The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1910-03-24

crown of life. This makes the exhor-
tation of the text still more emphatic,
80 run that ye may obtain
A great deal depends upon the be-
| ginning Notice the runners at the
games. The signal to start has been
| given--they are off with a dash II
here is one who has failed to make a
GOOD start his chances to win are few
So with the Christian. Not all, but
great deal depends upon a good be-
| ginning--a beginning with determin-
alton and decision. Keep the object
| Of the race before you and allow
nothing to hinder you in the course.
! We need more men to-day who,
/ like the Reformer OF the Church,
stand firm upon their convictions.
| Had he not decided with SO much de-
| termination that the church needed
/ cleansing, had he not stood so firmly
at Worms before the papal prelates
( and declared, Here / stand, I cannot
do otherwise. God help me- his mis-
sion might have failed and his effort
spent in vain. Set about any task Ian
guidly, half heartedly and failure is
inevitable. When General Grant de-
termined that the course he was
about to pursue was the proper one,
and said. II shall fight it out along
these lines II 1t takes all summer"
his battles were half won. SO Is the
life of a Christian. Confess Christ,
not half heartedly, not weakly, but
with determination that come what
will you will always be a faithful fol-
lower. This is essential; make
good start. and having started, con-
centrate all effort "This one thing
I do" says Saint Paul. II press to-
ward the mark" Concentration, like
decision, is essential to success. The
difference between the amateur and
the artist is that the one pursues his
art only occasionally and subordinate
ly, the other continuously and prima-
rily. There are too many amateurs
among Christians, too many who are
religious only spasmodically. Make
your Christian life your highest aim.
IL does not demand that you remove
yourself to a monastery or cloister
or wander alone in the wilderness. 1t
does not need to interfere with the
legitimate aims of life, but in them all
we may be striving for the one end
to mold our lives that we may please
Him. Concentrate your effort: IL Is
very essential that you should run
with all your speed. How ridiculous
sluggard would have appeared
lounging about the ancient Stadium.
protesting to be runner, but never
progressing beyond the starting point.
Why shall he enter the race If ne does
not determine to run and run hard?
The secret lies in filling our lives
with good acts that we have no room
for evil. Walk in the spirit and ye
shall not fulfill the lusts Of the flesh"
Ours is positive life, life of Great
ing new desires rather than the
crushing OF old cnes. II must be a
life of progress.
1t is also essential that one keep to
the course. To leave it may demand
return to the starting point. The
prodigal son had travelled far from
home, but he had left the course and
had to plod YEARLY back to his faith
er's home step by step. 1t is not diff
cult to know the course. The first
Victor has gone before us and we
need only follow Him. The Word
ealightens the way for us. The chief
requi?eme mt is that we obey II.
Again, having begun the race, it is
essential that you persevere to the
end. The competitors in the Olym-
plan games had only short distances
W ult consequently lucl put all lHeII
effort in one short squirt. Our life is
not SO as viewed from the finite stand
point We cannot put all our effort
into few moments and then, weary
and enfeebled, be forced TO relinquish
the race. Let us run with patience
the race and not start at such pace
that we will be exhausted be ore we
have finished the course. There are
some Christians VINO, in their first
enthusiasm. spend ali their effort and
then become disheartened. Realize
tha. the race of Christian requires
one continuous effort. and strive ac-
cordingly. Persevere to the end.
Then what Is the result OF all this ef-
fort?
The reward-It has its recompense
upon earth. "Godliness is profitable
unto all things. having promise of
the life that now Is and of the life to
come" The man who lives the life
of the Christian athlete profits physi-
cally, for 1t inculcates temperance,
self-respect, industry and cleanliness.
II helps him mentally. All other
things being equal, the man who fol-
lows the rules of the Christian will
be capable of the highest mental re-
suits. His mind has not become
clouded with sin. But above all this,
It is profitable now in spiritual
sphere II gives to him o quletness
OF conscience, sense of security un-
der the fatherly protection of God,
the assurance OF pardon for sins and
the Joy and helpfulness OF prayer
This Is but the earnest of greater
and grander prize.
In the Stadium the prize, like all
earthly honors, was perishable. But
the faithful Christian wins an incor-
ruptible crown. A proud moment 1t
was when the successful racer had
the chaplet placed upon his brow
amid the applause and admiration of
the multitude. A grander moment
for the Christian conqueror when,
amid the shouts of rejoicing myriads,
the pierced hands OF the Saviour
place upon his head the crown of
glory, and he hears the words. well
done. thou good and faithful servant,
enter thou into the Joy of thy re-
ward.
Rolling Snow on New York Roads.