Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-12-03
BUILDING A CHRISTIAN.
The Work Which Is Being Wrought
Out in the Workshop of the
Heavenly Father.

''I never let fools or BARNS see my
work until il is DONE" said famous
Scotch painter, who knew that no pro-
duction of human art could be rightly
Judged until it was completed l re-
member that when l first saw Cologne
cathedral, nearly so years ago, it had
stump and unimpressive appearance,
for IL was towerless. The next time
saw the edifice it was disfgured by
scanoldings on which workmen were
busy. But when, in the summer of
1894. j beheld the completed towers in
their flashing splendor, felt that II
written In marble.
That illustrates the way In which
the Master builds true Christian,
says Rev. Theodore L. Cuyler, d. D.,
in New York Observer. The Bible de-
clares that the Christian is "Christ's
workmanship created anew unto good
works" Anyone who looked at a COM
pany OF church members in a prayer
meeting or at a sacramento table.
might say that some of them were
quite imperfect specimens of work.
manship, as he could testify from in
innate acquaintance. Very true: but
II that same person wished to pur-
chase melodeon he would not go into
the mandatory where the different
parts were being fashioned; he would
go into the salesroom and inspect the
completed instrument This world is
the great workship in which Jesus
Christ by His Spirit constructs Chris
uan character. I've are Gods build
Ing" wrote the Apostle Paul to his
brethren at Corinth. OF himself he
wrote at another time, mot as though
l have already attained, either were
already perfect" He was still in the
hands of his divine and loving archi-
tect. The scaffoldings were not yet
taken down, and the work of grace
was not yet completed.
IL Is easy TO discover some flaws in
even the best men and women; but the
critic must consider what materials
our Master has to work with in frail
and fallen human nature, so often dis
inquired and deIaced by innate denray-
lty- Napoleon used to say that The
had 10 make his marshals out of
that Of the Holy Spirit could have con-
sructed such conscientious and eff
fectiVe Christian as John Newton out
OF so hardened and desperate a sinner.
very eloquent and spiritually-mind-
ed minister once said to me: Before
! was converted I wonder how anyone
could live in the house with me-" Dur
ing my "A years of pastUrates. when I
recelred converts into the church. |
often recognized the fact that one
candidate for membership had been
reared in frivolous and worldly fam
ily-and another had a naturally yio-
lent temper-and another was consti-
tuuonally timid and irresolute-and
still another had to- contend with
hereditary sensualities of tempera-
ment or practice Some of the over
hasty and headlong had to be held
back and tested, and some despondent
oouoters had to be encouraged. A
study OF the experience of our blessed
Loro IN building II disciples out of the
material that came to His hand is full
OF solemn suggestion, and one of those
IL tumbled into ruin under the very
eyes of the Master Builderi
Character building is like cathedral
DulldlnS-a gradual process. No
Christian is full grown. else there
would be no sense in the divine in
functions to grow in grace" and TO
press towards the goal of the HIGH
calling of God in Christ Jesus" The
corner stone of every truly regenerat-
ed character is the Lord Jesus-otbar
foundation can no one build ON with.
out risking wreck in this world and
eternal ruin in the next world The
first act of savine faith is the ioinipg
Oh the new convert to the atoning
saviour. Then uprn that solid roun-
cation must b 21.ed THE cou~o-e the