Evening journal., 1910-02-19

Never man spako like this man." Per- I
haps the nearest teaching TO this Golden
Rule was the maxim attributed to Confu-
cius, do not do to others what you would
not have them do TO you" This latter IS a
grand teaching. but It is FAR inferior to
me former, which IS sublime Christians
are not to be negative but positive. They
are not merely TO follow the standards OF
others but TO set standards; they are to
raise up the Lords standard before the
people. IL Is not for the followers OF
Jesus to say, 1--WE viii endeavor 10 keep
within the bonds Of human law, but rath-
er. We VIII live according to the Divine
Law, so far as possible. We win esteem
that human law represents the standards
OF the majority q fallen men and not tho
Divine standard"
Our Savior tells us that we will be tested
along the limo OF our love for God and for
our neighbor. God through the merit Of
Christ's sacrifice has provided forgiveness
for our past sins. ana now purposes that
as his children we shall be taught the les
ON of mercy. kindness. forgiveness to-
ward others Hence he tells us that only
In proportion as we do exercise benevol-
once towards others need we expect his
benevoience IN respect to our weaknesses
and shortcomings. The principle OF justice
Is involved IN this. Whoever is kind and
forpivlng towards others demonstrates tho
possession of love in ruling, dominating
degree. And Love Is the fulfilling OF tho
Law" Hence these may be treated as
though they were perfect because their
conduct towards others gives evidence
that their hearts arc right-ruled by love;
and that the imperfections which cause
their trespasses are merely weaknesses Of
the flesh. which may be forgiven, because
not of the heart
From this viewpoint how should Christ
ans judge one another as respects motive,
intention, etc2 Surely most lenent VI How
should they measure one anothers en-
deavors? Surely most generously How
would they lock upon the blemish IN a
brother? Would not their sympathy cause
his defects TO seem the smaller In their
estimation? And would not their own inn
perfectlons show the more largely TO them
selves? Surely such would be more con-
ccrned I'm removing the beam from their
own eyes than IN assisting the brother TO
FREQ himself from the mote OF lesser blem-
ish troubling him. Hence we may suppose
that the continual fault-hnder. who secs
great blemishes. in others and who sees
none in himself, is blind TO his own de-
fects or hyplcritioal That is the Master 8
word
We are, nevertheless, to discriminate.
Not oil arc brethren IN Christ. begotten
OF the holy Spirit. OF the remainder some
are more. and some less. british Hence
in our dealings with various classes OF
people Cv. 81. we should avoid presenting
the holiest and most precious things OF oui
religion 20 those who are in no condition
to appreciate or understand them. They
would doubtless resent them and do us IN
jury. On the contrary. we are to be wis
as seprents in the presentation OF th'
Truth and harmless as doves. We are Il
make known the riches Of Gods grace Il
those who have the hearing ear.
All the consecrated followers OF Jesu
are 10 be free to come in his name TO tn
Throne OF grace TO make request for tn
things which they need-the things prom
ised in the Word Of God TO the faithful
We are to seek for them and we shall fin
them. Knocking. we shall have Divin
blessings unlocked before us. Conside
/. how the principle prevails. even amongs
} fallen humanity. Any father asked for
. fish, would he give instead serpent? ]
asked for bread. would he give stone
Surely not, And il so, what shall we say
n respect TO our Heavenly Father Woui'
: ne not be all the more willing TO give ''
a his children who ask him2 re mas iluee'
$ given us many blessings without the ask
= ing. but some OF the chiefest OF his favor
o he withhoids from us until We make re
: ouests-because thus he would draw "a
nearer to himself ana prepare us the nor
for the blessings he is willing 70 bestow
i-lse,vhere the Master tells us that tn
good thing which the Father is special,
pleased 10 hestow Is His Holy Spirit. Thi
Is the all-important thing. for only as W