The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-15

 fact in human history For it Is sober truth to say that the establishment oS this kingdom is,
 ''The one far-off divine event
 Toward which the whole creation moves" While 1t is manifestly absurd to attempt to reduce this great truth to the terms of a logical definition, yet some effort to do so seems to be necessary for us. and may help us to recognize It's presenes among us.
 Farbalm says that the kingdom of God is the reign of God in men and through them over mankind by means of Ideals, of truths believed and loved. These great creative truths are two, the paternity of God and the sonship of man. Paul says 1t Is not meat and drink, but righteous ness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost
 Heavenly Mindedness.
 Laying aside all technical terms the Kingdom may be said to be a divine moves ment upon the individual soul, using all possible means to produce that tempeF which Is called heavenly mindedness. T will put my law in their minds and write 1t in their hearts" "The love of God ia shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
 This Kingdom beginning in the Inward life of the individual seeks to realize It.
 
 and is intended by the Lord to take pos- session of and transform every domain of human life, and finally to be consummated in an eternal and perfect state in ths other world. Let us not forget the fact that while the wise and prudent' ara attempting to define the kingdom, many babes and stockings" are entering it's opened door through unouestionlng faith.
 The Church.
 Q tF4I.- ly kingdom are not necessarily coincdent with the boundary lines of the church, yet we are right in association the king dom of God with the church. It was in- stituted 10 extend the Kingdom and until recreant to her trust she is the best equip- ped agency for this work. The orthodoxy of any denomination Is not to be finally determined by her ereedal confessions nor her pulpit utterances. but by her iniiuenca over men for righteousness as God eounts righteousness As long as her communi- cants or members seek to keep their in- ward thoughts and outward lives accept able in Gods sight, so long her candle- stick remains.
 The supreme question after all Is not what is the financial strength of the con | gregatIon, nor how rhetorical her preachs CT. nor how classical her music, but how far Ia God able to reach the conscience and affections of the congregation attend-
  pensed.
 The world, in the midst of it's tumoils. has well nigh lost sight of the presence of the Kingdom of God among us. Many will tell you they know nothing of such a kingdom, while others scofr at the thought of such a thing. Many church people know more of the baseball league than of the work of their own church, and keep more posted on the conflict Of txra dirfanf natfoua than tho movements of God in their own midst. Losing sight of the movements of His kingdom we lose the clue that interprets for us every movement in human history. Make more careful study of the things accomplished and the tasks in hand and | you will come to see that the only rational course to pursue Is to answer as far As your strength permits her clarion call for service. The one thing that transhgures human life is the presence among us of the living God whose loving heart beats | in sympathy with mans highest aspira- | tions, and cherishes tender pity for hu- man griefs and fears; whose ear drinks | in the melody of rolling spheres, yet catches the faintest whisper from the heart of trouble and hears the young ravens when they cry whose eye sur veys the outmost limit of creation, and yet notes the sparrow's fall; whose mighty hand upholds all worlds, yet wipes the tears from sorrows cheek; He moves among the discords of our sin-cursed race, and will not rest till He sends forth judgment to victory
 The one opportunity worth all others is yours: The kingdom of God Is at hand. Let us enter gladly. enjoy the heavenly fellowship 1t offers and hasten the time when the knowlege of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea-"