The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1905-01-19
PEACE THROUGH GOOD WILL.
BY Rev. z, j. Gleason. 8.


BY Rev z. J. Gieeson. 8. j.
The birth OF Christ ushered in a
new era Of the worlds history. The
canticle Of the angels on that occasion
suggests the manner of beginning the
new year appropriate to the Christian.
They sang of peace to men; peace
with God, friendship, freedom from
sin by innocence or repentance; peace
with self by control of the passions
peace with our fellow men by the
practice of the virtues of justice and
charity.
But this peace is offered on the con
dition of good will" The text is
sometimes perverted into peace. good
will to men" This is not harmless
inversion 1t suppresses the condi-
ton; il seems to release man from all
obligations ii Is more acceptable to
human nature that shriuks from obi
cation: it misrepresents Gods good
ness at the expense of his justice and
sanctity which cannot be Indifferent
to mans dispositions. The sunlight
would Of itself, penetrate every nook
and corner. but TO illuminate this room
windows or aperturcs are an indis-
pensable condition. SO the peace Of
God Is offered to all men on The condi-
ton Of good WILL
In what does this good will con
slst: BY the crib of Bethlehem were
the Virgin mother, Mary. and the fos-
ter father, 81. Joseph. Their devoted
ness 10 the Divine child. their oblivion
of self ana of every temporal con
sideration that might diminish their
attention to him, will answer our ques-
ton. The shepherds said one to an
other, "et lis 20 over TO /, thlehem
and let us see this word IT, come
TO pass" They desired to know the
truth, We're open to conviction, were
of good will. The magI left their pos
sessions to follow the star that led
them to the manager They. too, were
Of good will.
When the angel appeared 10 the
shepherds the brightness of God
shonc round about them" This
brightness was probably observed by
the people of Bethlehem, hut they
made no further inquiry; they were in
different The chief priests and
scrIbc> OF Jerusalem were able to tell
Herod ana the wise men the time
and place Of the Mcssilhs birth, but
they themselves were too absorbed in
worldly cares and ambitions to seek
him out themselves or offer him their
homage. They were not of good will.
Herol inquired through fear for his
throne, ana. in his cagcrncsS TO de
stroy the child. slaughtered the babes
of Bethlehem He was not Of good
will In what docs good will, that
condition for the peace Of cod, con
sist: Desire to know the truth open
ness to conviction when it is sufficient
~ presented, readiness to apply it to
the regulation of our lives.
Christ came into the world to offer
peace to men on condition of their
good will. He established his church
TO continue his mission. From his day
down 10 the present his church has
found men disposed to her as they
We're to him. Many seek her destruc-
ton, as lIerod sought his Others.
like the chic priests ana scribes, are
too given up to the pursuit of wealth.
or power, or pleasure 10 heed his of
fer of peace. Yet Mary and Joseph
the shepherds, and the magi will al
ways have many imtators ready to
sacrifice every temporal consideration
to secure the peace Of God. The am
gels new years message is: BE Of
good will, if you would share that
peace.