The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-01-04

thew XVI. 27, 2S). 1t is a "Cup" OF
suffering. selfdenial. self-sacrifice. as
respects the earthly things which we
give up. surrender, that we may at
tain the heavenly things as joint heirs
with our Redeemer. There might be
danger. however. of some getting the
wrong thought on this subject There
is peculiar pleasure in drinking of
the Lords cup" of self-sacrifce, which
those who have never purtaken of can
not hope to understand. 1t Is the
pleasure of fellowship in his suffer
! ings. MS st. Paul explains. Aad part
of the pleasure connected with that
"cup" Is the associated hope of drink
Ing with our Lord of his other cup of
| JOY and glory and blessing in the King
dom. as he promised.
The necessity of partaking of this
! cup" of the Lord Is shown by the
| Savior's words to two of his disciples
who inquired, saying. Lord, grant that
we may sit with thee, the one on thy
right hand and the other on thy left
| hand In the Kingdom" Our Lords
| reply was that they little realized what
| this high privilege of sitting in the MiT-
lennial Throne with him would cost.
| He inquired. Are ye able to drink of
| the cup that shall drink Off" Matthew
Xxx, 22I-the cup of ing, ignominy,
| dlshonor. death?-"and to be baptized
| with the baptism that ] am baptized
| withT'-not the baptism into water,
but into that which is symboized by
the water-a baptism into his death.
! The apostles Indicated their willing
ness. And we can do no more. IL
left to ourselves. undoubtedly the con-
tract would be more than we would
be sufficient for. Our suliiciency is OF
Gods prOvdence-our great Redeemer
Is our High Priest and Advocate, able
to succor us IN every time of need,
and able to provide ways of escape
from trials too hard for us; able to
strengthen us when weak: able to give
us the meat In due season." able to
make us strong in his might; able to
bring to our attention the great and
precious promises of Gods Word. Yea.
says St Paul, 81 can do all things
NHTlSl, Wultus
me" philippians iv, 49,
an the Presence of All the People"
In the context the prophet declares,
II will pay my Vows unto the Lord In
the presence of all the people" Pub
licly. openly, will espouse the Lords
Cause. will remember his words.
whatsoever shall be ashamed of me,
and of my words, of him also shall the
Son of Man he ashamed, when he com
il, eth in the glory of his Father, with
the holy angels" Mark viii, 3Sl. will
be faithful IN the performance of my
Covenant to such n degree that my
loyalty shall be known to all the breth-
rem ms well as to the Lord. who reads
the heart. Yea, and the worldly should
know of the fnithfulness Of Gods peo-
pie, even though, not apprecating the
matter, they should despise them and
count them fools for Christs sake.
Vows of this kind are not for the
worldly, even though they be morally
disposed. They are yet in their SINS
If they reject the offer of Divine for
giveness upon Divine terms OF COnSe-
Grafton Such may not think to take
Vows of conservation to the Lord until
FIRST they have renounced wiful sin
and accepted redemption through faith
in the precious blood Until then they
remain amongst the wicked. Unto
ne wicked God said, What hast thou
10 do to take my words Into thy mouth
las Vowl seeing thou hatest instruc-
| "A a. q m NHsn 10 ha
psalm !. IN. All who do not wish Dl
vine instruction, all who spurn the
Lords Word, are in this sense wicked
lin n wrong condition OF heart. We
are glad that there IL no truth In the
theory that they are liable to eternal
torture, but, oh. how much they are
missing, nevertheless. of the joys OF
the Lord In this present time and of
the glorles and eternal blessings of the
future!
In closing, dear friends, let me sug
gcst TO you little Vow unto the Lord
not rs instead of your Conservation
Vow. which Is all comprehensive. but
as supplemental thereto as specifying
certain matters, which are indeed part
and parcel of your Conservation Vow
The thought Is that by this Vow these
particular features OF your obligation
will he daily more prominently before
your mind, 1t Is my belief that the
taking of II earnestly and soberly. and
the keeping of it, would he one OF the
wisest New Years Resolutions that
Gods people could make-most helpful
to them In the peculiar time In which
we are living.
A Vow Unto the Lord.