Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1906-08-03
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pellation we must, in a more elevated
sense and in more perfect manner,
be His temples.
The vessel of election" explains his
meaning in his letter to the Romans.
The charity of God is heard abroad in
our hearts by the Holy Ghost, who is
given to us. Hence the spirit of God
adorns and beauties our souls with an
Infinite variety of precious gifts and
graces; and so the soul becomes a hab-
itation in which He loves to dwell.
Christians, therefore, should be con-
scious Of the dignity of their vocation,
and, admitted as we are in sense to
participation of the divine nature,
we should rejoice In our pre-eminence
and be watchful not to descend again
by depravity to original vileness. Our
vocation likewise demands that God
alone be worshiped and adored in our
souls. All our senses and faculties
must bow down before Him. This ex-
alted vocation has brought us into fell
lowship with Christ Jesus and has
made us co-heirs with Him to Gods
eternal presence. This alliance with
the Deity Is so supereminent in dig
nifty that the sacred penman seem un-
able to choose words to convey the
great conception to our intellects.
You are" says Peter, "a chosen gen.
Grafton, kingly priesthood, holy ma
ton, purchased people" This is the
consoling thought which supports us
under pressure of human calamities.
1t Is the only anchor on which our
souls can secure rest amid the bolster
Gus waves, the raging storms and tenn
pests of this mortal life. If the vicis-
situdes of human affairs disturb us, If
we cannot view with composure of soul
the smile and frowns ef fortune, it is
clear that we are unmindful of our
high calling. Tis our passions that
disturb our repose and our passions are
influenced by our loves.
"Where a mans treasure is there Is
his heart also" If we love the things
of earth our souls are agitated and ruff
fed. We begin to repine at being
thwarted in our inclinations, we be-
come inpatient under dlsappointments
and are harassed by alternate hopes
and fears. If we keep Gods temple
perfect, our souls will resemble the
heavens. The armament is always pure
and serene. Clouds, indeed, arise in the
lower regions of the air which often in
tercept the rays of the sun and obscure
the face of day, but they cannot affect
the beauty or disturb the serenity Of
the armament.
If we wish to derive comfort from
our vocation, we must walk through
life in a manner worthy of it. Let the
knowledge which we possess of the ma
ture of our creation be the grand prin-
ciple Of our conduct. Let 1t direct our
steps, compose and purify our thoughts,
calm our passions, fill all our conversa-
tions with goodness and charity and
sanctify all our actions. Therefore,
cleanse Gods temple, search out the
cracks and rents and repair these dam
ages Of earthly warfare. Each morning
look forward on the days duties and
permit Gods spirit to direct us to dis
charge them with propriety and honor.
Then will the light of faith be diff
fused over our souls and enable us to
penetrate the hidden things of life, of
Gods wisdom. Then will divine hope
compel us, even while on earth, to enjoy
in measure that happiness of which
the plentitude is reserved for a future
world Then will heavenly charity be-
come the ruling passion Of our hearts
and establish its domination in our
souls. Then will it command and impel
all our powers, ennoble our views. ele
vate our desires and purify our natures
In this we shall recognize our voca.
ton to be saints, as says st. Paul, and
of our souls, His living temple, we shall
hear the voice Of the Most High de
claring: 81 have chosen and have
sanctified this place that my name may
be there forever, and my eyes and my
heart may remain there perpetually."