The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-02
OUR RELIGIOUS CONTEMPORARIES.

Stephen means "crown. In the SAD
tra sedy enacted outside the walls OF Je-
rusalem on the day when Stephen gave
up his life. a faith
THE MARTYR FIJI witness for the
AND THE CROWN. truth. we have ex-
hibited the very
crown of Christian fidelity. The apostle
Paul never forgot the part he played In
that fatal enactment When called by
the divine voice to go "far hence unto the
Centifes'' at once there came croWdins
Upon his thoughts the day when the
blood of thy martyr Stephen was sheo
it was then that 81 also was standing cS.
consenting unto his death, and Kept the
raiment of them that slew him. This
connection with Stephen had shaping
influence upon the apostles life. AS ALL
justine has we'll said. Had there not
been a Stephen. there had not been
Paul" From the hour of Stephens mar
tyrdom, the goads of conscience began
to prick the heart of Saul. the perSecu-
tor. till, on the way to Damascus. ne
Welded himself to the risen Jesus. with
the words. what wilt thou have mo tc
do. Lord?'-Religious Herald.
Lent is a season of retirement It is a
special opportunity for seif-denial. fos
self-discipline, for the exercise OF self
control. But 1t
THE SIGNIFICANCE is not as mere
OF LENT. self cultivators,
mere lovers of q
higher manhood, to make ourselves mar
tyrs or saints. It is as servants Of God.
as followers Of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that we are to use the period and season
TO bring under the body and practice hab-
its of submissions: to bring every thought
of our heart and every effort Of our being
into captivity to the law of Christ. Mere
self-denial. abstinence or fasting Is
wholesome thing But all that may bs
done from a wrong motive-for strife and
cebate-and not in the fear of God as an
act of submission. And God only can
nudge of it It is not for the church, the
rector, the bishop, or the general world
to pronounce on its worthlness. 1t IS
Between the soul and God. And we are
to anoint the head and wash tho face.
put off every show of sanctimonisusness.
and be clothed with decency and pro-
priety.-Southern Churchman.
The head In the sunlight. and the feet
in the miry world is a. picture Of the
Christian life. It is ours to walk where
the paths are
a LESSON FROM soflinG ard
THE WEATHER. sometimes trea-
cherous. It il
not always easy to pick our steps and
find a footing firm and safe. But abovs
is the air of reason, and truth. of faith
and high purpose. And over all is the
sunlight of Gods love. spread far across
the heavens. coming down to us with
bidding and promise. It is the light of
heaven on the darkness and peril of the
world. showing US the one safe path.
This is the way, walk ye therein
AS long as we live we shall have to
walk in the world. Duty and care there
will be, covered dangers. miry paths.
stepping stones to find. streams to cross:
these are our perplexities, our problems.
cur anxious questions But overhead wo
always have good weather. Some tha2
have no faith see only what is below,
but those that look up find heaven
unclouded. a Sun of Righteousness, and
beams OF golden light, to cheer and COM
fert and inspire, and brilliant skies that
promise the day when the sun will never
so down.-Central Presbyterian.