St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1904-01-09

is behind of the af1ictiops OF Christ
Here is a beautiful thought, wonderful
thought. What sacred halo of dignity
it throws about the suffering OF the
Christian-Paul suffering to make COM
plete the suffering of Jesus! The atone
ment for sin upon the cross complete.
but the sufferings Of Jesus made COM
plete through His disciples! The suner-
ings of the disciples to make more enec-
tive the Gospel of atonement! No Won
der Paul could say he rejoiced in his SUI
ferings. The disciple surely Will always
find it dreary and hard to endure perse-
cution If self is the central thought ID
that suffering, but let the inspired ana
inspiring thought which Paul gives US
seize hold upon the heart, and instantly
a new light and joy burns within; there
is a higher purpose in the snnerlns'
there is a more blessed fruitage. Inc
trial and affection which it seems as
though we could not endure will become
easy and fulfill blessed ministry. Let
us seek for that experience OF Paul wnlcn
can say: II rejoice in my suner1ngs'
and fill up that which is behind OF the
Affections of Christ in my flesh LOT his
body's sake, which is the church. All
this was the meaning to Paul OF the
marks which he bore in his body. They
were the proofs of his discipleshlp; they
testified of the prophecy of Jesus that
His disciples should suffer persecution;
they were the proof of Divine favor and
fellowship, and were the evidence ol
that exalted privilege of filling out the
sufferings of Christ.
WE may bear in our bodies the
w marks of the Lord. we may SUI
fer for His sake, we may endure Dit
ter persecution, but oh, see what he
has borne for us! The crown OF thorns
pierced His brow, the nails tore through
| the tender flesh of hands and feet, the
soldiers spear was thrust into Ills
side! And this was all for you and
me, that sin might be punished and we
20 free. He became sin for us and en-
dured the awful darkness Of that dying
hour that we might become the right
eousness of God through Him. Thomas
wanted to put his finger in the nan
prints and thrust his hand into His SIDE
that he might be sure that 1t was IN
very truth his Lord. We do not need
the proof of the doubling Thomas, 1or
we know that our Redeeme1 llveth, put
oh! we do need to remember the marks
which Jesus bears. in His body for you
and for me. Those hands and those
feet. and that great bursting heart, were
never so beautiful as when they bore
your sins and mine and when the pre-
cious blood flowed from that riven side.
Sin has been washed away. but the
scars which sin made in His precious
body shall remain forever. These are
what He bore back to Heaven, and to
the eyes of the redeemed sinner there
is nothing more sacred or beautiful.
DIT what marks are we bearing for
| D our Lord? What is there in our
lives which is the evidence and proof
of our discipleship? Are we suffering
nothing, are we enduring no hardship
for His sake? Is human friendship
} counted dearer than that OF the Divine
. Lord and Master? Is the truth of the
Gospel of less weight and value thar
the wisdom and culture and refinement
of this world? Are the things OF this
life of so great importance that we must
/ spend all our time in the getting ane
| the enjoyment of them, with scarcely OF
never thought of the precious souls al
about us who are perishing in their sins
What marks are you bearing in your
body of discipleship? Is the mark o
| the cross which Jesus has given you tt
bear for Him livid and fresh in you
} shoulder, or have you laid aside thu
: cross to rest in ease? Are you feelin:
/ the TRUSTS of persecution, which jesus
> said should be the lot of His followers
: IL not. then consider carefully wherein
< lies your proof Of discipleship. II yo'
bear not your cross, Christ declares yo'
"are not worthy of Him." If you escap
persecution and difficulty and hardship
I by DENYING your Lord and refusing Y
bear testimony for Him in the home
i upon the street, in Office, shop and FAC
e tory, then hear your Lord say unto you
3 "Whosoever shall deny Me before men
. him will also deny before My Fathe
4 which is in Heaven In that vision
j John Of the Heavens, one OF the elder
/ asks. him: What are these which ar
: arrayed in white robes, and whenc
come they?" And John replies: "Si1
\ thou knowest. And he said to me
j These are they which came out OF grea
/ tribulation, and have washed thei
robes, and made them white in tn
: blood of the Lamb" ''Out through
great tribulation" Bearing the mark
. Of the Lord Jesus in their bodies
: Would we stand in the midst OF tina
y Ithron9 some day? It may be our priv
) lege. but cross-bearing must come be
. fore crown-wearing.
The Debt Of Love
i DR. Newell Dwight Hills says regard
e ing Gods love for His children and tn
: debt we owe to the influence OF tina
d love: "No words can describe Christ
e. enthusiasm for Gods children, to
:, whom He, had fitted up world
beautiful as this Standing upon tn
s corner Of the street. He watched tn
Q multitude go surging by, clothed i
r rags, races wan and gaunt, seared wit
y passion and sin, broken-hearted an
's disappointed; and watching. His hear
e. was moved with compassion and H
!: stretched out hands of loving hell