The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-12-31

ana llltncrto lie directed Ills energies q nc
hitherto he consecratcd his life. X
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"The Great Expectation
Selected for The Hines Dispatch.)
Let your moderation DO known unto
all men. Tho Lord Is at hand. Phil.
iv: 4. -
It's not easy to decide Just what the
apostles expected with reference to the
second coming OF tho Lord Some
times 1t seemed as II they looked to
see III n cdately tho opening sky and
the descending Chariot At other times,
With q moro general faith, they seemed to
anticipate (wlat has como to pass) tho
gradual and spiritual occupation Of the
standards and purposes or human life
by the spirit Of Jesus; to DO quickencd
ut some future day ana brought to some
great contamination which will center
about Him ana crown Him as the
Master and King Of the world
Sometimes ono OF these thoughts ana
netimes the other seemed 10 DO tho IN
tlcipation Of II ST. Paul. But whatever
the form, the great fact remains that
tho disciples were always expecting.
Their look was always forward, and
they found abundant clearncss and In
SEPARATION In this expectancy which they
described as the coming of the Lord
THE TT Lord will come was the daily
salutation used by them IS
ing to everything they did. Every step
they took In life brought them a little
nearer to that great end and purpose.
II they Sset out on a voyage, as they
turned their eyes away from tile fad 4
ing shore and looked across the broad
waters. they seemed to DO sailing out
TO meet their coming Lord. II two of
8theln}a parted sS from each other, not
knowing when (if evcr) they were to
meet again, their. parting word OF hope
was, The Lord is at hand. II one OF
/ them moved into a new dwelling, as he
entered intosthe door:so f what was to
be his futursg home Its very rooms be -t
scanle sacred tosshim5 because in them
iliefwas to1welco1ae Christ when he appear
ed Now. Is 'ot1f salvation nearer than
when We snrst believed. These words;
which then fell from the d Fps H Of the
apostles expressed the feeling ana the
power which always lay uppermost III
the apostles hearts M Isl I
And t5stas been this expectation or
the coming OF the Lord. which, ever
since the days OF the apostles, has al "a
ways been tho true inspiration Of the
Christian world The noblcst souls have
always believed that humanity was ca
pablo Of containing, and was sure
sooner or later to receive a larger and
deeper infusion OF the divine. The
promise OF Christianity Is as yet but
half fulfilled. All that 3l,tis been done
IS only a prelude OF what is yet 4 to be.
This is the faith OF every Christian
sreformer. This is what. has made It
easy for souls who loved the associa-
tons OF the past, as much as any other,
to cut loose from them and sail out
upon the unknown seas. 1t has not been
mere wilfulness. It is really tho pro-
3foundest faith. It has dared to think
OF human history and llfe--not as some
vast flat plain, on which men wandered
pleasantly (perhaps), but aimlessly-
always coming back at last TO their
dead calnp-fires-but as a 4 flight of
shining stairs. up which men were to
struggle with eager toll to meet tho
day OF tho Lord, which was waiting for
them at tho top. 81 II 5i9 5
And as these noble souls have thus
thought Of the worlds history, SO the
most earnest men and women have
Thought Of their own lives. Tho power
5:of any life lies In its expectancy. What
do you hope for? VIVA t do YOU expect?
The answer to these questions is the
measure Of the degree In Which man
is living. 35S
s IIe who can say, 1.-THE Lord is at
hand. ] am expecting a higher. deeper,
more pervadIng mastery OF Christi" we
know lie is thoroughly alive, and In tho
fullest sense Of tho word 83s u
One Of tho great signs fof strong life
Ii
In sllchEn man will be the way in, which
ho leaves his past. What q difference
there IS In men about that! Some men
nro Always driven out Of their past,
leave 1t only because they must go
forth from their past. because they arc
weary and dlsgustedG with It. and are
willing for any change. Other mon leave
their pust full OF honor and full of graf
Eitudo for tho blessings given and the
equipment, which It has given them for
their future lie; but full also Of tho
attraction Of that future which beckons
them on towards q nearer vision o. the
Lord, s53ss5a " SlBsS
NJ II Is the last Sunday Of 1906, The
year which came to yyls az fresh and
young. Is old and weaiy now And be-
fore next Sunday rSw Year Will come
to crowd him from his place, y 10 not