The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-26
TIE BLESSINGS OF CHRIST.

al
confortefl, Blessed are the meek, for
they shall inherit the earth. Blessed
are thew who do hunger and thirst altef
righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the nerciful. for they small
obtain mercy Blessed are the pure III
heart. for they shall see GOD. blesse"
are the peacemakers, for they shall be
ca1lod tho children Of God',-St. Matthew,
V. 8, 9.
It is the Master speaking. 1t Is inc
voice of the Chief Shepherd who thus de-
scrii,es His flock, and It is the sentence
by which We shall all be judged at the
last day.
Would we know what kind of people
Christmas ought to be? Would We know
the character Christians ought to
have? Would we know the out.
ward walk and inward habit OF
mind what become a follower OF
the Lord Jesus? Then ponder each SEN
teuce here and prove yourself by it
Blessedness comes not from outward
conditions, but from the state OIL tue
heart. It consists not in positions, ou'
in disposition Men are continually
irving Out in vain TO construct a stable
and happy community from persons VINO
are selfish. weak Their cry Is: Get
Your circumstances altered" Christs
cali is: Get yourself changed and an
things around you will be changed, "hea
the torch is lighted even the dark crystals
, in the cavern will sparkle.
blessed are the poor in spirit" thus
oil Z
the humble and lowly-minded, self-abased
He means those who are deeply con-
WINGED of their own sinfulness in Gods
sight. Like Abraham, who said:
am but dust and ashes: like Job, who
said: II abhor myself and repent
Blessed are all such! Humility is the
very first letter in the Christian alpha
bet. We must begin low, if we would
build high.
The Lord Jesus calls those blessed who
mourn He means those who sorrow
for sin and daily grieve over their own
shortcomings They trouble themselves
more about sin than about anything
else on earth The remembrance is
grieTOuS to then- ile puioeiA AZ "
tolerable. Blessed are all such! One
day they shall weep no more God small
wine all tears from their eyes and they
shall be comforted."
The Lord Jesus calls those blessed who
are meek. This implies great faith and
great self-control. 1t is an heroic quail
ity.
THEY shall inherit the earth This
earth. They in this life get most out
Of the world and its good things. For pas
sion and revenge are unhappy feelings
Neither covetous men nor the grave eau
inherit anything: they can but con-
sumo. Only contentment can possess
one grand glorious day they shall reign
with Him on the earth and IN heaven.
Blessed are they who hunger ana
thirst after righteousness. inns means
those who desire above all things to be
entirely conformed to the nina OF COO,
They long not to be rich or learned OF
great, but to be holy. All low aims, an
wrong desires, all feshly lusts which war
against the soul are TO be expelled ana
the heart and body made a temple Tor
the dwelling of the Holy Ghost.
They shall be filed Not with power
ar nrosperity. but with that righteous
ness which they cravcd. And TINS real
X includes every lesser good. Ihe
whole soul is thus satisfied; and nothing
else can do it III all the world IheS
shall have their desire, and will awake up
after Gods likeness and be satisfied with
II.
blessed are the merciful." He means
these who are full of thought and COM
passion towards others. They pity all
who are suffering either from sin or sor-
row and are tenoerly anxious to make
their sufferings less. They see IN the
afflicted and forlorn their Master Chllst'
and minister TO Him.
Mercy is near kin 10 love 1t is an
active virtue full of good works. 1t m
| n,,,6,s and defines justice and we. must
strain our powers to discover how best
| to helm those who need. Another at
tribute of mercy is giving.
| B,acsos are all such! Both IN TINS NE
| and In that 10 come they shall reap d
rich reward from God and man.
..Blassed are the pure in heart not not
only externally correct, Tut 'n"arois
holy. The moral N-raw shows an en-
tire harmony of the will with that as re-
vealed OF God The heart is the man.
| 1t is pure when it loves only that which
1t ought to love. Only the pure can see
a pure God. The impure, the vile, cannot
see Him. much less enjoy Him. They
90 not understand, they do not know the
meaning of His character. They are
color-blind.
When do we sec God? Here and now,
/ Just so far as ones heart is pure he sees
/ God. What a great privilege is this-to