The Washington times., 1902-08-18

which may not be made the means of
leading us away from God. Take rest
and recreation, for example. They are
ncedful. yet they may cause us to de-
generate into a life of idleness and self
Indulgence. We have a class of idlers,
men and women. who eat bread they
have not earned. They are parasites on
the life and health and labor of others.
so there are others who are the slaves
of RIGHTEOUSNESS and intemperance.
which includes those who have fallen
through temptations to their physical
natures. Turn to the mental constitu
tion and we find that there is no faculty
or desire OF mind that may not be
abused We commit sins in which am
bition is a party, through the desire to
be useful. wise, and good. Yet how
easily ambition may overleap its useful
ness and degenerate into evil.
Sin Only to Be Forgiven.
"Firmness in conviction easily degcn-
crates into inexcusabIe obstinacy. Again
there are men and women who presume
upon the love uf God and deliberately
contemplate and commit sin because
they depend upon his subsequent mercy
and forgiveness. 1t is right to love God
and trust in omnipresent Providence.
but we should abstain from sin at all
times.
THE tempter may come into our reli-
g!ous thoughts for he is on every hand.
and comes to us in body. mind, and
spirit. But he does not tempt all alike.
He depends upon various things-upon
character. circumstances. or inherent
tendencies. Some are mere wayward
than others; some have very strong pas
sions, and some have strong leanings
from the path of integrity and goodness.
The rich have temptations different from
the poor. The rich think that because
OF their money and power they can he
Independent of the help of God. The
poor man burdened with want and suf-
fering is tempted to question the gra-
cious care and love OF God. But we
shall continue to be beset with tempta-
tion and unless we keep close to God we
shall be beset with sins
Fault Is With Ourselves.
Most important TO us ALL then, is
the proper means to meet and overcome
temptations. Paul teaches that the very
power that gives temptation also fur
nlShes the means of escape. So ii we
fail, the fault is not with God; it must
be with ourselves. The first means then
is to cherish noble aim or purpose in
life. We are lifted by this very fact
above the large class of temptations
that are low and sordid in their char
acter. Paul preached TO the Gentiles the
means to Withstand and overcome
temptations. We are responsible 10
God. and no matter how independent
we may be, we are dependent on God,
for it is ne that made us and keeps us
from day TO day and from hour 10 hour
1T viii help US to hare firm hold
upon moral ard spiritual truth. This
we may learn from various sources.
From cur conscience and from history.
Prayer is helpful, for by this we keep
ir spiritual communion with God
Blessed is the man that endureth
temptation for ne has character and
usefulness in life. and is conscious Of the
peace that comes to the man who lives
with ard for God, enduring temptation.
II means the highest excellence and
most beautiful character, which is peace
TO Us in this world and in the world to
como. The Apostle tells Us it means the
crown of life