The Indianapolis journal., 1902-04-27

ana sooner or later recognize ltS TOydl
supremacy. 1t overcomes hatred and ava
rice and ambition. 1t can transform sor-
row into joy. Jain into pleasure and loss
into gain. 1t can renounce all things. yes,
give Up life itself, and yet rejoice in its
sacrifices. Where love dwells there
the angels of content, peace. joy and de-
light. 1t can make a paradise in the will
derness and a feast in the house OF pow
erty. 1t glorifes the lowiest lot purifes
the heart in which it dwells, ennobles life
by its service makes hard tasks easy and
bitter things sweet. 1t gives to life its
sweetest raptures and its most exquisite
joys, so that men would rather have love
with weeping and pain than be without it
and live a painless and fearless existence.
Love is the mightiest and most beneficent
force in the world. Its bonds are the most
enduring. its work the most glorious. IL
transforms everything il touches. The
heart in which it dwells sees all things
in a new light, "such as never fell on land
or sea" In the family it's reign makes
the earthly home the dearest spot on earth.
In society it is the regenerator. peacemaker
and ruler whose deeds are prophecies and
foreshadows of coming time. when, un-
shall reach its golden age.
Romance and poetry through all past CEN
turies have never wearied in picturing the
sorrows and joys. or in singing the glories
and triumphs of love. Its tragedies, its
sufferings and its victories represent all
that is greatest in history and most thrill
ing in literature. AS ii is among us IL is
often unwise. selfish, impure and degraded.
...@I.
misery and discomfort Even duty would
be irksome and righteousness yoke Of
bondage. But love, as We know it, i'm its
best estate in man is like love In God
Were it no so the word would have no
meaning as applied to Him. 1t is because
we love that God can reveal himself to us
as a God of love. Love seeks the highest
good of the object of it's affection. There is
nothing in its power TO give which il will
withhold. 1t gives itself. The measure
of its devotion is self-sacrifce. 1t for
gives, ii pities, it seeks to WOO TO itself
the object of it's affection 1T is patient and
enduring. 1t is panied by indifference and
neglect. 1t is never satisfied until il is
loved in return. 1t is jealous of anything
that intervenes between it and the object
of its love. Its highest delight is in Civ
ing pleasure to the person loved.
Such, also, is the nature of the love of God
toward men. So, by all that is best in you
of pure affection, by all the tenderness and
yearning desire that you have felt toward
any human being, by all the ardor of love
that has led you to WOO another TO yourself
and to seek his good. you may know of the
love of God toward you.
INTENSITY OF GODS LOVE
Let US now look at the intensity of Gods
love as He himself has represented it TO us
in His word. Not few of you know what
parental love is, that strong and pure affec-
tion which was awakened in your heart
when children were begotten to you. All
children have certain attractiveness about
them, but none are so dear to the fathers
heart as his own. They are ever present in
his mind. Their sorrows and pains are his
For them he tolls and hopes and prays
Their dishonor crushes his heart, their sue
cesses fill him with joy. When sickness
smites them or death threatens them he
forgets his labors and ambitions to wait at
their bedsides. His wealth and power are
all at their service. And when death
smites them, what would he not give for
their restoration?
The cry OF David, coming down through
the centuries, still finds response in the
parental heart. Indifferent of the tidings Of
victory, unmindful of the fact that the
wicked revolt against his authority was
crushed and his throne secure his one
thought is for his fair, wayward son-"Oh,
my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom;
would God 1 had died for thee! oh, Absa-
lom, my son!" But mark what the Holy
Spirit saith: Like father pitieth his
children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear
Him." His affection is not less intense
than that which a father has for his child
1t is as father that He would have US ad-
dress Him. 'Our Father in heaven" is as
much better, broader and tenderer as the
heavens are above the earth.
Surprising parental love in intensity, and
certainly exceeding it in the quality of ten
derness, Is that of a mother. She was the
first to love her child begotten of her life.
The joy of beholding it and nourishing il
made her forget the agony and suffering of
the past. Her love for it was pure, tender
and self-sacrifcing. She gave herself to her
child. To see it smile and to receive its
caresses awoke her love to ecstacy, and yet
she was more delighted to give than to re-
ceive. For one kiss or caress she gave a
thousand in return Her love cannot fail.
When others forsake her children she clings
to them. When others despise them she
still clings and hopes. But God says, "As
one whom his mother comforteth so will 1
comfort you."
Remember, my friends. this love. HE
that loveth not knoweth not God" Love
Him in return. He is panied or grieved
when you fail to love Him. Open the door
of your heart. Christ has sought for every
chance TO enter in. He earnestly woos you.
He wore the crown of thorns that you
might be crowned. His hands were pierced.
and from His side flowed the last drop of
His blood for you. His words, His deeds,
His crown are all love, and l ask you to
submit to His gentle and perfect reign.