The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-01-01
= NORRIS roUNTY CHRONICLE, FRIDAY, JANUARY + fg0fH
EPwoRTH LEAGUE.
Jan. 81 .'The EkSnd Of Erovvth L Need
In 1904, Gene Mounting Watch
EnroIlment-Eph. ", lilo.


The growtlf set. forth by tie apostle
is twofold. 1t is the increase Of the per-
son in his Individual life of confidence
in Christ and Christly knowledge. The
end to be attained is the stature of
full grown manhood in spirit. This is
the maturity of Christian faith and ex-,
perience. Not that any two persons
will be exactly alike any more than
two full grown men are physically
alike. Variety in religious experience
and knowledge will be marked. Uni
formity Is no more to be desired nor
sought in spiritual life than in bodily
appearance Frederick as emperor of
Germany may prefer a bodyguard of
men all of whom shall be giants in
stature, but he will never succeed in
making all his subjects six feet tall.
I ought to grow up in Christ in all
things until am full grown
There is such a thing as family re-
semblance so that children show a gen
eral likeness in features and form to
each other and to parents. In some
cases this Is very marked. Sometimes
twins look so much alike that only init
mate friends can tell them apart. So
in spiritual matters. We come to be
and speak and think and do the same
as Christ and God; our Father. Our
resemblance to each other and to Him
increases as we go on in this way of
living. Yet must Jesus ever be our
elder brother, the first begotten of God.
We are privileged to grow up into
Him until we attain to the measure of
the stature of His fullness
Beside this personal and individual
growth there is community life in
which we have part The body of
Christ it is called by Paul 1t is COM
posed of all those who love and serve
Him. He is described as the head, and
all Others appear as parts of the body.
This is a favorite figure of speech with
the apostle. He regards some as eyes.
others as ears or hands or feet. Each
has some place and some part to per
form in the church No one is to de-
spise another because his appointed
work is not the same as that others
Each is to esteem and honor the other.
The work of each is needful for the
success of all.
Personal advance and growth can
only be in union with the progress of
all the rest
The growth needed by each in 1904
is such as shall best develop a sym
metrical personality and united
church. Special needs peculiar to each
case must be studied by each one for
himself Careful self examination will
be required for this. In some particu-
lars all are alike and require the same
things. As in the body all parts are
sustained and nourished in common
and disease in one part affects all.
while strength in one part assails all
others to maintain health. so in the
church of Jesus Christ there are graces
and gifts of which all partake and to
which each must contribute.
1t may be well to itemize some par
ticular needs.
First-I need to grow in steadiness
of aim. l am Christ's. | must hold
steady inside to that one purpose to be
like Him, to be His in every way and
everywhere and at all times. This is
the inner life. a
Second.-I must grow more skillful
in His work to speak and do for Him
in all ways possible
Third must grow in knowledge of
Him and His world
FOURTH must grow in ability to
get and give for Him and His.