, 1903-02-12
PHILOSOPHICAL NOTES,
The Universal Law Of Sacrifice.

"a Low u odSIAlS's B
1t is a common observation that all
life is vicarious. TIL strong feed on
the weak who in urn live upon the
sacrificed life of the less-favored than
they. The tree gives of its life TO
the leaves and the flower; and the
Hover i'll turn gives its life to the
fruit and from the sacrifice Of the
fruit the new tree enters upon its
course.
In all religious given for the
teaching OF infant human minds sac
ritice has been IL of the fundamen
tai principles. The blood of goats
and bullocks were offered as propiti
alton for the sins of men or for the
! purpose of di 'erting some dire disas.
ter, Often the sacrifice was IA thank
offering that God might lie thus
aware OF the rejoicing in the hearts
of men that He had heard aud m
swered prayers and humble portions
for relief in ii physical way.
After Il while as in the Christian
belief, the very Son of God Himself
was slain that Gods wrath might he
appeased. A very terrible wrath
must it have been which i'll the
mind of a perfect deity could only be
brought to the semblamce of peace
by the sacrifice and death of His own
well beloved Son. When one analvz-
es the story 1T seems strange indeed
but myrlads of human souls have
gone down to their graves rejoicing
that some oue had stepped forward
and agreed to take their punishment
in his own body and flesh. Few
little children would rejoice to see
some II take their punishment for
them but the terrible unrest caused
by the fear OF the burri ing hell has
made towards of us all.
When Damon and Pythias loved
each other So much that one was
ready to give his life for the other,
the worldly king forgave both and
asked that he might share their
friendship-but hat was a pagan
story A Christian (f) God is made
on other lines.
But there is another practical side
to this idea of sacrifice hal we may
bring down into our lives and the,
will be richer and fuller for it.
There is the idea of tile sacrifice
growing out Of love instead of fear
There is the idea of living for the
service of Others when every act is
not Tor the purpose of laying up
treasures either upon earth or in
heaven but or the helping of man.
When every act is u joyous giving of
the Lord in His service for the help
ing OF humanity-when nothing is
for the separated self but all is for
the Lord. 1t is natural to work for
ones self that reward may be enjoy.
ed either upon earth or in heaven,
1t is II step higher to work for the
good of family or friends or nation
but it is Christlike to work for hu-
manity, that instead of the personal
self gaining the good aud the reward
the whole Of humanity shall he up
lifted 10y the sacrifice. 1t is when
the PRAYER has not the sIightesi ,inRe
of s%eltshness in it, that the Lord
sends a speedy answer.
The Law of Sacrifice is the Law of
love and holds in itself the KEYS to
perpetual joy. The Law of Love is
the Law OF Giving at the separated
self that all selves may rejoice in the
gift.
If u mau would be a fellow worker
with God he eau do it by this daily
offering of every act, be it success or
failure, to the Lord rs sacriRca for
the good of others, Then do We
understand a little of the "joy Of the
Lord. Oliver G. SpRsR.