Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1909-12-08

been washed. cleansed. sanctified.
brought into heart-relationship with
the Lord and into love of the brethren.
If so. the implication is that they have
lost the spirit of murder from their
hearts and are brother-hater no long
er. The Scriptures tell us also that it
will be possible for man who has
been figuratively washed from his for
mer condition of sin-detilement and
who has been clothed of the Lord
symbolically in robe of righteous
ness and who had been begotten of
the holy Spirit of love to turn from
this holy commandment of love-to
turn from the way of righteousness. TO
his former condition of sin-detilement.
The Apostle gives the illustration of
the SOW that was washed returning to
her wallowing in the Inre UI Peter ii.
22). But the case of such is hopeless if
the step be taken with full intention
and deliberation-if the return to q
murderous condition of heart-brother-
hating-be with the full consent of the
heart. The Apostle. however. does init
mate that up to Il certain point there
is hope of recovery and hence he
urges all of the faithful TO assist these.
saying. "He that converteth a sinner
(once Il Drother) from the error OF his
ways shall save a soul from death"
Again we read. NO drunkard shall
enter into the Kingdom of God q
Corinthians vi. 1O,. He surely would
be unfit. This does not. however, i'm
ply that all total abstainerS from ill.,
toxicant liquors are tit for the King
dom. Neither does it imply that n
drunkard might not reform and thus
cease to be Il drunkard. and by the
Lords grace. become fit for the King
dom. Moreover the word drunkdrd in
the Bible is frequently used in fig
urative sense. 1t represents an added
condition of the mind; as for instance.
we read. that Babylon's cup made all
the nations drunk tReveIation xviii,
2-3). This signifies that fellowship
with false doctrines has permeated,
influenced. bewildered the world in
general. Gods people partaking OF
Christ's cup of suffering are said TO
receive the spirit of q sound mind
clearness Of understanding respecting
the Divine character and Plan and the
principles of righteousness. All who
will be fit for the Kingdom may be
expected to have considerable clear
ness of understanding respecting Di-
vine things. They are to know Cod
and by receiving his Spirit. they are
to have understanding of the deep
things of God" which the natural man
cannot understand q Corinthians ii,
10-14I. Of this our Lord spoke, saying,
'This is life eternal. that they might
know thee the only true God, and Je-
.sus Christ, whom thou hast sent
The Importance of Fidelity.
Pride is another quality of the heart
which would render its possessor un-
fit for the Kingdom Of God. We read
that the Lord 'resisteth the proud and
giveth grace to the humble Il Peter V.
81. Pride is one of the things which
God hates. 1t is a foe to righteous
ness in general and leads captive
many into sin. When we read that
God shows his favor to the humble.
we may be sure that the favor of
joint-heirship with the Redeemer is
for the humble alone. With what
carefulness this should lead us to
search our hearts and put away every
thing in the nature of pride, Self-con-
ceit. Love is the fulfilling of the Law.
Love is the Law Of the New Creation
and pride is foe to love. 1t is related
to sel6shness. which is a deep seated
foe of every grace of the holy Spirit.
The Lord wishes us to see that the
Heavenly Father is not merely calling
for those who have generally good in
tentions and who would rather do
right than do wrong. We may rejoice
with such that they are better than
their neighbors, but they are not fit for
the Kingdom of God, unless their love
for righteousness. for Truth. for the
will of God, be SO firmly established
that they are ready and willing to ell
dure hardness as good soldiers Of Jesus
Christ" and to fight a good fight to
the end of the course, laying hold upon
eternal life and glory and immortal,
ty. One Of Gods objects in permit.
ting the world and the flesh and the
Adversary to have the power which
they now possess 10 counteract and tC
fight against our good Intentions anC
good resolutions is explained in the
Scriptures. We read The Lord youl
God proveth you. to know whether
We love the Lord your God with al
your heart and with all your soul
deuteronomy xiii, 81. II love of sill
or love of self or love of any earthl.
thing can oyerbalance our love to th
Lord and to his Truth and his people
we are not worthy Of place in tn
Kingdom-not tit for the Kingdom
Not merely good professions. but faith
fulness unto death. fixity of charae
ter, are required Of the Lord of sue
as he would honor with share in tn
Kingdom.
An Abundant Entrance.
Having noticed that lack Of low
lack of zeal, lack of cOnStancy, lack