Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-02-08

to deceive that they may the better gain their
ends. Thus we find the nominal Church to Goa
sist of:
a. Hypocrites;
(2l MOralists
az Indifferents:
(4 Seekers after godlnesS;
IS The true Church. ''the sanctified in
Christ Jesus''-''The members Of the Body CT
Christ"-prospectivc members of the Church
Triumphant.
FIGHTING WITHOUT AND WITHIN.
Every member of 1.-THE church OF the first
born" called ''to suffer with Christ" that
he may be also later glorified with him in the
millennial kingdom. Only those who will stand
the test of fathfulness under sufferings, trials
crosses. selfsacrifces. have the promise of
sharing with Christ the glories Of the Church
Triumphant. "If be dead with him. we
shall also live with him. II we suffer with him,
we shall also reign with him; il we deny him,
he also will deny u.s. Tim. 2:11, L.
We not TO understand that God has glort-
fled sufferings so that all sufferings will bring
rewards of blessings and his favor.
To suppose suffering in general a token of
holiness and perfection would be to assume that
the world OF mankind is more holy than tge
angels Of heaven. So far from putting a
premium upon suffering God assures us that the
time is coming when there shall be no more
signing, more crying no more dying" when
all the former things of pain and death shall
be at an end. But that now the suffering that
Is appreciated Of God and that will work out
for "A far more exceeding and eternal weight
of glory" is participation in the sufterings
of Christ-suffering for his sake. for the sake
of the principles Of righteousness, for the sake
Of and in the interest OF the followers Of Christ.
All of the true church whose names are writ
ten In heaven should be jealous, so loyal to
| the principles of righteousness that they would
suffer. the just for the unjust. for well-doing
, and not for evil-doing. through misrepresenta-
ton and not Justly. Those willing to thus take
up their cross and follow in the footsteps OF
Jesus are from all denomination Of Christians
not many altogether. They constitute what
the Lord calls his little flock" saying. Fear
not, little flock; it Is your Fathers good pleas
ure TO give you the kingdom the millennial
kingdom. under which all the families Of the
earth will be blessed and uplltted in due time.
Acts 1921
But why should the church fight? Is she
not commanded to live peaceably with all? Are
not Christians eXhorted to war not with carnai
weapons and TO be smtten both cheeks.
rather than to return evil for evil? Whera,
then. comes in the fight? Who the foes :?
Surely would assail a NONRESIDENT!
We reply that the facts do not bear out that
suggestion. Our Lord and his apostles were
peacesble and nOn-resistant, obedient to kings
and laws, and vet they suffered violent death.
as well stripes and Imprisonment. They had
their cast out evil. And those who
prosecuted and maligned them verify thought
that they did God service. All who follow in
the Lords footsteps must expect similar treat
ment because Jesus said, The servant is
not greater than his Lord Marvel not, If
the world would love his own; but
because We not of the world, but
have chosen YOU out of the world. there
fore the world hateth you. John 15:1s, 49,
The Master said THE darkness hateth the
light which explains why the chief relg
ionists or his time. being Of wrong condition Of
heart. instigated his crucifixion. They were of
the darkness living outwardly holy, while in
heart they were far from consecrated to God.
The very holding up of the torch OF truth was