The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-03-07

THE REVEREND A. w. CLAXON,
Pastor of Grand Avenue Baptist Church.
mardments are not grievous." He said. in
| part: ~
Conduct is a fair transcription of the
inner life. This everyone win readily adj
nit. Ones actions foIm a perfect mirror,
highly polished. in which is reflected both
what is the inner life and whittier it is
tending. ..r
And this is the message of John in the
text we have selected Observance of
Gods commandmentS,.s- acquiescing in
them. both in teaching aand authority. in
the message of the text, are the very
Ingredients Of. Gods love in the heart.
Not that we obey wfthtevident reluctance
and even discouraging tardiness. but with
the heartiest Cheerfuiness and great
alacrity.
assent and withhold the more important
consent of the heart. but with the SUI
premest delight to the mind and marked
complacency of soul we hasten to bear
witness that the COMPARTMENT of the
Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes,
The life that is filled with all the full
ness OF God and the blessed word, AIKEN
In its entirety. are always as one. unani-
mouSiy agreed. The aspirings of the heart
find their stay and encouragement in the
divine word. And the divine word stimu-
"AEl CALCULATES oil IuH
noblest and -heavenward aspirings of the
human soul. The soul finds in the word
bread Tor its hunger, and the word en-
courages the hungry soul to eat bounti-
fully of the bread that cometh down from
heaven, to feast constantly upon the d.
vine nature.
The soul finds in the blessed old book
NOT only rivers that make glad the city
of God, but hiding places from the storm
coverts from the tempest, rivers in dry
places, shadoW of rocks in weary lands,
anu. n now nIl ffgaN u-HfI- 80 .AAIg
tiers to quench all its thirstings.
and on every page the inspired word
invites US to come and drink and be filled.
Yea, buy wine and milk without money
and without price. until we experience the
strange paradox I'm things spiritual that
the more we eat the more hungry we are.
virllity is greatly intensified, our Spiritual
senses quickened and our religious ac-
uvlt1es greatly accelerated by the CON
siant appreciation of the infinite pro-
Vlslons or divine grace.
Ihe more we eat the more temperate
we are. The more we drink the more ex-
eessive Is the thirst, and apparent the
anxious longingS for returns nj short in
ttnals and protracted stays at the satiat-
ing fountains of redeemiRg grace. Ths
more we drink in of this divine life and
na.ure me more sober we are. This is a
strange statement. but the truth OF II IN
our experiences is vastly more striking
tnan me statement, and infinitely moro
oiesse9 than we can put into words. But
AhBElN tNtdltu 10 me MIND
ana S~rac!ously experienced in the heart
on the prodigals return to God.
inSepardpIe from us are the things we
are doing. Hence the perfect mirror ra-
fecting what we are in being. The thrn-
Ger and the lightning. they come and they
80. but the stars and the stiffness are
always at home.
But obedience to the commandments
with the mott delightsome suhserviency
IS not more the very essence of divine
sOyS IN me heart than it is he outward
In this instance we take the fruit and
from 1t make our argument as to the
nature or the tree. or taste the water and
am, m the fountain sweet or salt.
In another instance Jesus argues 40
II were. from the tree to the fruit. or the
1crntain head to the distant streams and
e estt I.n when he SAWS: IF We love me
We VIII keep nv commandments
The text and the preceding limo of
tIouSnt make apparent at least three of
Inc essentials of a true and genuine re-
First, knowledge in the mind: second.
IGye in the heart; third. obedience in the
knowledge in the mind 10 what the
compass is 10 the shio-it noints the way
Love IN the heart is what the steam 10
IN the noiler; it propels onward in the way
obedience in the life is what the Wit
ness is to the court: it gives evidence of
tacts OF which some are not apurised. hears
witness TO a blessed life within that min
lsteIs great comfort. emulates the char
acter of Jesus and is conducive to the
reign of righteousness.
The knowledge of the word in tbe
mind is intellectual. The love in the heart
Is experimental and bears q double wit
that we have passed from death
unto life. md. second. that the word is
true from the beginning.
knowledge in the mind is important,
but experience in the heart is paramount.
As the steam power is of vastly more i'm
to the ship's safety thar the
so heart power and experience
are OF imminent concern in the religion of
Jesus. knowledge is power. but not al
ways.
plato knew the Golden Rule. but he did
not have the heart power to make it walk
the streets of Athens.
In the darkest night. except in storm,
the trained eye can see the north star and
without a compass keep the bearing of his
ship across the stormy deep.
And the regenerated heart. loving ar
can see Jesus. who is a sun, and
the bright morning star. and. without as
knowledge as some others think es- |
pilot his way over life's billowy
pecan. turbulent with successes and
stormy with defeats.
Thou art my oul's bright, morning |
star. And thou my rising scn.'
Out of the heart are the. issues of life.
And in the heart is found the acceptable