The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-28
MANS GREAT MISTAKE: ..,s I'll; s s:.;s:s
viction to begin on, but, like the Jews
of old. they will not come that they might

viction to begin on. but like the Jews
have life.
more about salvation and the claims OF
Christ than all the heather philosophers
who have ever lived. But how many have
ba Of his word the
and the touch of his spirit In their hearts.
and yet deliberately keep him from their
thought and heart and life. The Bethle-
hem innkeeper, we fear, will rise up in
Judgment against such, for he innocently
turned away stranger from his door,
but these are consciously turning away the
accredited and acknowledged Lord OF
1.-THE second reason. we presume, for
the innkeerer's action was that he
feared a naturally from commercial me in
fiuenced to leave. Appearances go a long
way in hotels. as in everything else. and
their reputation depends largely on the
character of the patronage. Such power
ty-stricken persons as Joseph and Mary
were sure to enrage or drive away some
of the richest friends of this popular
stopping place.
heart There are some things In the heart
and life incompatible with his presence.
and we recognize at once that Christ
must expel them, just as light Will dark
ness. Possibly there are no heart-guests
more responsible for closed doors against
Christ than questionable pleasures tllesl-
innate and legitimate business, and as
sociates who are unfriendly to Christ.
He is no enemy to innocent JOY or to an
Industrious. enterprising life, or to our
sweetest friendships, but none Of these
can remain in his presence If tainted with
sin, or occupying, in our affection, the
chief place.
How often is the. heart full of those
antagonistic elements of hate, envy,
that cursed heart-idol which arrays
itself against the eternal and uncreated
will, is sole occupant of the throneroom
and defies the entrance and the claims
of the Christ.
Fear of loss often shuts Christ out. 1t
was fear that 1t would not pay financially
to keep these poor travellers. especially
under the circumstances. With many
profitable applicants the innkeeper could
not risk those with little money and no
credit. But he did not know what he lost
in the transaction. He found his life in
selfish gain and comfort, but he lost the
very glory Of life through trying to save
on Christ as a beggar as he comes to
our hearts. when really he comes as the
King of Kings to bring to us his richest
and choicest blessings He comes not to
factor. He demands. IT is, true. our
heart affections, the surrender of our
wills, the Remuneration of all evil, and
this means sacrifice and self-denial, But
this life and that which is to come. 1t
is no loss to the young man. thirsting for
knowledge and fitness for life. who puts
the curb on his bouyant nature, and says
to pleasure, You must CO. and to youth.
full indulgence. .You cannot be tolerated
and to chances for secular emolument
| and social position. I reject you ALL
For when he stands on the summit
of VISIONS temple dome, and shouts ex-
celsior. while the self-indulgent are at the
base, we see his loss has been the highest
gain.
IN Christ's coming into our hearts as
Redeemer and King we lose our sins, our
| unrest. our doubts and our fears. He
brings to US spiritual light, and life, and
liberty. He transforms circumstances
making them. however untoward, our
servants. He gives us radiant. Joyous
hope of eternal life. He epnobles our
humblest OCCUPATIONS; he sanctifies our
every association; he lightens for us the
burdens of life. and makes US an inspira-
ton and a blessing to a sin-cursed and
Borrowing humanity. And what he does
for the individual he does for the world
as the results of his mission is NANTES,
wherever he has been welcomed"