The Harrison times., 1912-03-02

"
| XVIII, a.
What Is It to be a Christian? 1t Is
! to possess the spirit Of Jesus, Jesus
was greater than the things he did
Every Christian must be greater than
| the things he does, am Christian
in 50 far as ! possess the spirit OF
Christ do not possess 1t complete
| ly If | did, | would be second
| Christ. cannot possess the spirit OF
Christ completely, But am Chris
Uan in so far as | possess this spirit
Of Christ
What was the spirit Of Christ? !
must seek TO have the mind Of Jesus
IN the first place, Jesus Christ pos
sessed tho spirit Of trust He never
was afraid. Then the first thing in
Chrisuan spirit is trust There were
nights when lie wen, out under lha
eastern stars and ga2ed up at the
ceruean blue and talked 20 God in
prayer. Yet even in the garden OF
Ge'hscmano as he prayed, Father, II
It be possible let this cup pass from
my Ipa" he was not afraid, 1t was
his heavenly Fathers world A man
is Christian insofar as he possesses
the spirit Of trust why should we
be afraid in this world, when "the
heavens declare the glory of GodI
n is Gods world. When calamtes
come they should not dismay | am
not sure that even God could develop
us into the kind Of characters he
wants US to be without the aid Of
trouble
Jesus Christ also possessed the
syrit Of trust IN men, lie felt that
people are worth while Let him who
has not sinned cast the first stone.
This petty jealousy this crooNng the
finger Of acOrn this lack Of trust an'
faith In men, Is almost as bad as the
lack OF trust In God,
Christ possessed the spirit OF IN
finite pity, and |, too, If | am to be q
Christian, must possess the spirit OF
pity. lie came TO save the lost and
his great heart went out In yearnlns
pity for all humanity Even as he
sat and looked at Jerusalem, the city
which was 10 cruelty him, he said.
20, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how of
would | have gathered you as hen
gathercth her brood but you would
not" even thon overcome with com
passion without pity Christianity Is
defective, You may get TO heaven !
am not bothernR 30 much about
heaven. 1t Is the now | am concerned
about. God viii take care Of heaven
am n Christian and you are a
Christian insofar rs We possess the
spirit Of forgiveness. Every man who
Is worth anything makes some enc
mics. We have ample opportunity TO
display the spirit Of forgiveness Look
how Injustice came 70 Jesus, TheS
said he performed his works because
nc was deyil and see how he met
II. with the great spirit Of forgive.
ness, and when he had "lost out az
tho world said, but had succeeded IN
a greater manner he offered up the
prayer Of forgiveness on the cross,
saying, Father forgive them; they
know no, what they DO" His grca'
heart broke with compassion and for
gIvoucss don't care how much you
nave leon slnncd against, you cannot
AFFORD 70 have any other but the spirit
Of forgiveness.
II am n Christian ! possess the
spirit Of love The very climax Of the
acts that make up human life is the
touch Of affection Only as love mon
can have the power over men, Il
a man finds that my heart beats alune
with him he OPENS his heart TO me
As we posecas the spirit OF love We
are Christians "Though ! speak with
the tongues of men and 1U angels
and hay, not love, have become as
sounding brass or tnklirR rymbaI '
In my humble judgment mach OF the
talk that comes from pulpIts ana plat
forms fails to inspire the hearers with
the determination to live noblor be-
cause thcrc ls not that current Of love
A Christian In one who rcndors The
humble service OF Christ and possesses
the apIrit Of Jesus Are there per
feet Chrlsuan89 no If there wore
lhere would be so many Christs There
are 40 perfect Christians We are all
simply partial Christians and for Dhi.
reason we ought to be kindly disposed
! IA tho shortcomings Of others