Arizona republican., 1901-03-04
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into the kingdom of God except by birth. If sons of God. there should be family resemblance. It is impossible to become the child of God without the fact becoming evident. If sons of God. there should be love for the rest of the family. The spectacle of divided household is always strange and un- natural This was illustrated by eX- amples in the family life of men and women. If sons of God, there should be devotion to our Fathers interest as we are being educated. and If sons Of God, we are in communication with those at home. Then was very perti- nently asked, How many are in com munion with heaven, when did you hear last, what was the news?" If sons of God. We are sustained by these at home and are going home some day where there will be a welcome for us. great family gathering.
 The second truth pointed out Is the fact of something greater awaiting us in heaven. If we are sons now. there will then oe "a glory not yet revealed. Daniel says wc shall shine as the sun, and John says We shall be like Him. We shall see Him as He is. and the redeemed race will look like gods.
 The third truth pointed out was "The effect that this coming promotion and glory should have on Gods child" The text is clear. And every enc that hath this hope in Him." etc. This hope" --whait hope? The hope of being like Christ and seeing Him.
 Some have not this hope--are satisfied with a plodding religion. Others say they will be satisfied to just get inside. But there are others who are not con- tent to be simply justified, but whose aim is purity ''as He is pure" Oh, tha Gods people everywhere should be- gin to pant ard cry out for this blessing Oh, to be pure even as he is pure. How can we be content to live without such blessing when we know that only the p',.'e in heart shall see Him and be like Him."
 Outline of sermon preached Sunday evening, March 3. at the First Church of Christ, Phoenix. Subject, Bel shazzer." Text, Dan. 5: 90.
 We may understand the character of God the better by study of His deal ings with mankind. Turning to the hfs- tory of the past. we find He was long suffering, not only towards individuals but nations as well. even the vilcst and most wicked. Study the Amorites Pharoah. Manassah. Nebuchadnezzer, Belshazzer and others. It is to the his tory and character of Belshazzer we want now to direction attention. He was the grandson of Nebuchadnezzer and lived about 300 years before Christ He was the ruler of magnificent king dom--Chaldea on the Emphratss and Tlgris. Babylon was the capitol the most magnificent city at that time of the world, containing temples. palaces, hanging gardens, etc Let us now notice briefly the character of the man and hence the kingdom, noted for the worship of Belus. Whatever reform had been made by Nebuchadnezzer not a vestage was left, The great temples of Belus. the god Of the soil, could be found everywhere. Idol worship was the religion of the state. It was noted for calamity. This naturally follows iGoiatry. revelry and banquetting not for day, but days. Night and day did the cup pass ard the canoe continue It was noted fer Ks daring ungodliness. So daring that the vessels of the tenn pie were used in their debaucheries and revclings We do not wonder the night of the text came. That night" Can We fix the night and the events? It was night of needless dissipation. All this when the renowned Cyrus was at their gates. Drinking to drunkenness, dancing and reveling with death at the door, Infatuated by sinful pleasures,