmony with the drift OF his life
An irreverent habit, such as persistent pro-
family, Ia entirely inconsistent Win love.
Love expresses itself in service for Christ.
Three times the Master asked Peter If he
loved him. and three times the apostles de.
clared he did. Then to test his love, Jesus
commanded him to take up the yoke OF Chris
tian service. Love for wife, children, country,
church, God Ia attested, not oy assertion, but
by service. The instinct OF the soul that has
passed from death unto life, is 10 declare lis
gratitude and love TO the Lord OF life In some
visible, substantial way.
Love looks for q chance to serve.
The last thought emphasized was that love
expresses itselfin giving. LET each man go
deep down into his own heart. Let him ask
what that mysterious longing means, which
we call love, whether to God or man, when
he has stripped from 1t all that Is ou tside and
accidental when he has taken from IL all
that IL mixed with 1t and perverts It, Not In
bis worst moments, but in his best, what did
that yearning mean? l say II meant the de-
sire to give" 1t was the desire TO give aims.
money, bread. service, self, something? Love
is the disposition to give-giving Is the life OF
love,