The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-12-09
A SERMON FOR SUNDAY
AN ELOQUENT DISCOURSE ENTITLED.
KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST"
The Rev. Winfield scot Baer Tells Those
Who Would Receive Ligh, That They
Must Exercise Self Control ana saeri-
lice Pleasure To the WORK.

BROOKLYN. " Y-The Rev. Winfield
Scott Baer. rector OF -. Georges Church,
preached sunday morning On KNOWLEDGE
of Christ" He took his text from Philip
plans nj. s: II count all things bat loss Tor
the excellency oi the knowledge Of Christ
Jesus my Lord" Mr. Baer sand among
other things:
A quarter OF a century had passed since
Paul on the way 10 Damascus saw great
/ light. since he who was the prosecutor OF
the church became Apostle 10 the Gentlles:
They were years of mental and spiritual
growth. OF missionary zeal and activity. OF
suffering and privation, and beyond that OF
ioy and rladness which no man could tell.
Now, looking back over his lie from
prison in Rome he passed Judgment upon
hls gam and loss There was no tinge of
despondency which might have come from
age OF weakness, no touch OF bitterness
showing that the iron might have entered
into hls soul. but with the oalmness of
judge and the iervor Of seeker after
truth. he cried: II count all things but
loss for the excellencv OF the knowledge Of
Christ Jesus my Lord.
There are many kinds OF knowledge,
gained in different methods and ways.
Some comes through exercise Of memory;
some through careful observation OF the
facts OF nature: some by experiment IN the
laboratory; some bv careful reading Of the
past and wise Judgment upon 1t; much
from the careful study OF ourselves. In
varying degrees. these all are precious. and
they are gwen only for price. The school
system OF which We are proud Is costly.
/ The vast expenditure OF money is but an
item in the cost. Energy, time, thought
Of myriads interested IN the work of knowl-
edge and IN training those committed 10
their care harder far than hearing lessons
: from q book. The years OF school. the
i hours OF study and practice, the physical
Il Il ah.1Y
, be on the street o. IN the field, all these
, must be counted iD. We are almost disap-
/ pointed when we do not read among the
( honoTs OF college commencement some men.
tIon OF giits Of money to enable the col
!ege 10 pursue truth, and give II out 70
/ those who seek It; and here also are time
and labor and research SO those who
would receive the full benefit of the prof
| fered knowledge must exercise seii-oontroi,
sacrifice play and pleasure 10 the work.
This A. but the beginning OF knowledge
In every realm Of life men seek # hapy
/ they may find. The borders of the un-
known are being pushed back day by day,
and the light OF truth Is seen and known
over ever wider tracts In scientihc re.
search. invention. exploration Of the
earth knowledge of society, knowledge OF
mind. men are thinking. working, gaining
knowledge. They pay the cost The ice
of the north. could IL speak, would tell OF
those who sought the pole. merely, that
they might know the Jungles OF Asia and
the forests OF Africa are known 10 us from
the traveller; missionary. scientist. soldier,
seeker after gold. with their different mo-
tives impellng them. they bring forth
knowledge fox the world. Human trials,
pIivations and death have been paid for
that knowledge. Few as they take u,
think Of the price at which II ls purchased.
There are degrees OF worth IN knowl.
al. ,.g1 Iae 49, ha h,,se, IN.
in Il contains most interest for US. Per
so3s are the highest facts; the knowledge
of persons is the highest knowledge. II -
n wonderful story which science tells us OF
the development Of the world. Ii Is a more
living story for US to know OF the develop
pent Of mankind; hence, history, biogTa-
ply and social matters have "A deeper in
terest for US Nor is 1t an easy matter 20
read the past or the present. From the
same chemical ingredients we expect the
same results Personality may conceal or
may reveal itself by It's words and deeds.
None OF Us needs 10 be Jekyll and HYDE
10 appreciate that he Is not always clear
rs crystal. 70 be read by all the world.
Deeds may belle the heart None Of ms
knows another perfectly porhaps we do
not know ourselves. The mathematical
table we know bun the knowledge of man
kind Is higher, and more secret and diff
cult 10 gain.
l. study Of man he our true study, then
the study Of the hest Is our wise part.
How foolish for the student IN art 10
study the chrome when the masterpiece
is before his eye Why strive 10 read by
light Of lamp when the glorious sun IN the
heaven foods the earth with light! Seek
the nOblost. and learn OF him. Ii was this
which Paul was doing. The desire oi his
heart. the end Of has thought, the goal Of
bIs purpose was that he might know
fl,.- r. sNat L.. sg..1l Ill
things but los-.
There has been loss in Pauls life ne he
gained ths knowledge. Loss of money,
position, friendship; bitterly hated by his
peoulo. and now loss Of liberty os captive
az Rome But these he counted loss for
the knowledge OF Christ.
This was uore than knowledge Of the
facts Gf Christ's lie; more than an ac-
krowiejgment of has past and present high
dignity an the snirtual world, more than
n recognition OF the place OF Christ in
Code work for man. One might know al
/ this, yet not know Christ a. Paul lonCed
J 20 know, IN the communion OF friendship,
in the inspiration Of Christ within. IN the
power OF Christ raising him from sin u
Righteousness. making him y partaker oi
4 lis own liie, 20 that he could say Il live,
yC, not 4 but Christ lIveth ir me-
We may not follow Pauls intellectual
+ fights nor gaze with his vision al tho mys.
tCrIcs which are unveiled. But we may
know the purpose OF God f0r us which IL
shat We shall seek the truth OF life. This
Is found in Christ. TO know Him is the
privilege Of all There j. no exclusive
c,as. Ct Tieh OF poor. but the knowledge j.
open 30 an who are willing 20 take Il ae II
can be taught, aad are willing 20 pay The
pTce.
This kuow,cdge Of Christ can be known
! but partially through reading o. the skies
/ above O: :ho Scriptures beneath. MANY
/ through these come 20 a knowledge oi God
BG: such study u too easy a school ior
I character - We strive 20 know The living
/ loving God.
Oae nas told OF the search for the snow
/ white bird 81 truth. How after weary
. )ourueyIuss. tolls. temptations. struggle
at last IN the hour Of death a glimpse oil
: the PASSING creature is given and feather
/ dr0rpcd rom ne wing is grasped by tbC
dying man No such cold truth - that
4 DO We seek. II 10 the knowledge oi the liv
3ng person. Christ Jesus, our lord. Hc
can he known truly only througn svmpa
! thy. kindness oi mind and hear. and lEei
/ through personal experience.
For 81 cess in any pursuit Of truth therr
. must BE- deuTC. concentration. work and
patience. There must be the dcsiTe impel
I hng the sear,hor the concentration of en-
? srgies on the pursuit; study Of the laws o.
The subject. willingness TO serve IN the hal
, oi patience ere passing INTO the palace ci
yleGom il is u1reasOnab,e ~ expect that
The highest knowledge Ci man. The knOwl
I edge ol Eie. can be secuIcd without payInl
The prce
F6r - tncfc j. needed desire which
4