Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-07-20
Pastor RusseII's Sermon

enter into the joys Of the Lord-be-
yond the veil. Now we know in part
the wondrous things Of our Heavenly
Fathers character and Plan. and Of
our Redeemer's love and sympathy,
and OF each others love and sympathy;
then we shall know even as we are
known, is the guarantee of the inspired
Apostle.
Now we see as through an obscure
glass the things which the natural eye
cannot see nor hear, neither can enter
into the heart Of the natural man, but
which God has revealed unto us by
His Spirit But they are still more or
less obscure to us. We cannot weigh
nor appreciate the wonderful glories
which God has in reservation for US,
but then we shall see Him face to
face, as ST. Paul declares.
~ As we meet here today as New
Creatures In Christ we seek to know
each other as God knows us, not after
the flesh, but after the spirit. But for
all that we experience difficulties. 1t
Is often difficult for us to entirely over
look the flesh OF our fellows, as they
no doubt have difficulty in overlooking
our blemishes in the flesh. But OH
what will 1t be to be therel All the
imperfectlons and weaknesses OF the
flesh, against which we must now fight
all these will then be gone.
Have we not the promise, I'VE shall
be like Him, for we shall see Him as
He isT Have we not the promise
again that. sown In weakness, we
shall be raised IN power; sown in dis
honor, we shall be raised in glory;
uown an animal body we shall be rails
cd spirit body2 Have we not the
further promise respecting that glo-
rlous resurrection change. which shall
lift us completely out Of the human
and into the divine nature, that 1--WE
must all be changed" "for flesh and
blood cannot inherit the Kingdom OF
GodT q Corinthians XIV, so, 5ll
Further Trials-Further 5attlings.
C8 Another difference between this
Convention and the great one promised
in our text Is that we shall go from
here to our homes TO engage afresh In
warfare with sin within and without
TO continue our warfare as good sol
dlers of Jesus Christ under the Cap
taincy Of our Redeemer. We shall go
from here realizing that our trials and
testlngs are not yet ended, that the
soup" which the Father hath poured
for us we have not yet drained
We shall 10 forth from here remem-
bering that we "have not yet resisted
unto blood. striving against sin" and
lighting "tho good fight Of faith" We
shall return to our homes with the
thought that we still have need of the
scrlptural exhortation, watch, and
"stand fast; "Qult you like mem; "Put
on the whole armor that ye may be
able to stand In the evil day, and, hay
ing done all. to stand"
We will go from here realizing that
In all probability this season Of refresh
ment we have enjoyed has been part
Of the Fathers good providence for us
whereby we shall be the stronger, the
more courageous, the better prepared
for further trials, besetments, Difficult
ties and conflicts with the world, the
flesh and the Adversary.
But when we reach the glorious Con
vention mentioned by the Apostle, al
the 1ghtings and trials and testing'
will be In the past. For us, therefore
there win be no more slghlng, no more
crying, no more dying, no more fight
ings, no more crosses, no more suffer
ings, but instead life eternal, Joy
eternal, glory. honor and Immortality
at our dear Redeemer's right hand o
favor Well do know that this hop,
OF sharing In the General Assembly o
the Church Of the First-borns strength
ems your heart and nerves you 20 loyal
ty and falthfulness to the Lord, tn,
Truth and the brethren as the days &,
by.
Let rs console ourselves with thI
thought that whatever Is the will o
God concerning US must necessarily b,
for our highest welfare and best inter
ests, II, therefore, II is not yet tm
for US 10 pass beyond the veil, II !
because our Heavenly Father aud Re
deemer have a work for us to do II
the present llfe-either a work OF fur
ther polishing upon our own charac
ters or a work OF helping the brethren
for we remember the declaration tina
the Bride ls to make herself ready 10
that event We are to build one an
other up In the most holy faith, en-
couraglng, strengthening. sympathi'
ing with aud assisting one another 4
running the race for the great Prize
Another happfylng thought W
should take with IA to our home
Is the Lords promise, 81 will ueye
leave thee nor forsake thee" An
again, "My grace is sufficient for the,
for My strength is made perfect In th
weakness" And again, I'VE kno,
that all things work together for goo
10 those who love the Lord, to IN
called according TO His purpose."-R'
mans viii, 2S
SO then, dear friends, we will not n
turn to our homes like an army corr
In retreat. but rather rs q company {
good soldiers who have been we'll fe
and refreshed aud encouraged an
stimulated, we win return to oJ
homes full Of good courage, fun ,
Joyful anticipation Of the coming Grei
Convention of the Church Of the Flrs
borns; full OF renewed determinatlo