The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-06
OUR RELIGIOUS CoSTEN,PORA-

';!I3S.
To seek the Lord and His strength and
His face evermore is the first and highest
and most necessary thought or desire
that can enter the
SEEKING heart of man. The
THE LORD. greatest truth emu
merated by the Sa-
viour was: This is life everlasting to
know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus
Christ whom Thou has chosen. And the
great and overwhelming and all-absorb
ing business of the human being Is to
know the Father. The established bless
ing of Israels priest was: Bless US and
keep us. Make Thy face to SHINE upon
US, and be merciful unto us: lit up tbs
light of Thy countenance upon us, ana
give us peace.
How we are TO seek the Lord is The
great question. 1t is not through contro-
versial theology; it is not through human
learning, however dignifed or BIBLICAL,
it is not through church diSnltaries OF
ecclesiastical grand methods, or impress
Sive ceremonialS; it is not through llne
singing or excellent rhetoric; It is not
through societies and combinations. Al.
methods and means OF grace are vail
without the true spirit of devotion. With
out an honest and humble heart. The
more approved means will accomplish
only what the real and essential aim, pur-
pose and desire cOntemplateS- TareS VIII
not bring forth wheat. The motives de-
termine the character and results. NJ
one ever sought the Lord in vain with
an honest heart. And no one ever sough,
the Lord with a heart full of piOus anb.
ton and selfishness and found Him. Men
make Intellectual and spiritual idols
veritable works Of the hands of intellec-
tual and spiritual idoaterS that have
made the bloodshed among the so-callec
rc1l, of of --So1thaT.
Churchman.
The closing of one year and the opening
of another is suitable occasion for botL
retrospection and introspection. We
should review Oul
THE PAST AND past history an,
THE FUTURE. eN m ne o
hearts: and where
in we have failed in duty, or are now de
fective in Christian character and attain
ment, we should repent and amend. w,
should TASK Of the days that are past
"What record they have borne to heaN
Ell, and how they might have borne NOR,
welcome news.
But however we may lament miSspen
time and unemployed talent and oppo
tunity, we should not brood deSpondnSll
over that which is irreparable gone. Ii
the dead past bury its dead. No tears
vain E6SItI can NdoIi oul TIC icIpiH =
our past misdeed. The blood of Chris
alone can erase it.-Christian Advocate
Mr.. 3. Z. Johnson, in an article in tn
Religious Herald on Christmas entertail
ments in the Sunday-schools, says:
I'VE feel that Il gre.
GIVING mistake has been made
AND encouraS ins children
GETTING come to the Bible school
order that they might s,
thinGs-in order that they might be ben,
nted in some temporal way. We Z
working at our school on an enIire.
different principle, endeavoring to ma
all feel that they are, by their LIBERAL.
and by their earnest christian symp
thy, proving q blessing to others. IL
service of giving instead Of getting mig.
be instituted in every Bible school
church throughout the land to Splenu
advantage. Thus wholesome lessons "
be taught and the faculty OF giving q
veloped in such way as would prove
great advantage to our cause.
Christian education is the object wh!c
many of the great Christian churches l.
this and other lands have selected I,
especial effort at IT,
NEED OF opening of the
CHRISTIAN century. 1t is not d.
EDUCATION. ficult to see the +.
son for the genel
conveyance of attention on this objet
1t is fundamental, reaching the found
ton OF all human interests, the home,
ciety the commonwealth and the churc
IL is needed to save the youth OF Christi
homes from an education that is mat
REALISTIC and essentially irrelisious 1t
needed to replensh the ranks OF Christi
ministers and missionaries. Not any mo
colleges and universities are needed, b
more Christian academies that COZ.
nearer to the home, create the desire I
education in sections, and bring the boy
at an early age into obedience OF Chris
Increased endowmentS for some college.
presbyterial and church relations. al
local Christian schools are the things
be desred-Central Presbyterian.