Pleasantville weekly press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1890-1911, 1910-01-08

thew XVI, 27, 2S). 1t is a Cup" OF
suffering, self-denial, 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 a peculiar pleasure in drinking of
the Lords "cupn of self-sacriice, which
those who have never partaken of can
not hope to understand. 1t is the
pleasure of fellowship in his suffer
ings as st. Paul explains. And a 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
Savidr's words to two sof 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 Lord $
reply was that they little realized what
this high privilege of sitting in the Mil
Throne with him would cost
He inquired, Are ye able TO drink Of
the cup that / shall drink off," (Mattbew
Xxx, 22)-the cup of suffering. ignomny.
dishoner death?-'and to be baptized
with the baptism that | am baptized
xrit .n 10,
but into that which is symbolized by
the water-a baptism into his death.
The apostles indicated their willing
ness. And we can do no more If
left to ourselves. undoubtedly the con-
tract would be more than we would
be sufficient for. Our sutficiency is of
Gods providence-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; ;oie 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. Il can do all things
through Christ, which strengtheneth
me- philippians iv, 13).
"ln the Presence of All the People,"
In the context the prophet declares,
81 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,
'Whosoever shall be ashamed of me.
and Of my words, of him also shall the
Son of Man be ashamed, when he COM
eth in the glory Of his Father, with
the holy angels" Mark viii, 3S). | will
be faithful in the performance of my
Covenant to such a degree that my
loyalty shall be known to all the breth-
rem as well as to the Lord, who reads
the heart. Yea, and the worldly should
know of the faithfulness of Gods peo-
pie, even though, not appreciating the
matter. they should despise them and
count them fools for Christ's 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 CO secration to the Lord until
first they ave renounced wilful sin
and accepted redemption through faith
in the precious blood. Until then they
remain amongst the wicked Unto
the wicked God said, What hast thou
TO do to take my words into thy mouth
las Vow seeing thou hatest instruc-
ton and easiest my words behind thee
psalm |, III. All who do not wish Di-
vine instruction, all who spurn the
Lords Word, are in this sense wicked
lin a wrong condition of heart: We
are glad that there is 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 glories and eternal blessings of the
futurel
In closing, dear friends, let me sug-
gest to you little Vow unto the Lord
mot as 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 be daily more prominently before
your mind. 1t is my belief that the
-aking of it earnestly and soberIy. and
the keeping Of it, would be 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.