The Penn's Grove record., 1911-04-21

let him take up his cross and follow me-
Matthew 1924.
Jesus is a great teacher and seeks
to impart unto his followers funda-
mental truth. 1t Is of utmost i'm
portance that men have a correct con-
ception Of Jesus Christ himself. Hence
the question he asked the twelve in
the beginning of this chapter. Whom
do men say that l the son of man,
amp" What the world thinks of him
Is important, but he had a more per-
sonal question to ask: Whom do We
say that I ann" Then Peter speaking
as the father gave him utterance,
said: Thou are Christ, the son of the
living God" This is the basic fact of
Christianity.
Notwithstanding Peter gave utter
ance to this great truth, the master in
a short while administers to him the
sternest rebuke that he ever admin
istered to any follower of his.
He then proceeds to outline the con
ditions Of discipleship, "f any man
will" The highest expression Of re-
ligton is not to be found in reason.
Our conclusions cannot be infallible,
because they are the result of train
ing, and, In some instances, condi-
lions. Yet we should cultivate this
faculty. The master v put a pre-
MUM upon ignorance. He desires In
telligent as well as faithful service.
Neither is the highest expression of
religion found In. emotion, though this
is an important part Of our natures,
Strong men sometimes disparage emo
ton. The emotions are productive of
great good and much happiness, but
they cannot be depended upon as final
in religious expression.
But the highest expression Of re-
ligion is to be found In the human
will. Christ Is not concerned about
who is able. for he has made 1t pos
sible for every man to inherit eternal
life. But he is vastly concerned about
who will. One has said that the nor
NAL man is two-thirds will and ne-
third intellect. The intellect is the
shell, the will is the powder within
the she'll that gives 1t its force and
power. The feelings are the waves
thrown off from the side Of a great
ship; the will is the rudder under
meath, unseen, yet all important.
People who are governed entirely
by their emotions are hard to handle
and make most of the trouble in any
sphere. A great locomotive can draw
a large number of empty cars, but
kh1r ~or1Lo ~ ~raof Ino1 ~ nnfco ond
1t is difficult to keep them on the
track. 1t Is necessary for the church
to pull a great many empties, but
they are noisy and unstable. Religion
is not the extinction of the will. When
we say ''Thy will be DONE" 1t does not
mean the destruction, but the develop
ment of our will to the point where it
comedies with the will of God. Hugh
Price Hughes has given an admirable
definition of sanctification. He says:
1T Is a supreme desire not to want to
have our own way"
"I.et him deny himself" This means
vastly more than physical self-denial.
There is often a species Of selfishness
In self-denial. Men become recluses
when they could be useful.
Ages ago certain classes of men
thought they had found the secret of
a holy life. They shut themselves up
In monasteries at large. They learned
what we learn today, that the great
est temptations are not the ones that
come from without, but the ones that
come from within. The strong man
fortifes himself against the enemy
that can be seen, then falls before the
one that steals upon him from within
his own life.
"And take up his cross" This In
dicates a positive life. We are not
told to fall under the weight of the
cross, but to bear up under it. We
are not to be passive, inactive men
under difficulties but men OF victory.
Victory was never won except by ag-
g-ressiveness. The man of action, even
though the action be not always com
mendable, is more honored than the
man who has the courage to act at
all. Every persons cross is not the
same. but crosses there will be in
every life. IT'S the power to bear the
cross and not to let the cross bear US
that determines the character of our
discipleship.
"And follow me-" Christianity is
not a code of laws. Rules cannot be
made for every future condition of
life. Instead of it being obedience to
rules and regulations it is a life to be
lived full and glorious In accordance
with the will of God, which is revealed
unto us. If we are willing we shall
know of the doctrine.
Except ye become as little children
We shall In nowfse enter the kingdom"
The master does not meal for us to
become puerile and childish. If ever
strong men were needed to do the
work that God wants done, that time
Is now
What he wants is that we shall have
the spirit of t~eachableness we find In
the child. The child realizing its lack
Of knowledge seeks to learn. We are
70 have the same spirit with reference
To religion. The spirit of God will not
leave the willing mind in darkness.
Finally Christian character is not
so much an attainment as 1t is a
growth. At the last 1t will not be
iudged by its accomplishments. but by
the progress 1t has made.
Life Through Faith.
Faith bears fruit. 1t cannot help It