St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1904-01-02

Somehow, the idea has gotten abroad
aud fastened itself to the minds Of a
great many people that 10 let the cross
of Christ rule in the life means that BUSH
ness success ana ability to mingle in
the affairs of men will be curtailed if
not blasted. But true success cannot,
nor can the highest wisdom in secular
things, be found apart from God. Jo-
seph found it so in Egypt and became
the greatest statesman and most bril-
liant national executor and manager in
the world David may be cited-vic-
torious general, wise ruler, mighty
king. Daniel IN the heather court OF
the Babylonian king is another exam
pie of what God can do through con-
secrated, obedient servant. Never did
Satan coin a bigger falsehood or en-
deavor to give it wider currency than
that man if he would make a success
of his life must leave God out of the
reckoning. 1t is fatal and dangerous
fallacy which has carried thousands
upon thousands of souls upon the rocks
Of destruction. The cross of Christ
gives one his proper bearings, it puts
into right relationships with God and
man, and fits for and leads to success
which can only be measured by eternl-
ty. What bitter disappointment comes
to the soul which, counting the cross
of Christ as foolishness and bending
every energy and activity towards
the gaining of some earthly goal. finds
at last that the coveted prize is but
a gilded bauble! Yet there are thou
sands and tens of thousands who meet
just such sad disappointment. Had
they not despised the cross of Christ.
had they not rejected the reasonable
claims of God and His Christ, they
would have found in this life abiding
satisfaction and success, and would
have possessed q hope for the future
life which would have 6een as cheer
ing as the beacon light is to the mari
ner as he sails the treacherous seas.
TT OW can we arouse perishing souls
IL and bring them to realize that the
cross of Christ is the power OF God unto
salvation, and not foOlishness, as they
have supposed? Not by argument. Not
by trying to satisfy all the doubts and
questions which arise and obscure the
main point at issue, namely, that man
needs salvation and has been given
Saviour. One man with whom talked,
who protested to believe that the cross
of Christ was foolishness, wanted to dis
cuss the question of the inspiration OF
the Scriptures, the matter of miracles,
the account of the creation, with spe-
cial reference to Adam and Eve and the
Garden of Eden experiences, and finally
he wanted to compare the writings OF
Zoroaster, Confucius. Buddha, etc., with
the Bible 1t was hard work trying to
keep him pointed to the crucified Lord.
But that is where he needs to look be-
fore he can get all the other tangles
Strengthened out 1t is the only starting
point for the sinner. and if you cannot
get him to look in that direction, your
effort and your argument are wasted.
Yea, verify, the preaching Of the cross
is to them that are perishing foolish
ness" but nevertheless it is the truth
of God and will prevail. With Paul we
must say: Il am not ashamed of the
Gospel of Christ for it is the power OF
God unto salvation to every one that
believeth,", and we must preach that
and nothing else to the sinner, for, that
is the only message which will bring
him to the light and save his soul.
The cross of Christ! Oh, that the world
might look to it for deliverance from
sin! It is the crucified Lord which
should inspire the heart to song and
hold the eternal gratitude OF the
cleansed and redeemed sorl.
"Oh what is thy Beloved?
They oft inquire of me;
And what is my Beloved
So passing fair 1 see?
Is it the Heavenly splendor
In which He shines above?
His riches. and dominions,
That won my hearts best love?
"Oh. no! It's not His glories;
He's worthy of them all!
It's not the throne and scepter --
Before which angels fall!
view with heart exuiting
Each crown His head adorns;1
But, oh, He looks most lovely,
Wearing His crown Of ,thorns.
| I'm glad to see His raiment
Than snow more spotless white,
Refulgent with its brightness,
More dazzling than the light;
But more surprising lovely
His form appears to me,
When StrinDe1. and srnnrRed and hIe Qi9snAI