The Newtown bee., 1907-03-08

Cor. 13: S:-'Love never faileth."
 A mans reputation to some extent is test of his character, else we should not be careful to Shun even the appearance of evil. But as reputa tiOn is mainly what others may think of us, much depends upon who the others are. It is a saying that we must not always judge a creature by it's shell, nor man by his reputation. A good deal depends upon the place, and state of social life in which one lives. Some mems regulations get much deformed by constant contact with harsh, un- friendly influences. Other mems good names become beautiful because of the happy relations in which their lot is cast. And yet the real character of one may be as fine as that of the Oth- CT. For character is what we are in ourselves, whatever the circumstances; and God knows.
 That what we think of ourselves is test of our own characters is very evident. To think we'll of ourselves, right and proper, and no doubt the es- | timation in which we are held by oth- CTS depends, in a measure, upon our | right thinking of ourselves. St Paul has good word for us on this point: "For I say, through the grace that among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think: but so to think as to think soberly, ac- cordlng as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith.
 When we examine ourselves with reference to our intentions, we come to the deeper, more serious tests of character. In the moral life we have to do with motives. If our thoughts, | words, and deeds are voluntary, then the quality of our acts depends upon our intentions. If we mean to do right, morally and spiritually we are right in what we do, even though we are mistaken. If we intend to do wrong, in thought, word or deed, we are wrong in spirit and purpose, even | though as a matter of fact that which | we do is right and good.
 The Lord looks into our hearts. and knows our thoughts, and understands the motives that lead to our conduct. The Pharisees put the emphasis on the legal, literal keeping of the law. Jesus made the law spiritul. He look ed beyond the letter to the spirit of 1 us is spiritual. The real tests of char l acter are spiritual. The inner life will express itself in the outward con- duct. Our outward acts may be wrong through ignorance, error, or circumstances beyond our control
 But if we are pure, true, and good in spirit we are not condemned as though we meant to do evil, God knows; and we can easily excuse any one when we are assured that he meant we'll, but was mistaken. | The final test of our characters is the divine affection. The love of God is the source of all life, and must therefore, be the supreme, decisive trial of the inmost Spiritual life. Be cause God is love, the law of all right conduct toward God and toward mer must be the rule of love. It is com | plete and universal in it's application 1.-the sum and substance and end O. all the commandments. "Love suffer
 eth long, and is kind" Long suffering and kindness are fruits Of the Holy Spirit. We are known, even to tht
 world, by the fruit of our living. Gu
 thoughts, words, and deeds are work
 may be misunderstood and miSrepre
 sented, but in the long run men do no
 gather grapes of thornS, nor figs C
 thistles.
 "Love env1eth not," is not jealou
 because another may have more, (
 better things than we have. Envy
 a selfish, hateful vice, subtle, and de1
 ilish.
 "Love vaunteth not itself, is nc ! puffed up,", etc. Good manners, be real, must grow out of culture heart and mind.
 "Rejoiceth not in unrighteousnes but rejoiceth with the truth. Bea a eth all things, believeth all thing ' hopeth all things, endureth all. Low
 never faileth." Such love as that . the patience of God in us. And it
 the abiding, most searching, and etc
 nal test of character, "He that lOve1
 not knoweth not God; for God
 love-"