The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-17

:
bodies; the flesh must be broken down,
shbdued, overruled, refined. purihed. Ihls
~ not to be done by mutilation, nor py
the barbarous customs In ancient times
OF putting the knife into the jugular vein
and causing the body to die
1t Is to be a living sacrifice, every mem
Der complete. yet each member doing It's
work simply. lovingly, obediently The
whole body alive, but controlled. dtscip-
lined and turned to the use of Its high
est powers. This is the difference between
the Old Testament sacrifices and the sac
ritice required under the gospel
1t Is easy to kill bullock; easy to oHer
thousand rams; but We are called 10
the sptitful sacrifice OF being dead, yet
living, of passing through our own death
into the upper mystery-the broader mys-
terry of spiritual resurrection
Hence the folly Of monasticisms and
mutilnuon and laceratlon. and those starv-
irgs and contempt with which the body is
visited by merely mechanical disciplinari-
ans.
We are not to stop the ear, lest we
hear music. We are to open the ear and
say, Let me hear you; can Judge you
now. Are your tones pure? Is your mean
Ing sacred? Play on sing on. can dis
eliminate. can, and Will. reject the sug-
gestions Of evil but will also respond to
the tone OF purity and harmony.
We are not to hide ourselves away
from the recreations and amusements and
joys of life. But we arc to say. what
are you? What can you do? What is your
power? What scope and aim have your
Once we rode on level With you and
were dragged as by cart ropes behind
you; but now we are above you. We can
take you up and set your down, make a
convenience Of you. or use you for
blessing: but it Is impossible for you 80
to besege us by vicious Importantly as
to mako any conquest over US. We are
living sacrifices: not dead. but living
bodies, every drop of blood intact and
drop Of fire; and yet we live and pray.
TO this vocation are we called.
We are not any longer amputated men,
depleted or disabled men. We are full,
complete. crowned men, and have that
highest of all sovereignty-the sovereignty
of ourselves.
St. Paul's theology: He'll brings us TO
practical everyday conduct. Apostolic
metaphysics must end In human good be-
havior. Theology Is not O bubble In
words; 1t is an attainment in character.
We are not to rest until I'VE all come in
the unity Of the faith and Of the knowl-
~
man; unto the measure OF the stature
OF the fulnessiof Christ"
This sacrifice is to be wholly acceptable
unto God. which is your reasonable SER
vice''-the service of your reason,rln oth7
err words. There Is an act Of reason in 1t.
for 1t is the soul that here presents the
body.
Our God must be served in the spirit
and with the understanding. The more
we know Of Him and our duty. the more
reasonable 1t will appear. God does not
impose on us anything hard or unreason-
able.
The word Of. God does not leave out
the body in holy worship That is q rea-
sonable service which we are able to I'M,
derstand ana render ourselves. God deals
with us as with rational creatures, and
he'll have us so deal with Him. Thus
must the body be presented to God. heart.
soul and spirit.
Our reason must be sanctined. Reason
should be worshiper at that throne.
Reason should take off the covering from
It's lofty head and bow before the cross
In reverent obesance.
Nothing can be more consistent with
reason than that the work OF God should
glorify It's author We are not our own.
Made by His power and kept alive by
Ills spirit we are douby the property
OF the Lord by tho right Of our creation
and redemption It would be as unreal
sonable as 1t would be wicked not to live
to His glory and In strict obedience to
| His Will.
Iii the Jewish worship. Irrational crea
lures, such as lambs. bulls and goats
were offered in sacrifice. The Christian
| worship is the more rational, because
| performed according to the true intent
and meaning OF the highest law-the
| heart, mind and soul being engaged in
that service
He lives the life OF mailman. who
continues in open rebellion against His
Maker and His God. for in thus SHINING
he wrongs his own soul, chooses death
and rewards evil to himself.