The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-09

spirit Of sonship. existing In Him. In
ideal measure. goes forth az from an
| OVERCOMING fountain into the disciple
who cieaves TO Him In the intimacy OF
/ a living faith.
Another part OF the explanation OF the
extraordinary efficacy Of Christ In the
inner life OF the disciple may he found In
His singulariy perfect union OF righteous
ness and compassion, OF imposing tudg-
ment upon sin and clemency toward the
sinner He rebukes with q rebuke that
cuts to the quick, all the unholy In us.
and at the same time He touches with
sympathy and suggestion OF helpfulness
which save from apathy and despair.
Our deep spiritual need Is thus met on all
sides.
THE MARVELLOUS POWER
AS Principal Card has said: The mar
velous power which Christ exerted In His
earthly life, and which through success
sive genersti His Gospel has exerted
on human breasts and lives is due above
all 10 this. that In Him the absolute
righteousness we reverence and the FOR
! giveness we need are blended In perfect
| unity In on actual living personality.
Probably we should not 60 astray II we
should interpret the atonement In Christ
in the light of this efficacious combina-
ton, regarding that term as standing IN
particular for the tribute to Righteousness
which in the historic Christ ever accom-
|
A still further part OF the explanation
of Christ's matchless power 10 purify
! and exalt the inner life OF the disciple
may be located In the fact that He unites
and reconciles in Himself the characters
OF brother and God We are made 10
feel that He shares with US: that lie Is
brotheriy Intimacy. Al the same time we
are apprixsd that He Ia transcendently
above us, mantled with glory which
antedated the world. possessed OF roy
atty, before which all earthly crowns fade
into insigniicance.
Each character adds charm to the 9TH
the brotherly relation appear all the
more gracious. and the brotherly relation
is made richer In promise of helpfulness
by association with the resources of lord
ship. The union of the two is naturally
the ground OF an unique spiritual
But' how.v.r ". NAV explain n. we
have the fact of the efficacy of Christ
as a Transforming and THANKSGIVING
power in the inner life of men. Close
discourse follows the testimony OF his
tory. and there Is no tinse Of obscority
in that testimony. In the apostolic lite
such an enthusiastic appreciation OF
Christ as fairly struggles for expression.
He is described as the one in whom II
pleased the Father that all fullness
should dwell: as the foundation for which
there is no substitute as the Lord OF the
living and the dead; as the Saviour who
]
interruption to light; as the one whose
face reveals the light of the knowledge
OF the glory of God; as the first and the
last and holding the keys of death and
Hades. Believers are described as the
body Of Christ: as having redemption and
cleansing from all sin through the blood
| u Christ; as walking in Christ and rooted
and built up in Him; as having Christ
made unto them wisdom and righteous
ness and sanctification; as being I'm
Christ new creatures; as ready to count
all things but loss for the excellency or
the knowledge of Christ; as finding in
Christ their all IN all.
NOT EXAGGERArIoN.
II is not exaggeration when the author
OF a recent magnetic volume. referring to
the overwhelming consciousness OF
Christ exhibited by the New Testament
scription; These writer's are Hooded
with Christ: their thoughts spontaneous
and deliberate their beliefs old and new:
their ideals and enthusiasms: their uplook
into heaven and their outlook upon the
earth are but the different versions or
the dominating soul of their Master. The
penetrated by His presence. 1t Is as If
some great river had been touched in
all its fountains and sweetened in all it's
so that henceforth the volume OF its wa
ters II but the moving body OF that
mighty fragrant spirit. The stream OF
the apostolic consciousness is thus filled
and transformed by Christ. The
New Testament writer's are in captivity
TO their Lord; they are His bond ser
wants. His empire over them Is some
thing amazing and without parallel In
human history
Well nigh vying with the witness Of
the New Testament writings is the testi-
mony contained In the hymns OF the ages
What penitence. what confidence what
thankfulness, what love and alteration
are voiced In these strains! From the
days OF Clement OF Alexandria down to
the latest addition to our hymnals the
ever-growinR volume of sacred verse has
been attesting the incomparable power of
Christ 10 illumine and transhgure the
inner life of men. And the notable fact
Il that these high strains are known not
10 be the product OF an ambitious and
fanciful idealism. Countless thousands
Of plain people find in them the M me-
dium 10 voice the sentiments which are
we'll up in their own hearts.
So the ages have been adding a historic
justification TO the works spoken of old
at Capernaum. trust that the gathered
testimony finds a ready response in our
hearts. and that to the slightest sugges-
tion OF turning away from the Master we
shall ever be swift 20 say with Peter:
Lord. 10 whom shall we go? Thou hast
the words Of eternal life"
CONFERENCE OF MINISTER'S.
on Saturday afternoon at O'Clock
Professor Sheldon addressed a conference
OF ministers OF oil denominations at the
Y. NJ c. A. speaking on the subject:
"Johannine Antitheses"
The conference was presided over by
Rev. John NJ Dowden. astor Of the
Plainheld Street Free Baptist church
Prayer was offered by Rev Archibald
McCord. pastor OF Plymouth Congrega-
tional church. An interesting discussion
followed the address and was partici-
pated I'm hy many Professor Sheldon's
treatment Of some ~ the great and char
acteristic thoughts of Johns Gospel was
thoroughly appreciated by the many min
listers present.