The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-25
The Christians Aim.
Selected for The es-Dlspatch.)

SoeleCteu lOr me llI1leS-l )lspatcn.)
BE We, therefore, perfect. even as
your Father. which Is in Heaven, Is
perfect."-Matt V: As.
The Christians aim is perfection. This
is to be distinguished from mere worldly
morality. Nor Is 1t mere conformity to
a creed, but rather Is 1t aspiration after
n state.
for us to follow, but we are commanded
to strive to be like God. Will not that
influence our pride and increase our nat
ural vain-glory?
The nature and possibility OF human
perfection-what 1t is and how II is at
tained--are both contained in one single
expression of the text: Even as your
Father, which is in Heaven is perfect"
The relationship between father and
child implies consanguinity, likeness
In character and nature. God made the
insect, the stone, the lily; but God Is
not the Father of the caterpillar, the
lily or the stone.
When we are commanded to be like
God. 1t implies that God has that nature,
OF which we already have the germs.
This truth has been taught us by the
incarnation of the Redeemer Water
cannot coalesce with fire; water cannot
mix with oil. SO, then. the Incarnation
is the realization of mans perfection.
To prove this kinship with God, we
find that the desires of man are for
something houndless and unattainable.
The endless, infinite void in the soul of
man can be satisfied with nothing but
God. Satisfaction lies not in having.
not even in doing. but only in being.
Every man (whose actions are worth
anything) has felt at times that he has
not yet done that which he feels himself
able to do. While he was at work. he
was kept up by the spirit of hope; yet
when done, the thing seemed worthless.
Again: We find infinite capacities of
the soul. This is true intellectually and
morally. With respect to our moral and
spiritual nature we may say that they
are not only indefinite, but absolutely
infinite Let that man answer who has
ever truly and heartily loved another.
He knows, then, what it is to partake
of the infnitude Of God No longer is
life measured by days or years but it
is boundess and eternal.
Once more: This is shown In the pow
err of giving up self. In this, perhaps
more than in any other one thing, man
may claim kindred with God. Nor is
this power confined to the best of man
kind, but it is possessed to some ex-
tent by all. There is no man who has
not one or two secrets which no earthly
consideration would induce him to be-
tray. There is no man, who towards. ono
or two Cat leasD in the world, does not
feel devotion, which all the brides of
the universe. would not be able to shake.
What shall we say to these things?
Do they not tell us Of an indestructible
something, in the nature of man, the
origin OF which is Divine? The remains
of majesty. which, though it may be
sullied,, can never be entirely lost?
God is so great so glorious that the
mind is overwhelmed by and sllrinks
from the contemplation OF His excellence.
Unless there comes the tender, enrolling
thought that we are His children, and
our blessed career 1t is to. go on in a
continual advance Of love and duty to-
wards Him, until we love Him. as we
are loved, and know Him, almost, as we
are known; for we shall see Him as
He is!
Worldly prudence tmiscalled morality
says BE honest; you will find you gain
in being so. d Do right; you will be the
better for it, rho mistaken religlonist
only magnifics this on a larger scale.
Your duty" he says, is to save your
soul. Give up this world to have tho
next. Lose hell that you may gain here
after" This may DO prudence, yet it Is
but magnifed selnshncss, carried on into
etcrnity--none the moro noble for being
eternal selfshness.
In opposition to all such sentiments as
these thus speaks the Master: BE We
| perfect" Why. because your Father,
which is in Heaven, is perfect" Do
right, because 1t Is godllke to do So God
has linked together well-doing and
besscdness. But blessedness is not the
nature given here.
1t is true. the Master says: BLESSED
are the meek, for they shall Inherit the
earth" But when that is made Dur mo-
tive when we become meek in order that
we may inherit here, then the promised
enjoyment will not come. # we are
merclful merely that we ourselves may
obtain mercy we shall not have that in
dwelling laNe, of God, which isithe re-
suit and token fills forgiveness.
+. Happiness is not our end and aim,
The Christians aim is perfection, and