Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-12-29

NglOn OF SnTlSt tut tHe outsi>,o
over 900 pages of profound work, We are
turned back again to the easier argument
In Cbrist's behalf-the visible effect lie
has on life around. 1t was possible to
study Jesus in His own character Inc
crowd came that day to see Him and to
see Lazarus, whom He had raised IRON the
dead, Indeed, Lazarus, changed into new
life, was so strong an argument that ms
enemies would have killed him to silence
him.
And it is still the commonest methoo 10
explain away or to deny the effects OF 'e'
sus in the world. If He has laid hold on
people. we must find out how cilma'e aug
ancestry and customs have been the real
unliftinp agencies If He makes charac'
ter attractive and winsome, we talE about
disposition and training. That is. we want
Lazarus explained away unless mean
to acknowledge the power OF Christ, Inc
changed life is the argument when the
world finds most forceful. The world IS
interested, not in Christs theory, but IN
His success. That argument can be mage
in a large way. His influence can De
traced through the long stretch of years
Our own race and nation could be made
an illustration. Or the minds OF men could
be pointed to peoples only yesterday IN
savagerv and now lifted into well begun
civilization. [ read recently the life OF
James Chalmers, the missionary IN the
South Seas just after he became ac'
ouainted with the people one of his wife
friends, AS a mark of respect and affection,
brought her a piece Of human flesh, nicely
cooked, as a dainty for her own taoie'
They were often invited to cannibal teasts.
On a. new island only four years ago,
Chalmers was killed and his body eaten:
And the gospel of Christ, with the arts OF
civilization. has taken hold upon such PEG,
pie and make them fraternal and sale ana
helpful. There is no Christian island IN
the South Seas where voyager Is not
safe; there is no non Christian island where
he is safe
Il is life of hope. 1t has not yet re-
ceved its best things. The best times are
not past nor present, however glad they
may be. There are better things to come
out of the Fathers love as we 20 on IN the
Fathers world. And tins hope works int,
the sight of men in the form of cheer, OF
brightness, of encouragement. Some on.
asked the other day what ! thought OF
laughing Christians. It was new phrase
to me. We do not think much OF silly
Christians, | suppose, OF shallow, CHRIS
tians, whose iov compares with rca' Joy az
a giggle compares with laugh. But what
can one think of a Christian life whose
hope never comes out INTO the cheer ana
brightness Of a Joyous life J hcard
child say a little piece once, IN whlcn was
explained that one day in heaven, God be-
came weary of the dingnC Of the harps
and the singing of the angels, so He 81
fenced them all and sang a STRAIN OF music
Himself. and ere it had died away lie
caught it. threw about it beautiful piu'
mage and cast it into the air, and so the
sonrbrds came to earth. They are God 9
music sent into life. And arc we. other!
Who so well as we may catch the glad
strain of Joy and make our lives a gladden.,
ing influence in the world? And II instead
we droop and pine, and will not bear inc
sorrows as though they were, charged WIN
clad meaning from our Father. and will
not cast a radiance OF 10Y INTO othcr ilFes'
where is the changed life?
The Kings Of The Holy Roman Empire
we're crowned with triple crown, IN one
of which was nail Of the true cross And
in the triple GROWING which marks the
changed hfc. one bears the nail OF the
cross. For Suprcmely the changed Iltc IS
the life of love, and love means saclilrC,
love means service, love means hclpih''
ness. No man can see another's love save
as il shows itself IN the service Ot helpful.
ness it renders. When mon seek the SUI
preme example Of love they look upon a
figure which glori6ed the cross, winch hah
the nlelCp1 ndhHS anu lttb "hh H'"'
figure of One who came as a O. senger 81
glad tidlngi of pcace-lis feet beautiful
npon the mountains. but bloodstanea.
And love is the hid tact of that best lte,
coming into s,eht of others as heiplulness
and service. This IA the supreme mark OF
the Christian hfe--sucb a love as makes vs.
helpful among men for Chr't's sake. It
ia no mere pity Of other mems needs; 1t IS
no shallow sentiment which cannot bear tn
soc suffering. II is fAr deeper thing
than that It is the commanding motive m
all hfe--to serve II means laylnS out our
lives for that wherever they are lived.
Sometimes il demands large things, some
times it comes out in the daily, common
HE We may not do for men what they
want but we learn to do for them ~ one
measure what they need And so life be-
comes a constant help to others.
These are the PLAIN marks Of the
changed lie. which stands as argument
for Christ. Faith within which comes
out III view as falthiulncss everywhere
Hone. coming ont into view as cheerful
ness. encouragement. brightness. Love.
breaking out INTO service. Is Your ne so
tnply marked not bv fortunate birth, not
in shallow ways, but deeply and because
YOU have known HIM? II it Is, then YOU
IN your commonplace life arc HIS daily
argument, the Lazarus Of the presen! day,
drawing men to Him.