The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-01-08
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvOR.
Topic For the Week Beginning Jal


Topic For the Week Beginning Jan
1O-Comment by Rev. 8. h. Doyle.
Topic--What are some tests of repent
ance2-Luke iii, STA; Ps. Ii. iii.
John the Baptist was the forerunner
of Christ. He came to prepare the
way Of the Lord, and he did 1t by
preaching the doctrine of repentance
from sin. But true repentance not only
includes sorrow for sin, but the giving
up OF sin. In repentance sinner, ''out
of true sense of his sin and full ap-
probation Of the mercy of God In
Christ, doth with grief and hatred for
his sin turn from 1t unto God, with
full purpose of and endeavor after a
new obedience" The Jews In Johns
day claimed that they had sought shell
ter from the wrath of God, and John
called upon them to prove 1t by bring
ing forth works worthy of repent
ance." Repentance means not only a
changed inward life, but also chang
ed outward life. We prove our repent
ance of sin by giving up sin. ',The
wicked forsakes his way and the I'M
SA6AkCVO6 huAA LIS LuOuEulS WnCA
they repent and turn from sin unto
God.
Under the preaching of John many
were convicted of sin and cried out
unto him, "What shall we dor" sThe
people asked him, saying What shall
we do, then?" He told them to be I'M
selfish. 'He that hath two coats. let
him impart to him that hath none,
and he that hath meat, let him do the
same" John prescribes no senseiess
penance, but the kindly exercise of I'M
selfish service toward others in life.
The publicans said, What shall we
do?" and John replied, Exact no more
than that which is appointed you"
The publicans were the tax collectors
under the Roman government. Their
besetting sin was theft. John calls
upon them to give up stealing and to
be honest. Then came the soldiers,
saying, 'sWhat shall we do?" and John
replied, "Do violence to no man. nei-
Their accuse any falsely, and be content
of their duties they exercised undue
brutality. frequently made false accu-
sations against men and caused trou-
BILE concerning their wages. Hence
John calls upon them to give up their
besetting sins. And these illustrations
answer the inquiry of the topic. The
test of mans repentance is his will
ingness to give up 'the sin that so
easily besets him. The people, the
publicans, the soldiers, were not guilty
of the same offenses. Their sins diff
fered according to their temperaments
and professions. But each was called
upon to give up the sin that was pecul-
lar to him. This is the only test of re-
pentance. "By their fruits We shall
know them"
But In the experience of David 1t Is
also suggested that service in the in
terest of others Is "a work worthy of
repentance" Restore unto me-" says
the psalmist, "the joy of Thy salvation
and uphold me with Thy free spirit.
Then will 1 teach transgressors Thy
ways, and sinners shall be converted
unto Thee" If truly repentant we be-
come interested in the repentance Of
others. The saved man wants to help
save some one else. This Is Gods plan.
He saves us that we may help save
others. If repentant let US prove 1t by
our personal abandonment Of sin and
interest In the spiritual welfare Of
others.
BIBLE READINGS.
lisa. i, 1918; ", 6, 7; Matt. vii, 1920;
Luke xix. ITO; John l, 1912; XIV, Is;
Acts ii, 374O; lii, 1921; XVI. 10. 20;
Rom. Ii, Ill; II Cor. vii, S-11.