The Newtown bee., 1906-03-23
LITTLE SERMONS.
OvERCOMING-B o. 0. WRIGHT.

Rom, lS: q: b0 not overcome or 0VlI, but overcome evil with good"
 All human experience must be tried and proved by the universal test of good or evil. The eternal significance of every event in our lives depends up on how we. stand related to God. Whether in the natural world where fixed and unchanging law holds sway over all material things, or in the spiritual world in which the motives of wisdom and love, and the personal care of the Holy Father is manifest, all things are made to work together for good to all who live in harmony end toward which all things in the di- vine Providence tend. But on the other hand, whatever is opposed to the eternal nature and purpose must at last be consumed and trampled under foot of those who with the Lord of life and glory contend with and tri- umph over the powers of darkness, and the lovers of evil.
 God looks for the fruit of holy living in us. The summer growth and har- vest of tried and perfected souls is the great end of the costly work of the sal vation of Christ. "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. 1" This is the fundamental principle of all true Christian experience. The love of God in Christ is potent to over- rule all things toward this grand re- suit, that all perverSiOn shall be cor rected; that all evil may be converted into good; that all sin shall be con- sumed by the love of holiness; and that all experience whether of evil, or of good shall make men wise unto sal vation, and fit them for the life ever- lasting. But all this can be done only by the willing obedience and love of men themselves. When all men are won to the love of Christ, and not till then, can all be saved. So long as there is pride, wickedness, unbelief, and fear, there is stubble to burn, trial, struggle, and the experience of overcoming or of being overcome. Sc long as the clouds and fogs of doubt and sin obscure the sky of the soul, pentance and godly sorrow before the healing in His wings to give us growth freedom, joy, and the triumph ot faith.
 What we most need to realize, per. haps, is that we are in the conflict O1 life now, and always, and that we are to be overcomers by our own free will and effort, with divine help, or we shall be overcome by the spiritual foes that beset us. Everything depends upon our own voluntary relations anc attitude toward the Sun of Righteous ness. If we stand afar off, indifferent or opposed to the power of divine grace, He cannot arise for us with healing in His wings. The Sun shine light and heat of His heavenly rays but if we choose to dwell beneath tn, clouds and mists of carnal life, H.
 iAobscured to our souls by the dark ness of our own evil hearts and minds
 Behind the clouds the sun shines or
 forever; and by his mighty power tn, storms and chilling frosts shall file
 away till the atmosphere of the cart shall become pure and bright; an
 then the songs of happy birds, and th
 fragrance aud beauty of the flower
 shall usher in the regal glory of tn
 summer of the year.
 And so likewise we are taught c God that the whole world itself ha
 it's seasons; it's beginning, and it's enc : ing. it's seedtime, summer growth
 of the spiritual history of the huma
 race, under God are the worlds ses
 sons. Our planet once was youn
 among the stars in their courses; bu
 the Earth is growing old. He wh made it as the abode of man made I to fulfil His purpose, whether this m
 terial world will be destroyed, (
 changed to suit the changing cond
 tions of the spiritual life of huma
 society we do not know: but from tt
 general teachings of the Holy Scri
 lures we judge that the time will con
 when the hlight of the truth of u X love of God in Christ will be so plain
 manifest, and all-prevailing, that 8
 evil will be overcome of good, and ba , ished, and all imperfection cured; tn
 the wicked will be converted, or co