The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-09-09
International Bible Lesson for Sept.
II, '1o-(Matt. 22:1-14).

lodge and club among men mas ltS
members identified, at home and
abroad. Only those who have been
initiated taught the mysteries, signed
the proper documents are entitled TO
wear the badge Of membership or
reap the benefits OF the order But
having passed the appointed tests and
received the appropriate credentials
the members are thenceforth desiy-
mated and recognized by the badge,
the pass word or the hailing sign by
all the brotherhood.
Insignia Of the Kingdom.
The Kingdom of Heaven is no ex-
ception to that rule Those who come
into it do so voluntarily, and there
after are clothed in a regalia which is
only bestowed upon those who have
learned the mysteries of the spiritual
Kingdom The king, in explaining
what that insignia stands for, re-
lates the parable of the wedding gar
ment. He says that certain king
made a nuptial feast for his son, and
sent out the invitations far and wide.
But his invitations were treated
anu oNOi AANN W many,
yet, in spite of this a great company
gathered at the feast According TO
Oriental custom, garments of beauty
and rank were provided for the guests,
which they were to wear as compli-
ment to the giver and a credential
for the supper. But when the king
came in TO inspect the guests, he
found a man who had scornfully re-
fused to put on the regalia, a solitary
and conspicuous example OF indepen-
dence, ingratitude and wilful disre-
gard of the proprieties. 1t was appar-
ent at a glance that the offender had
no business in such an assembly, and
he was incontinently and emphaucal-
ly elected from the premises. In such
vivid language the king sets forth the
truth that certain credentials and
badges of citizenship are essential to
participation in the banquet of love.
No one can by any possibility partake
of the marriage supper unless he con-
sents to wear the insignia of the
realm
The Garment Described.
What is this garment of the par
able? The prophet Isaiah a long
time ago described It in these words.
"He hath clothed me with the
garment of salvation. he hath cover
ed one with the robe of righteous
ness" In other words, character is
the essential thing. In other organiza-
ton the credential is blood, or money,
or color, or sex or diploma, but in
the kingdom of heaven only one thing
is essential-character. Not that citi-
zenship is composed of those who
were born good and have never gone
wrong; men and women are there
who have gone to the bottom of in
iquity, the chief of sinners, but they
have been washed, purified, trans
formed, regenerated covered with the
robe of righteousness, provided for
them by the master of the feast. AND
they wear that badge of citizenship
as a token that they have been initi-
ated. The Christian system is more
than a system of doctrinal provisions,
sacraments and ritualistic observ-
ances. Its requirements go down to
the basis of all-the character of the
individual soul.
Many Degrees In the Kingdom.
And this badge does not signify
that they know 1t all as yet. There
are more than 80 degrees in spiritual
mysteries. So long as earthly life
lasts they will be Investigating going
on unto perfection. The most ad-
vanced saint can say with Paul, For
we know in part and we prophesy in
part, but when that which Is perfect
is come, then that which is in part
shall be done away. For now, we see
through glass, darkly, but then face
to face. Now We know, in part but
then shall We know even as we are
known"
Such being the case, II Is apparent
that the insignia of the kingdom Is a
universal token All the guests at this
feast were on a common level so far
as their credentials were concerned.
Some might have been wealthy and
some poor; some influential and some
mere nobodys. But they were all
equal at the banquet board. The
wedding garment Is the same on the
shoulders Of the redeemed Hottentot
as ca those OF the educated, refined
and dignified American. They wear 1t
in the tungles Of India, on the ice
fields OF Labrador, in the mines of
Siberia and on the ships Of com
merce sailing on every sea- It is the
one, only, all-essenial mark OF loyal
ty and citizenship.
The Regalla Essential.
The only man who was elected
from that feast was the man who neg
lected OF rejected the regalia of the
occasion. This man moved among the
guests without interference till the
king came In II was. not the pro-
vince OF his companions TO sit in judg-
ment on him. This is not the time for
separation. but for ingathering. We
are 10 invite the guests. not reject
them Let every man use his liberty.
II Is ours to remember that we our
selves are guests, not Judges. The
unerring eye OF the king is the only