The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1909-03-05

ever would emasculate the love-re-
ligion and stirred Cyria 10 guard her
family against them.
shortly afterward. John is said 10
have returned 20 Ephesus, so weak
he needed 10 be carried 10 the Chris.
tian meeting place on young mems
shoulders. Unable 20 stand up and
preach. Sunday after SUNDAY he
spread his hands over the worshipers.
using the same five-word sermon,
Little children. love one another.
When asked why. he replied. Be
cause that is the command OF the
Lord. and nothing can be done unless
this is done
The word "Cyria" has stiu another
meaning. IL is what relates 10 the
Lord, and hence church" From IL
comes the Scotch kirk" the Dutch
"kerk" and the German "kirche.
Some think il should be so rendered
in this epistle. and that this lady is
the Ephesian Church personitied, her
sister the church where John was
holding services at the time. her chill
dren the sorely tempted Ephesian
converts
II so. the significance simply broad
ems from the family home 20 the
church nome. The lesson was and
remains appropriate 20 both. Neither
at the house nor in the church do we
need a new theology. nor additional
, commandments. In both places we
need the Pentacostal spirit inspiring
us with one accord 10 continue stead
fast in the temple; with gladness and
slngleness of heart breaking bread at
home; In church. in the house. on
the street constantly reiterating,
thoughtfully contemplating. logically
applying the duplex commandment OF
love.
Such a widowed saint as have
imagined Cyria, when boy | was
privileged 10 know. Her time, too.
was spent in helping others. One
day she stopped me on the street and
said My boy. do you remember
how Nero wished all the Romans had
one neck, that he might wiring it?
Well, | was just wishing that all the
Christians OF York had one neck, that
! might hug it Her life, whether
Worshiping at the temple or break
ing bread at home, approved her
words
What n warning is Johns Look TO
yourselves that ye receive full re-
ward. Religion is more than
means Tor gaining heaven or escaping
hell In neither place, any more than
upon earth, are rewards and punish
ments meted out with stupid and in
discriminate uniformity.
In the future life remorse will not
be localized. Some among the saved
barely squeeze through the gates,
others have an abundant entrance.
Inside, many are unadorned at all:
the crowns OF others are plain cir
clets; some heads are wreathed with
s'.rs, While rejoicing in their re-
demption viii not multitudes regret
their empty-handedness?
To be first at school, in games.
among business men. is n lofty ambi-
ton. Loftiest OF all ambitions is TO
be first in the kingdom OF heaven: 10
be richest whore moth and rust cor
rupt not where thieves break not
through, where industry has its full
reward. Such deposits in heavenly
vaults increase at compound interest
II we walk determinedly In the mar
row path, abhor falsities, work no
unworthy schemes, speak no unkind
words, are intolerant OF our own sins,
tolerant TO other sinners. make tenn
pies of our homes and homes OF our
temples
Browning puts in the dying mouth
or it's leader the cause Of that post
Pentacostal JOY at church and at
home:
For life with all it Yields of JOY and woe
And nope and lear-beie,e the aged
friend
Is just our cnancc Of the prize of learning
love.
How love might be, hath been indeed
and ls