The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-03-02

nave SOU jesus, uUI 1oi lilly PASSS
of silver, but for the qualification OF
some base passion. Nay, we have
crucifed Him by our inidelity. He
not only forgives US, but He invites
US to His kingdom in Heaven, TO
share those blessings of which Es Is
the dispenser. II go to prepare a
place for you, that where I am you
also may be-"
What dignity can be compared to
this2 You will hear persons boast
ing of their ancestry. They will glory
In the descendants Of kings and en-
perors and illustrlous men. But now
much more honorable for you to
| claim as your kindred and brethren
the patriarchs and prophets, the apos-
| ties and martyrs, the confessors and,
virgins Of the church! How much,
more glorious for you to have, with
the saints, one mother-the churchill
the same brother-Jesus Christ; to
have with them n Lord, one faith.
one baptism, n God and Father Oh
ALL
To sum up: In being worthy Chris
tians you become children OF God,
brothers of Christ, temples OF the
Holy Ghost. Our Lord is your Adj
! vocate in Heaven. He is the Herald
that will usher into His kingdom, and
You claim as your spiritual kindred
| those illustrious men and women who
have reflected honor on our common
humanity.
May I not say to you, not in the
language Of exaggeration, but in the
inspired words of the Apostle: you
are a chosen people, a royal priest
hood" You are a chosen generations
chosen from thousands Of others who
know not God. For, He hath not
done alike to other nations, and hath
not manifested His mercies to them
as He has to You, Ga holy nation"
for what people or nation Is like to
ours, that hath Its God so nigh unto
them as our God Is nigh unto: us? "a
purchased people,, purchased not
with corruptible gold and silver, but
with the precious blood OF Jesus
Christ. "a royal priesthood" He;
calls you kings because you are the
sons of God. the King OF Kings, and
the Lord Of Lords, though you are
outside the sanctuary, and not clothes
in sacred robes. He calls you priests.
because you are concentrated-tn your
baptism that you might offer up on;
the altar of your hearts and In the
sanctuary of your homes the spiritual
victims of praise and thanksgiving
and supplication to your Cod.
I said: You are children of God
and heirs to His kingdom. Where
there is so much honor and dignity,
and so grand a prospective fnhert-
lance, there must be a corresponding
obligation. But how often does 1t
happen that a son, after having been
appointed by his father the heir OF
his estates, has forfeited his fnherft
lance by his ingratitude and disso5
Lutte hfe! Children Of God, be care
full not to lose your heavenly In
heritanee by dishonoring your Lord.
Royal children of a Royal Father. let
your brow be encircled by the halo
of royal virtues. IF I am your Fa-
ther, where is My honor; II I am
your Master, where is My fear?
It is customary for students who
have been attending colleges and
academies to return home during the
summer vacation OF during the
Christmas or Easter holidays, when
they will recount to their father their
trials and triumphs in the field OF
literature, and express to him their
gratitude for the education they rer
ceive. They will gladly listen to hts
counsel, and will SIT once more with
Joy at the family table.
We, all are. or We ought to be, pq-
pills of Christ, preparing ourselves
during this life Of probation to re-
ceive q diploma of sanctity which Will
admit us to the Kingdom Of Heaven,
Our Heavenly Father invites ps to
return to His house at certain times.
particularly on the Lords day, thai
we may lay before Him our trials,
temptations and Affections. that we
may again listen to His voice and re-
ceive His paternal counsel, and par
take of the heavenly banquet He had
prepared for US, and above all, that
we might express II gratitude to
Him for the signal blessings He has
bestowed upon US. Hasten hither on
Sundays with as much eagerness as
children return to the paternal root
said YOU were brothers and sisters
of Jesus Christ. Never dishonor your:
elder Brother. Never consent to any
deed or thought Of which He would
be ashamed. Our Lord gives US the
test Of true brotherhood: HE that
doeth the will Of My Father who is
in Heaven, he is My brother and sis