Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-07-29

duA hutN as NUN Oh the phNcE VI
Its inspiration for bi-contlnental work,
and of its third heaven joys as any
man. He devotes the first part of his
Epistle TO the Epheseians to a de-
lineation of its height and excellen-
cies. declaring that our present pow
ers are not sufficient TO see them, and
that the eyes of ones understanding
must be systematically enlightened to
know the riches of the glory of Gods
Inheritance in His saints. He sur
passes all philosophers and optimists
and poets in depicting ideals and pos
sibilities for men, and then at the
close of the third chapter carefully
details In order the steps by which
this life may be attained.
First, since he expects results that
are clearly superhuman, he prays that
his Ephesians may be strengthened
with might by Gods Spirit in the in
ner man. He has before told us that
the mighty working of the same power
that raised Jesus from the dead set
Him on high. above every name, the
same power is ready to be exercised
to usward. We are Knocked by no
ideals without the power of achieve
ment.
This is Gods first dealing with every
soul, and before conversion. Conver-
sion is to result in something higher
than God himself can create. some
thing as great as God and man to-
gether can make. There is TO be Co
operation. This process is wholly nat
ural and scientific. The babe to be-
come man must be strengthened in
the inner man by food thousands of
times; to become scholar must have
mind strengthened from without as
often. How different the man,
strengthened by God. is from the
weakness of himself Peter alone
cannot face the truth in the lips of a
servant girl; strengthened of God he
can face all Jerusalem. Christ told
this weak man that when he was con-
verified he should not only have
strength for himself. but enough to
strengthen his brethren.
This matter can be experimental on
by any one in regard to any daily duty
or personal work. but especially it is
meant to prepare one for the next step
Of spiritual life-yiz., exercising faith
enough to have Christ dwell in the
heart. Faith is too great an act to be
done alone, without a previous
strengthening by the spirit. Ii is a
kind of suicide. total, irreyersible, af-
fectionate surrender of ones self to
God. The beggar must dive out of the
realm Of life into that of death if he
would rise prince with his pearl of
great price.
This surrender is not a passive but
an active one. 1t is not surrender
of an empty fort, but of all the forces
inside, to be Immediately enlisted and
used to the utmost of their power on
the other side. This is what makes
faith so hard, and out of reach of
ones self unless aided by divine pow
er. 1t may be easy for a man to say,
Il give up. will cease fighting against
Cod but the hard thing is to hardly
enlist on the other side, put on the
uniform. face about, look up to an
other nag and charge against the side
he lately served But Paul knew
what he was advising the Ephesian
brethren, for he was directing them
according to his own experience When
he began his spiritual life he did not
wait to say, z surrender but the first
word was, Lord, what wilt Thou
have me to do?' He offered his SER
vices and awaited orders.
1t is only when the soul is Gods
own, in all its possible activities, that
He comes into it, But He is so eager
to come thai He is willing and anx.
ious to do the necessary preliminary
work of strengthening its powers.
After the indwelling of Christ in the
heart the subsequent work viii be
easy, and win have no unexpected fea.
lures except those of richness and
power.
1t is not possible to restate the next
stage OF development in words of
equal strength. But two things com.
pei attention. First, that the thor.
ough comprehension OF the length,
breadth, depth and height of the love
Of Christ passes all knowledge received
by other faculties. Since Gods essence
is love land not knowledge Or science),
of course therein win be the highest
possible life. Other ranges OF life are
created, and important, e. e., physical,
intellectual, yolitional; but the affec-
tional is highest This joins man to
God. He that dwelleth in love dwell
eth in God. and God In him.
oh, It's delight without alloy,
Jesus, to hear Thy name.
My spirit leaps with inward joy,
/ feel the sacred fame
The second thing thar compels atten-
ton is the due order Of development
Of the various faculties. 1t should be
love first, knowledge. etc, afterward.
After eomprehending the love of Christ
we may be filed in every other faculty
with all the fulness Of God. KnowI-
edge may grow FROM more to more.
beauty bloom, melody flow, and God
may work in as to will, because we
bring In HIS weakness In essential be
ing. all His attributes may be added to
the limit OF our capacity No one can
be filled in other faculties with all the
fulness Of God till he has been made