Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-03-16
THE REIGN or pEACE.

Ey Rev. $. N. Davidson.
The earnest expectation of the crea-
ture waiteth for the manifestation of
the son of God
For we know that the whole crea-
ton groweth and traveleth in pain to-
getner until uow.-Rop... viii, 1922.
Not untho yht of upon the part of
all creation l. that.
One far off Urine event.
To which II whole creation moves,
not of mankin- simply, but of beast,
and bird. and insect. and inanimate
creation as well
SO glorious, SO divine a theme is
the song of the poet, the burden of
the prophet. the discourse of the phil
osopher, that far off divine event.
which shall find a universal world Of
harmony. and peace, and rejoicing.
Let this SO glorious an end not be
thought of as something incredible.
or chimerical, or impossible of attain
ment.
Mankind change.
The world advances.
The beliefs and thouGhts-the pos
sessions-of yesterday are not those
of to-day, nor will those of to-day suI
flee Or lie morrow-wiU not, save
SO far as they partake of that knowl-
edge and body Of truth that are i'm
Terishable. Much passes away-be-
liefs, hopes, aims, ideas, opinions, Gus
toms, habits 1t may not appear so,
nevertheless it is so. And yet, it also
appears so, is seen and known to be
so. and in place of those laid aside
there come other higher, truer. and
more beftting the diviner character
of man.
And mankind loves to change. They
love 10 find growth and progress. They
love to be appealed TO by noble mo-
tives. 20 be moved by noble and yet
ooler impulses They love TO obtain
now ideas and conceptions of truth
and beauty. to become possessed of
finer intuitions, to obtain greater pow
er of achievement in things of intrin-
sic worth, to increase the range of
Intellectual and spiritual vision; this
upon higher planes, as well as that
they love to grow in power to become
Jt-oNs anu upIItSls anu uliltEHL III lilC
performance of their duties and in the
discharge of their obligations to their
fellow men.
The statement respecting the love
for change upon the part of mankind
the love for growth and advancement
is undeniable. 1t is a love that is
welcomed. IS deep seated and abid-
ting. 1t cannot be staid. Mankind
ctnnot go backward They must so
iol ward. Let us mark this desire for
activity upon the part of the human
race and. observing it, let us consider
that it needs only to be directed into
proper channels, to lie guided and
led by truth. by the Lord. and then
shall follow results incalculable for
blessing and for good Let us take
mankind at their best estate; let us
consider the good that is. Let us con-
slider the great advancement made in
passing from the AFFECT condition
which cEce mankind knew after the
fall to the state and condition obtain
Ing among mankind to-day and the de-
sire and power and possibility for
growth become altogether manifest
a sense of justice is known and
largely rules to-day where in the past
1t was unknown. or. for the most part.
disregarded Ii we consider that this
sense Of justice is Il growth--as are all
other human attainments-then we
shall be able more justly to estimate
all human progress and to be more
hopeful and eXpectant of future ad-
vancement. And we must be cxpectamt
of human growth and advancement in
all directions, in all things that per-
tain to a true life of man. Not only
as pertains TO all things of mans
own mind and life. but also as pertains
to his relation to and use of all things
of Great ion.
Here is a wide field for the cxer-
else of mans knowledge and discern
ment. and respecting which we are as
yet only upon the threshold l know
that we must be filled with astonish-
ment as we SEQ something of the
things awaiting us here. Especially
when we see and know that the lower
realms of creation grow out of and
are dependent upon the life of man.
for the external world is but the in
ternaI world of love and thought in
definitely expanded, and is changed
with the changing mind ard life OF
man.
We are to lock for the redemption
from Suffering and pain of the univer-
sal world of man and The lower forms
of creation and their dwelling togeth-
er in harmony and peace, which comes
to pass as mankind return to the Lord.
There is a return TO the Lord-a happy
return TO him. even though it be only
the beginning of q return. Neverthe-
less. 1t is n return. and is Indicative
of that blessed state and peaceful pic
ture whereof the prophet speaks in
his saying:
They shall not hurt nor destroy in
all my holy mountain, for the earth
shall be full of the knowledge of The
Lord as the waters cover the sea"
Amen.
THE FAMILY OF GOD.
BY Rev. 7. n. Hagerfy. n. D.
Has II pVaf. occurred n Won 10