Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-30

of course, with the Sisters of ST. Benedict
throughout the world, this section was in
the Christian church on earth no one would
dare to say; but we forget sometimes that
there lies a command as well as an invita-
ton in the words. This do in remembrance
of Me-
We may argue about 1t as much as we
please. and oft cite cases of beautiful
Christian lives of those who never united
with Christ's church, but the command,
Christ's last command and request, is bind
ing upon US still. Thank God we do not
have to answer for those who have not
Joined Christ's church; that is between
themselves and their God, and it Is not for
US to say they are not Christians. only for
us to know that we cannot be fully pleas
ing our Master without complying with all
His wishes For His own wise reasons He
established the church. and established 1T
It'll He come If the church members in
your town do not please you and you think
you can have pleasanter companionship
outside the church than in it, never mind.
Your place is in the church If you are
Christ's child Every other member in that
church may be all out of Christian proper
ton in your estimation, but that does not
concern you. You must be there and be
right.
But the chances are that you do not fully
know those other Christians you despise af-
ter all Take that elder whom you have
always dslked, and study him. There
must be something in his heart which
draws him to Jesus,~or he would not be in
the church at all. l know you have always
said he was nothing but a hypocrite and only
Joined the church to give himself a little
social position among religious people but
waive that theory of yours for time and
go to work to study that man. Study him
through the eyes of your loving Master,
Jesus Christ. and see If you cannot find
some lovable traits about him. If you
treat all the disagreeable members in this
way you will presently find yourself admir-
ing them in many ways, to your surprise.
Then you must always remember that I'M
less they are actual Judases (and you re-
member that there was but one Judas in
the first Christian church, you have one
common bond in your drawing toward
Jesus Christ.
There are great many young members
in the church today who get no actual joys
out of their membership. They came in
with others during a time of revival, and
when the first newness wore away they
grew half afraid of the vows they had taken
upon themselves. They had an unpleasant
awe of the communion table, and shrank
from letting their companions know that
they Were numbered among Christ's chosen
cnes. The world has claimed their time
and interests, and the bonds of the church
have become irksome. To such this topic
seems a rnisnomer They have no real heart
life with Christ, or If they ever had it is
being SO thoroughly choked out of them
by lack of spiritual afr, exercise and sun
shine, all of which they might find In the
joy can have anything to do with the
solemnities and bonds of church life.
Mr.. Meyer says:
mo one can know the fullness of Gods
love in the loneliness of our own commun-
ingS. We need to associate with all saints
to learn Its height and depth, and length
and breadth. 1t Is mistake to isolate our
selves from communion with Christians, or
from corporate church life; and it is my
earnest advice to all young Christians, as
to all secret disciples. to find some happy
center of Christian fellowship and join It,
We see the love of God from different
angles. 1t shines on us with different hues
And no one can fully appreciate it. and it's
full extent, who has not spoken with other
Christians about it, and tried to catch some
new beauties in their conceptions Talk
much of the love of God. to those around
you; hear them and ask them questions.
So shall your heart burn within you;
and Jesus will make himself known
in some deeper, sweeter guise. Christian
converse is a great help toward the abiding
realization of the love of God. Why should
you not be one of the channels through
which Gods love may pour itself out to re-
fresh him that IS weary? If you are will
ing you will find yourself beginning to care
for men as never before, and there will be
new power of affection opened within you
which shall betray its divine origin. And
what, think you, shall be the effect of this
upon yourself, except to teach you the
meaning of Gods love to you? For the
water which flows along a channel can re-
iresH the HoWeretS Inat grow upon Its
banks. Those that. live in love to others
know the love of God to themselves and
to keep other men in our love is to keep
ourselves in the love of God. Forsake
wrath. jealousy and envy, in the power
of Gods grace, and learn the new, glad les
son of love-"
How to Help the Leader.
Pray that some friend may be brought
to profess faith In Christ. Tell why YOU
wished to unite with the church, or what
has hindered You from doing So
Parallel passages-Mark, viii: 3S; Romans
x:9. 10; Corinthians. xi:2i: Matthew, ix:g;
Acts, ii:41; Luke, x:23; II Timothy. u:I2:
Matthew, xxviii:19, 20; Mark, x:2I
Hints to the leader-The Endeayor hym-
nal, z. 123. 172. $50. 226.
Write such questions as the following
upon the blackboard or distribute before
hand. asking members to respond to them
without saying Il have been asked to
answer this
Tell us some of the joys that have come
to you through church memberships
What is hindering our associate members
from processing Christi" do you feel
that the communion table helps you to live
nearer to, Christi" &c.
God never meant to be separated
From one another In work and thought:
That SO His loving purpose may be wrought
His gracious will be done
In esrth and heaven. as one
blessed company OF all the true
Ills holy church-may l belong to you-
LUCY LAHooM.
New Canning Factory.