Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-03

CONTEXT.-It is not easy, perhaps nor
necessary. to settle the precise oroer Oh
events at this point in the life or Jesus
Some scholars are disposed to take THIS ser
mon out of its connection and put II imme-
diately after the appointment OF the Twelve
(MattSx:D. as containing instruction par
ticularly adapted to them at that Tune.
Others think the discourse was dehvereo
earlier and that certain parts were re-
peated on the latter occasion. whenever
SPOKEN. the sermon on the mount, as 1t is
generally designated, was the most extern
siye presentation of our Lords doctrine
which has been preserved for the genera
lions succeeding Him. 1t contains SO many
utterances on such a variety of subjects as
to merit and receive the commentator OF
all classes of men. Evidently 1t was IN
tended to correct the traditions OF the elders
and the peryersions of the Pharisees. we
shall today study the opening part OF the
sermon which deals with the subject OF
happiness
POVERTY.-Jesus was speaking to His
disciples apart from the multitude (verse ~.
He desired them to know, what all seek 10
know, the secret of personal enjoyment IN
life Mistaken views on this point nave
ruined many. He holds that biessedness
proceeds from inward. rather than outward,
conditions Matt, xxiii:26), and enumerates
seven particulars The first OF these Is pow
erty, not In worldly goods, but In spirit or
disposition (verse -. All men are sinners
(Rom. I'll :23), spiritual bankrupts, but many
appear not to be aware of the fact tRev.'
HID and move about with much claim
and show of righteousness. Happy Is the
man who has learned his real state; who
feels his Indulgence, dependence and I'M
worthiness: who is humbled and ashamed
before God. Such man Is prepared Tor
entrance into the kingdom of heaven. IN
deed, his lowfy frame of mind tends to
peaceful enjoyment of life and 10 confidence
In God az his only hope
MOURNING.-The next blessing is
pronounced upon those that mourn, not
those who have mourned. but those who
are mourning. This state proceeds from
the former. They who realize that they
are spiritually poor will experience ten
derness of conscience. called Cody sorrow
Oh Cor, vii:10) which is essential to the
souls delivery from sin psalm I'D. This
penitence. as 1t is sometimes designated,
marks the transition from a condemned to
justified state psalm xSXii:4-5). and
when accompanied by faith awakens IN the
soul a peace unknown before Rom., V:l).
Hence, the Saviors promise, they shall be
comforted' fverse a. The tears and signs
which result from ones conscious unworthi-
ness shall be succeeded by the consultations
Of pardoning mercy, by hope and JOY In the
Holy Ghost psalm, li:12), a foretaste of
that everlasting felicity, prepared for the
saints, when God shall wipe away all tears
from their eyes Grew, Wild. The Scrip
lures abound with examples of those who
have passed from weeping to JOY (Psalm,
xxxii:1I.
MEEKNESs.-He who, having dlscov-
cred his sinfulness. laments on account OF
II, and finds the forgiveness which God has
promised q John, i:9) is likely to become
gentle, forbearing, forgiving, teachable, sub
missive, which qualities are included In the
term meekness (verse o. This should be
| distinguished from constitutional quietness
resulting from love of ease or from de-
feet in sensibilty and frmness, timid
and plant temper, easily deferred from
,Jal 20 a1-tl Nfn
commended by Jesus is not negative but
positive; not natural but gracious. Men
Of the most vehement and implacable dis
positions, when they have viewed themselves
with sorrow and looked to Jesus with trust,
have learned to curb their anger, to cease
from resentment, TO make concessions, and
to forgive injuries. Such people Jesus de-
clares shall 'inhereft the earth" psalm
xxxvii:1D. They will be beloved and re-
spected by their fellow men, and they will
extract from life its real sweets. being
free from many serious vexations.
RIGHTNESS.-Out of all that has
been thus far enumerated there ought to
come a genuine desire to be conformed to
the will of God 1t was the broken law
that awakened the sense of pain described
under the terms of poverty and mourning
leading to meekness. Further considera-
ton Of that law will reveal It's perfection
psalm xix:O as the wise and the good rule
Of life the Just standard of character. He
who meditates upon 1t psalm i:2) will per-
ceive that under obedience to its require
ments an absolutely perfect society might
be established in the earth. Hence the
prayer that the will of God may be done
Matt, WHO is desire for the highest
good of the race. 1t is therefore TO be ex-
pected that man will become exceedingly
anxious for personal righteousness, desir-
ing 1t as much and truly as food and drink
(Matt., vi:33) To be right, absolutely and
always, Is the highest ambition of noble
man, the source of constant blessedness.
MERGING man may absolve an i'm
penitent sinner without becoming a party
to his offense. We are only required TO
initiate God, who forgives on confession
duke, xvii:3). But mercy is that attribute
which restraints anger and prompts to those
deeds that secure repentance (Romans, xii:
2O). 1t overcomes the evil that is in an
enemy through a desire to reclaim him
from error. He who has found mercy
ought to cherish mercy toward others
(Matt, xviii32). sinner whom God has
pardoned, remembering the experiences
through which he has passed and realizing
the Joy that came afterward, ought to look
with pity upon all who do him injury,
and earnestly desire that they may pass
through the same states Of mind. Blessed
are the mercifuP' because OF the richer life
into which they are ushered (verse y.
Blessed also because of the clemency that
will be shown toward them both by God
and man. Nothing can be more delightful
than to know that others weigh not our