The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-02-23

tlLSP IrS US 70 II. PRECIOUS promises are
God promises to bless us in this life If
We will obey him. If thou wilt walk in
MY ways to keep Ny statutes and MY
iengthen thy days" God eh9 promises W to
bless US in the future If we obey him.
Blessed are they that do His command
ments, that they may have right to the
gates to the city" Such precious prom
ises should inspire us to obey God
promptly, fully and cheerfully.
BLESSED ARE THEY THAT DO HIS
COMMANDMENTS.
The Epworth League topic for Feb. %
Is found in | Samue! XIV, 22-23; King
III, IA; Revelations XXI, a. ITO obey
is better than Sacrifice"
This does not always appear the easiest
or most attractive way. Indeed, it is
often much easier to pay heavy forfeit
or incur severe penalty than to do the
straightforward, plain and simple duty.
1t takes more manhood to obey than to
give a costly sacrifice Many a person
will give $40 in cause rather than speak
word or be bothered to think of the
subject. Sacrifice is worship by proxy.
Obedience is personal service. Sacrifice
kills something else. Obedience kills
ones own self will and pride The one
presents things, while the other presents
self to God.
To obey is not to go through outward
the heart to recognize another's dues
and more than such assent of mind is
the consent of feeling that it is good to
do it, and we prefer such course to any
other one possible, The glad response
Of heart is the most valuable part of
all obedience. Lack of understanding
even misunderstanding, can be overlook
ed and mistakes of mind also, but wnere
the intention is not right, where love
is lacking and will is rebellious and
service is performed ggrudgingly, it is i'm
possible to pass it by. There must be
correction until there is complete change
of attitude
Great stress has been put in times past
on the personal element of the judge in
the adjustment of rewards and penalties
under the divine law, until it is to be
rather matter of caprice or favoritism
than Of justice mefcifully and lovingly
administered It is well sometimes to
look at the whole subject on it's natural
side, as the orderly working forces which
must Inevitably result IN certain ends.
We are made in a certain way, and are
surrounded by world in which the in
terWorklng of powers is fixed to move &C
cording to definite laws. Violation of these
laws brings disaster; obedience to them
brings prosperity. No special pleading
will alter results. No favoritisrn need be
expected. No caprices or prejudice can
be discovered. The merit system prevails
here
Obedience to spiritual law gives right to
it is the means by which the eternal life
is appropriated. 1t is the method by
which one enters through the gates into
the city. God loves the world with in
finite compassion, but not with lawless
disregard of moral distinctions. He gives
His only begotten Son that men may be
saved. But the provision of salvation is
restricted to those who will accept Him.
Those who perish not are the ''whoso-
ever believeth on Him" They have eter-
nal life because spiritual processes in
them produce that result as naturally as
vital processes in the body produce phys1-
cal life and health No one becomes good
by mere wishing. Jesus learned obedience
learned it through the things which He
suffered a bAfto~
NOTABLE DAYS OF THE WEEK.
Feb. % is the second Sunday in Lent.
1t IS also the anniversary of the birth in
1855 of Handel, the musical composer;
of Emma G. H. Willard, pioneer female
educator and author; of Bishop John H.
Vincent chief founder of the Interna-
uonal system of Sunday School lessons.
and of the Chautauqua series of educa-
ticnal institutions.
Feb. "a is the anniversary of the birth
in 1T72 Of William III. Crawford, Amer
lean statesman; of George William Cur
tbs, author, editor and lecturer, in 1924.
Feb. % is the anniversary of the birth
in 1746 of g. G.. Pinckney, American
statesman. He was author of Millions
for defense, but not one cent for tri-
butte" a reply to a demand from France
upon the United States for tribute.
Feb. rs is the anniversary Of the birth
of two eminent Frenchmen, Arago, as
tronomer. in 1856. and Victor Hugo, poet
and novelist, in 1902.
Feb. 27 is the anniversary of the birth
in 1897 of Henry w. Longfellow, Amer
lean poet and scholar.
Feb. % is the anniversary of the birth
in 1892 of Montague, French philosopher
and essayist of Mary LYONS, an eminent
American educator, in 1897.
Feb. 90 is the anniversary of the birth
in 1886 of Ann Lee founder of the Shak-
ers; also in 1892 Of Rossini, the Italian
musical composer.
Feb. % is honored in the Roman church
for St. Oswald, an Anglo-Saxon king of
the seventh century. and is the only saint
honored on this added day of leap years.