The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1909-11-20

~. ADD urres that such as have this
hope shall give all diligence to the mat
ter Of adding to their faith virtue or
fortitude. That Is TO say, faith OF IT.
self Is very good as a start but God
requires more than this. AS a condi-
ton of our acceptance for election be
requires that our faith shall be Of a
strong kind. giving US fortitude for all
Of life's affairs: for all Of u Cove
nauts with the Lord; for a faithful en-
durance VI opposition. contradiction.
etc. that thus we might be copies OF
our Lord Jesus Christ. as God has or
dalned all Of "the elect must be tRo-
mans wifi. 29i.
Not only must we have u strong
faith combined with furtitude. but we
must also add knowledge" We re-
quired some knowledge of God and Of
our Lord Jesus aud of the Gospel mes
sage before we could come unto the
Lord at all. but the Apostle is not re
fprripg to this. our earliest knowledge.
He is addressing Christians who have
already taken the first steps. He as
sures us that they need knowledge to
enable them to 70 onward in Christian
Observation-Disclosures In addition>to
their faith and fortitude We have
nothing to say against worldly knowl-
edge. scientific knowledge, etc. when
these do not cross or interfere with
the Divine Revelation. but we are ron
ddent that the Apostle did not Intend
to refer to worldly knowledge, but to
the greatest of all scientific knowledge
the knowledge of God.
How shall we know God? BY study
of his character. Our Lord Jesus it
was who declared. This is life eternal.
that they might kaor thee, the only
true God. and Jesus Christ, whom thou
hast sent John xvii. 81. This knowl-
edge at the present time is a secret
knowledge and. as the Apostle says, a
hidden mystery" which can be known
only by those who put themselves into
a certain attitude Of heart and mind
and conduct toward the Lord and his
revelation. We are to study Gods
characterize learn respecting his JUS
tice. his Wisdom. his Love and his
Power, by studying his revelation-the
Bible. In 1t we see his dealings past,
and his promises respecting his deal
ings future. And a correct apprecia-
ton of these gives US a knowledge of
Gods character as exempliied therein.
But since this knowledge is not stated
in terms for the world to understand,
ii follows that only those in proper
condition Of heart and enlightened by
the holy Spirit can receive this knowl-
edge. 1t is taught only to the pupils In
the School Of Christ. The secret OF
the Lord is with them that fear him;
and he will show them his Covenant
Other Graees to Be Added.
The Apostle continues his advice as
to things necessary to be added by
those who would make their calling
aud election sure. They must keep
adding. and the adding must be little
by little and day by day. The knowl-
edge we gain Of God through his Word
should lead us to greater moderation
translated. temperance, In our common
version. Let your moderation be
known unto all men" philippians w..
o.. moderation or balance In thought,
In word. in action. Gods people may
be called extremists by those who are
not begotten Of the holy Spirit and VINO
know not the mystery" But even
they should be able to charge immod-
Grafton only on the one score-our i'm
moderation. our falthfulness to the
Word of the Lord and to our Covenant
Of self sacrifice as followers In the
footsteps Of Jesus. Our lives should
be so moderate as respects business
and pleasure and food and raiment,
etc. that we should be examples Of
wisdom and moderation to all-extrem-
lists only along the same lines that
Jesus and the Apostles were counted
extremists by those who knew not, mel
Their did understand the mystery" Of
their endeavor to be of the very elect"
Patience must not be forgotten. In
addition to moderation. Let patience
have her perfect work, that ye may
be perfect and entire. wanting moth
ing" Next add godllkeness-general
goodness. benevolence. Denignity TO-
ward all. Add mex brotherly kind
ness-in the natural family relation
ship. and also in the spiritual family,
the Church. Love as brethren
fought to love-. we ought also tc
lay down our lives for the brethren
Still further the Apostle urges thai
while all of the foregoing are elements
Of love we ~superadd lore itself in the
fullest sense toward the Lord. toward
the brethren. toward humanity. to
ward the brute creation and toward
our enemies. While all of these can
not be loved In the same degree, al
should profit by the spirit Of love II
our hearts for all.
aye Shall Never Fail"
Now cores the climax OF the advice
to those seeking to make their calling
and election sure verse ". III thes'
things be in you and abound, they
make you that ye shall neither he bar
rem nor unfruitful In the know g. :,
Of our Lord Jesus Christ" And tnel