Newport daily independent., 1911-03-28

tlSt but the least ln the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he" Uuke vii, 2S). Very large and interested audiences attended. He leaves to- night for Copenhagen and Stockholm. Crowds of Jews are reported to have heard him during the last three days in Vienna, Budapest, Lemberg and Krakow.
 There can be no better illustration of the sharp line of distinction between the earthly and the heavenly classes and their calling than is shown by our text, said Pastor Russell. The great Teacher freely attested to the loyalty and courage and saintliness of his cou- sin John, as shown by the words of our text. But if so great and honor able Prophet. why could not John be member of the Bride class? Why could he not be numbered with the dis ciples of Jesus and be an Apostle, or at least footstep follower? The an- swer is that he was not called to the heavenly plane, but to the earthly.
 A Friend of the Bridegroom.
 Jesus had two-fold mission:-
 CD He came "that the world through Him might be sayed"-that He might '.give Himself ransom for all, to be testified in due tine''
 CD Incidentally His mission was to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord-the time in which God was will ing to accept the sacrifices of such as desire to walk in the Redeemers foot steps and to constitute these the Bride and Joint-heir of Messiah
 John the Baptist referred to the lat ter feature of oar Lords work. saying, He that hath the Bride is the Bride groom, but the friend of the Bride groom heareth His voice and rejoiceth greatly. This, my joy, therefore, is full filled John iii, 29). It was not for him to be member of the Bride, but he rejoiced to be friend of the Bride groom. As His forerunner he announc- ed the Bridegroom
 Greatest In the Kingdom.
 We must remember that the Church is the Kingdom of God-now in for native or embryonic state, but in the end, by "the resurrection, to be spirit beings and glorious and partakers with Jesus their Bridegroom in His wonder full glory, honor, immortality and King reigning now but merely forming. It is joined on probation after the Meth odist style. If the probationary period of the present life be faithfully used the full induction into the Kingdom, its glories, honors and immortality, will surely follow-by participation in the First Resurrection.
 Amongst the faithful followers of the Master there will still be differ ence; as St. Paul explains, "as one star differeth from another star in gl0- ry q Corinthians xv, Al. We cannot know, and 1t is not necessary for us to guess. as to who shall occupy the chief places in the Kingdom. These shall be given to those whom the Father pre- fers. as the Redeemer explained to His two earnest followers, who asked that they might sit. one on His right hand
 
 Kingdom (Matthew xxx. 2I.
 John the Baptist Glass.
 To what class does John the Baptist belong, and what will be his share in the Kingdom, according to our text?
 Since the call of God began with the call of the Church, and since it began at the First Advent of Jesus, it follows that no one was called of God to saliva tion prior to Jesus time-none until forty -one hundred and fifty years after sin entered the world. Their faith and obedience were pleasing to God as St. Paul relates-'all these died in faith, not having received the things prom ised (them), God having provided some better thing for us (the Gospel Church,, that they without us should not be made perfect" Hebrews xii, 13. 4O).
 Moreover these Ancient Worthies, while not members of the Kingdom, per SC, which will be spiritual, will be members of that Kingdom in its eart't- M phase. They will be the Kingdoms earthly representatives, princes or rulers, in all the earth, as the Scrip lures declare Psalm xiv, 16). We re- member the words of Jesus to this ef- feet. Foretelling His Kingdom he de clares. s.Ye shall see Abraham. Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdom. but He said not a word about Himself or His disciples beSag seen: properly so because they. being spirit beings, will be invisible to men.
 With such glorious hopes before US. with such appreciation of our heaven ly Fathers glorious character and won derful Plan. with such q grand view oi our Savior's work. with such hope of share with Him in His Kingdom what manner of persons ought We 70 be in holy conversation and godiness Nor should it be thought strange that any of the spirit-begotten now, oi. the restored Of the future who would turn their backs upon the gracious pro- visions made for their salvation, would be unworthy of further favor or bless
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