The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1903-06-05
EPWORTH LEAGUE.
Topic For the Week Beginning June
z, "keep the Vision of Christ
Clear"-Text, Acts vii,
55, Sc; xvii, %.

/ What is seen depends as much on the
1t is less matter of eyesight than of
insight. Some are capable of seeing
only the outer shell of thing, while
others look far beyond the husk and
view all the inner meaning and power
wrapped up in the kernel. One reads
only words and never reaches the
depth of thought which words are
ture and sees only beautiful scene
and the skill with which the colors are
laid on the canvas, while another
standing by is all unconscious of the
technique and is absorbed in the pas
sionate life, the tragedy of existence,
which throbs through every brush
stroke and cries out for recognition by
some human heart struggling upward
into light and freedom.
Here lies the measureless difference
between the two groups of men given
in the pictures of the texts. Stephen
in the council saw what his listeners
could not see. He was the soberest
| tration was the most discerning He
recognized the trend and significance
of all Israelitish history from Moses to
Jesus of Nazareth. He clearly saw the
real spirit of his listeners and judges
was in nature the same as that which
had in all previous ages led their IA
theirs to oppose and prosecute the
/ nh Nv r.iu
ness. AS clearly also he saw the in
| finite superiority and worth of the Cos
pei of Christ above all their preten-
sions and outward show and knew by
a spirit quickened certainty like open
sight, that the truth should triumph.
He saw God and His glory. He saw
Jesus the one only true Man, estab-
lished with power at the right hand of
God 1t was moment of ecstasy, of
divine uplift, of heavenly insight. 1t
was a momentary glimpse only, but it
was enough 1t was the instant for
which all his previous life had made
preparation. He had for years reason
ed and believed; he now saw.
The worth of life lies largely in the
power we acquire to see the invisible
which lies all around us striving for
recognition through the visible forms
of existence. The real lies not on the
surface, but is revealed through all the
qualities of the visible. 1t speaks ever
in language of marvellous richness. To
catch the meaning we must learn the
code. No literary taste or scientific at
| tainment no wealth or beauty or
physical grace can master the secret.
If the richest gift of human existence
is ever obtained, it will come by the
power of spirit insight. The vision of
the Christ is beyond all other values
and stands alone in worth for our
! striving. 1t is not an empty dream,
not a fanatical fantasy, rhapsody of
an unbalanced brain. 1t is an ideal
| flashed with sun clear certainty on the
deepest soul nature, transforming the
one receiving it into its own likeness.
1t is the revelation of the divine nature
which reveals the possibilities open to
human nature of heavenly transforms
! ton.
Once seen, if only for an instant this
sight suf1ces for the artist soul OF the
Christian. Ever after the task is to
put into thought and feeling and will,
into look, speech and act, all that the
soul saw of the Christ when the heav-
ems were opened and Gods glory shone
out.
Seek the vision. Expect to see God
Look for Christ. Then study to speak
and show Him to all men. Be saved
by Him, then save others to Him.