The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-04

aCCuSallOu 1 restore MIN
st. Luke xix, S.
There are persons to whom a religious
life seems smooth and easy. Free from
sordid and low inclinauons, cndued with
high aspirations. it appears as if they
were born saints
There are others to whom 1t is a hard
fight from the cradle to the grave-up-
hill toll all the way-and at the last it
seems as If they had only just kept their
ground.
How to lead the life divine, surround
cd by temptations from within and with
out; how to breathe freely the atmos-
phere of Heaven, while the feet are
cogged with earth; how, in fact, to lead
the life of Christ in this everyday work
ing world-ths is the problem.
That it can be done is shown, as in the
history Of Zaccheus. Zaccheus lived amid
very storm Of temptation, yet he con-
trived to be a servant to Christ and to
gain His blessing.
The hindrances Of Zaccheus were two
fold-circumstan and personal.
He was publican, a profession which
exposed him to constant temptation in
the pursuit of his ordinary business. He
was gatherer OF the Roman impost or
duties. No self-respecting Jew would
take an office which placed him in legal
and almost cordial relations with the
enemies of his people. The Office was
usually bought from the government,
and then to cover any loss that might be
incurred, all the overplus of the taxes
collected were retained. AS there were
no fixed charges, one can see easily how
elastic this rule might be. Here was a
constant temptation to overcharge and
cypress. The only redress was for the
taxpayer to appeal to the law. in which
ms chance was small, as both the Judge
and the official were protected by the
strong Roman government.
Another temptation was to be salts
fed with a low standard of morality.
ne standard Of right and wrong is
eternal in the heavens, unchangeablv one
and the same. But here on earth it is
pelpetually variable 1t is one in one
age or nation, another in another. He is
the wording who lives below that stand
ard; he is the servant of God who lives
above his age. Amongst publicans very
little would count for much hence the
constant lowering of the IDEAL
Zaccheus was also tempted to that
hardness in evil which comes from hav-
ing no character to sustain.
We can hardly imagine how vile In the
eye Of the Jews stood the man who ac-
cepted from the Romans This office. A
penitent publican could not enter the
Temple without the risk OF overhearins
the thanksgiving Of the Pharisee: God
[ thank Thee that am not as this pub
lican" Though high in Office and rich
in this worlds goods, he could not receive
the Master into his house, without the
1.lurmurs of the crowd He is gone to
eat with a man that is q sinner"
sinner? Why? The only proof was that
he was a publican!
Zaccheus may have done wrong often
and now remorse filed his heart. AS a
publican and as man he had lost self
respect and sin was made easy. Eut now
the Redeemer comes to Jericho and FAC
cheus desired to see Him. Zaccheus
was small of stature. and a crowd sur-
Rounded the Lord, therefore he ran be-
fore and climbed up into a sycamore tree.
We must not look on this as a nice act
Of curiosity. 1t was more of a religious
eXpedient, the outcome Of an intense
desire.
Each man lives his own life. We must
come to God first hand. IT we are tru-
ly in earnest we will (if need be- invent
peculiar means of getting over pecu-
liar difficulties. There are times when
the truest courage is shown in retreat
ing before temptation. There are 9th
ers when one must climb over the crowd
of difficulties which stand between the
soul and Christ, must run before and get
into the sycamore tree of solitude.
Observe Zaccheus' habit of restitution
Behold, Lord, I give This man so
maligned had been leading in secret a
religious life, according to the Mosaic
standard. And the Son of Man that
day vindicates him before them al-pub-
lican as he is he is a ''son of Abra ham,
We see from this incident the method
by which he had overcome the hardness,
and seltishness and covetousnes4 of his
position. There was decision III that
speech IT give" says Zacclieus. Il re-
store Freely pardoned and raised from
death to life, Zaccheus felt he could not
begin too soon to show whose he was and
Whom he served
How Christ meets all his desires! I'm
asked our Lord stops and speaks to
Zaccheus. Jnasked He offers Himself
to be guest in the house OF a sinner.
"Come down. for to-day l must abide
at thy house." Jesus was seeking Fac
cheus far more than Zaccheus was seek
ing Him.
We do not seek God-God is seeking U.S.
The Holy Spirit all pervading, never rest
ing, seeks the souls Of men. He waits
to enter and dwell in their hearts If they
will only receive Him. Behold, He says,
II stand at the door and knock: if any
man will hear My voice and open the