The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-01-30

Gladstone, of Lincoln, project before
our minds the crying necessity for a
civic vision. AS we stand at the part
ing of the ways, when to go forward
Is to accept new opportunities and to
be invested with larger responsible
ties and obligations unto service. it
is imperative that we shall see clear
ly and far-reachingly into the future
of our civic life. Blind men cannot
lead US. Only a leadership that seer
is fit for the front in the march Of
progress.
But great as is the call for al eX-
ercise of insight and for men of WIS.,
ion in the intellectual and civic af-
,'airs of men, still greater is the de-
mand for profound vision in the spir-
itual life. AS Moses and Isaiah saw
the truth of God unto spiritual sat-
isfaction, Cor the men and women OF
the %Israelitish race; as Paul and Lu-
Their and Wesley and john Knox and
John Calvin and Charming and a
myriad of other saints Of God laid
bare the truth Of God to the gaze OF
the Gentle world; as the Lord Jesus
Christ with divine insight revealed
the eternal truth Of the Father for
the benefit of SHINING souls; 80 must
we, to-day, as we desire to be lead
ers in our time, have the vision OF
the prophets and of a son Of God.
unto the portrayal Of the truth OF
God to the race. No man is fit to be
a leader for the souls of men until
first he has had a vision of the Lord.
None of us is capable of lifting men
to the level of the life Of Jesus Chri=t
until he has had himself a clear dis
cernment and PERCEPTION of the truth
Of God. The blind cannot lead the
blind. The blind do not desire to be
led by the blind. The blind should
not have the temerity to attempt to
lead the blind. Only a man whose
spiritual vision Is unclcuded should
have either the courage OF the au-
dacity to try to show the beauties OF
the God-blessed life to other men.
That man. alone, is competent to be
a guide through the wilderness of
life, and to lead men along the road
Of righteousness to the goal Of spir-
itual victory, who has seen already
for himself the truth Of which he is
the revelation.
The spiritual vision Is the best Wis
ion. We may not, as did Moses, walk
with God. We may not n His
presence with the faculties Of the
natural man. But we may, in the
fineness of our spiritual perception.
be and become as intimate with God
in a spiritual manner as Moses or
Abraham or Enoch or Isaiah ever
were. Spiritual vision is the best
vision. AS the Psalmist pleaded, go
should we cry out to God in earnest
supplication. open Thou mine eyes,"
Not only that we may learn won
drous things out of His law, though
we may do that; but that we may
also receive such a vision of the heav-
emily realities; Of the eternal verities;
OF Him who dwelleth in the secret
chambers of the Most High; as shall
sustain. uplift and inspire our immor-
tai souls.
Oh, that we might have our eyes
opened wide by God unto the discern
ment Of the truth Of His Kingdom
and Of the life in-dwelt by Him.
Would that Christ might be allowed
to lay His hand upon the eyes of
those WHO are spiritually SiSuLless.
What Joy would be theirs. What
contentment would be their portion.
What peace would pervade their
souls. What a vision of Gods in
finite and eternal glory would be
opened to their gaze.
Yea, Lord, open Thou the eyes Of
Thy church. Open Thou the eyes Of
Thine erring children. Grant US a
vision of Thy truth. And may we
with open eyes, beholding the glory
Of the Lord. live as ever in His pres.
ence until there shall come into u
vision the reality of the common
wealth of God. the City of God, the
habitation of the saints, the land not
made with hands, eternal in the
hoauonc