The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-21

S''A A$Aio AAsA AANi3lcs WHO wrote more tNan
any other on this subject, said: so to
love God with all the mind, might and
strength, and the neIghbor as ona SELF.
that out OF the fountain OF love to God
and love to man shall proceed all the
actions of hfe--thls il Christian perIer-
uon. Paul had substantially the same
laea, when. in another pllce he urged
disciples to put on 1.-THE bond of perfect
ness Cool, III: 1D, as tho regulating
agency in life.
MATURlNG-Th power OF 1--we 10 com.
plete the character Is set forth in another
form In verse II. Paul speaKs Of himself
as passing through various periods from
chlldnood up to manhood. declaring that
when he reached the latar state he rut
away the things that belonged 10 the FIR
mer state. He had outgfown them. fit
no desire for them, had no use for them.
His richer, fuller life required what the
child life could not supply, although as
a matter OF fact. the manhood had al
ready been enriched by that which was
no longer needed. BY this it is intended
to say that the earlier ministries 81 the
Christian religion about which the CO.
rinthians contended with jealous zeal, be-
longed to an immature religious life, ard
that something nober ana better. namely
love, was demanded In the aisher life.
Indeed, they must put away the earlier
and accept the later; thay must como un-
der the dominion lof love II they would
be mntured into ''the tUllness Of the
measure OF the stature nf p.rfect men In
Christ Jesus How ex..ilent ia that
grace which builds and strengthens Chris
uan manhood, rtpens its powers, and
sets It forth in all its div'aa glory.
BEHOLDING-Pau advances in the UNI
folding Of this theme, to pase known
the blessedness OF Him who has attnin-
ed the love state. the manhood Stature,
THIS = ne does by contras. a very eflec-
WA 1at1 ,rNl
and other scripture writer's. He sets the
conditions OF one VINO has not attained
over against the condition OF one who has
attained. The former GEES through
glass darkly. and knows only IN part,
The later sees clearly facs to face, and
knows as he s Is known Verse l2.i Or
translating this Language. love clears the
know spiritual things. This is In direct
aEtagonism with the old adage that love
Is blind. There can he no doubt that
the heart Is the organ of correct vision
lRom., x: 100 Many man has applied
himself to Investigations ever learning
put never able to come t. knowledge
OF the truth q Tim, iii: y, because no
was blinded by the state OF his heart
psalm, xiv; u And this IS the reason
that many wise men have erred allu re-
Jected what the simple, but loving dis
ciple has accepted (Aiatt., XII: l5.) Love
puts new life on every object. relation,
event. circumstance and opens up the
larger world in which God works for the
accomplishment OF his gracious purposes.
I SURPASsING-Hayi thus presented
love as. essential In the performance Of
praiseworthy deeds as victorious OYER
the evil that Is In the world, as enduring
when other coveted good fails. as perfect
Ing the character, bringing man to ma
turity and enabling him to see dis .inctiy.
Paul attempts one further copdem lati,n
OF love, by. comparing 1t with those two
other experiences with which It Is most
commonly associated, affirming that 1t is
the greatest OF the three. Faith fixes
upon the Divine word and assents to It's
utterances, assuming an attitude Of trust.
Hope fastens on future rewards. and
waits for them, assuming an attitude Of
expectancy But love regards the divine
perfections and the image Of these In
the creatures, and Is drawn out In be-
neyolent disposition and appropriate ac-
ton toward AL, In faith and hope man
Of God. In love he is a dispenser of that
which he has received, becoming God
like d John, ~: ~ ut Is more blessed
to give than to receive" (Aots, XXX: $50
lie who has the streams OF life flowing
outward Is restored to the divine IDEAL,
fore, love surpasses faith and hope,
RIlFLNCTIONs-Now We know what
the Christian religion in Its highest ex-.
preston is--that which Is offered to every
man and child. Not the mere perform
ance of certain rites and ceremonies. not
tho acceptance OF certain doctrines, not
the conformity to rules and regulations
although these may be helpful as to
well-nlgh be essential to tho attainment
OF the desired good, means to no endl,
but the love of God and man regulating
the conduct building the character. de-
Ye!0ping manhood, perfecting tho powers,
Why should any reject such a lief Why
should any prefer 1t to any earthly honor.
emolrment OF pleasure? We also know
" what heaven Is, Not gorgeous palaces
pI gold and Ivory, as we may have
thought IN our earlial, years, tho Inspired
p pc ~ only Of g glorious abidlng-placa
WAIen Jesus - preparing (John, xiv: 2,1
= place there Will be doubtless, hut there
= .ia pe an no heaven for him who docs not
!oYe. There, they who are gathered out
:, the lands shall parfectly love Goa
and haar e VIII w aPpsar perfectly ova
glow with perpetual devotion. 8, sbblessedd
atatei y an, amiable and excellent grace of
nat Wlllch shall lead To- endless blissf Z.