The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-24
Topics in the Churches.
sUNDAY-sCHOOL LESSON AND CHRISTIAN
ENDEAVOR WORK.

Follow that which is good. Imitation merely
is not enough. Make the good of your fellow
men your constant pursuit, and let no injury
unworthiness en- their part turn you aside
from it,"
Rejoice evermore. The man Of the Philippian
dungeon had right 10 enjoin this. He had set
the example.
Pray without ceasing. The bird is not always
flying, but it is ready an instant to fly.
In everything give thanks. The ability to do
this is evidence of a life in the soul. 1t
is so completely out of the ordinary
ouench not the spirit; not in yourselves. as it
is usually interpreted. homely paraphrase
would be: Don't throw cold water on those who
moved by the spirit, speak in the congregation"
etc. BY doing so you will make the prophetic
gift and its public thing TO be despised.
Hold fast the good: SHOW yourselves good
money changers is said 10 have been an unwrit-
ten saying of Jesus The Christian is to show
skill in detecting the counterfeit. He is to ac-
cept only the good
Abstain from all appearance of evil The trans
lation is unfortunate. Avoidance of appear
ance'' is impossible Although IL is manifestly
wrong to necessarily shock and wound weak
consciences by asserting independence. The
command is. Abstain from every form of evil"
Spirit, soul and body; an exact and complete
analysis Of the human constitution is not here
attempted or suggested. To affirm it is TO make
the phrase. Go all fours The just
stand for the whole being.
Faithful is he; mo word he has spoken was
ever yet broken" The fidelity of God is the be-
levers surety. He can bank on IL.
holy kiss: kissing is an Oriental form OF
greeting. This is the sanctincation OF it. The
clasped hand. the right hand of Fellowship IL
| the Occidental form.
Well may this golden paragraph close with q
| benedcton. Grace. the divine favor surrounds
! the church like an atmosphere. 1t has the effec
| upon the church which the gulf stream has upor
| England 1t makes virtues spring and flourish
| 1t makes the church like a watered garden
| Grace is the source of JOY beauty and goodness
The strength and permanence of Christian 10,
should be just much in evidence now as in tn,
| age Of the apostles. The perishabIe evanescenc'
of sinful pleasure is in marked contrast TO tn,
staying quality of Christian contentment- Tn
latter is the greatest need of our day
Christian Joy is not end TO be sought. Tw,
times two ought not to be four. 1t is four TIL
| Christian ought not TO be joyful. He is joyful
| His state depends not upon his environment
1t rises from a hidden interior fountain--his low
toward God and trust in Him. In proportion Il
, the depth and clarity of this fountain will b
| the quality and quantity of his peace.
/ The deliberate, persistent choice of the true
right and pure. both in persons and things i
| the distinguishing mark of the Christian
| John Stuart Mill has structure upon TIT
| Christian character lacking in manly an
| chivalrous traits. "Quo Vadis," which may b.
considered faithful portraiture OF primitive an,
| ideal Christian character, is an answer to tn
| criticism. The heroic martyrdom of Christian
| forever shrives the disciples of Jesus from tn
| charge Of unmanliness.
The paragraph contains the ideal of churchill
| life in beautiful outline In proportion as tn
| current life attains to this ideal it will be at
| tractive and successful.