The copper era and Morenci leader., 1912-01-12
What Is It to Be a Christian? By Dr. H. T. MUSSELLMAN,
 of Philadelphia ~


 
 TEXT-How often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive im?-Matt XVIII, H.
 What is it to be Christian? It 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. I am a Christian in so far as I possess the spirit Of Christ. do not possess 1t complete ly. If I did, I would be a second Christ. I cannot possess the spirit of Christ completely. But I am a Chris tian in so far as I possess this spirit of Christ. - ' What was the spirit of Christ? l must seek to have the mind of Jesus. In the first place, Jesus Christ pos sessed the spirit of trust. He never was afraid. Then the first thing in Christian spirit Is trust. There were nights when be went out under the eastern stars and gazed up at the cerulean blue and talked to God in prayer. Yet even in the garden of Gethsemane as he prayed, Father, il 1t be possible let this cup pass from my lips he was not afraid. It was his heavenly Fathers world. A man Is a Christian insofar as he possesses the spirit of trust. Why should we be afraid in this world, when "the heavens declare the glory of God?'' It is Gods world. When calamities come they should not dismay. I am not sure that even God could develop us into the kind of characters he wants us to be without the aid of trouble. t
 Jesus Christ also possessed the spirit of trust in men. He felt that | people are worth while. Let him who has not sinned cast the first stone" This petty jealousy, this crooking the finger of scorn, this lack of trust and faith in men, is almost as bad as the lack of trust in God.
 Christ possessed the spirit of in- finite pity, and I, too, if l am to be Christian, must possess the spirit Of pity. He came to save the lost and his great heart went out in yearn1ng pity for all humanity. Even as he sat and looked at Jerusalem, the city which was to cruelty him, he said, 70, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how oft would I have gathered you as hen gathereth her brood, but you would not" even then overcome with com passion Without pity Christianity is defective. You may get to heaven- am not bothering so much about heaven It is the now I am concerned about God will take care of heaven
 am a Christian and you are Christian insofar as we possess the spirit of forgiveness. Every man whc is worth anything makes some enc , mics. We have ample opportunity tc display the spirit of forgiveness. Look how injustice came to Jesus. They said he performed his works because he was a devil, and see how he me1 it. With the great spirit of forgive ness. and when he had Host out," a. the world said, but had succeeded il a greater manner, he offered up tht prayer of forgiveness on the cross l saying, Father, forgive them; the! , know not what they do." His grea : heart broke with compassion and for giveness. I don't care how much yo' have been sinned against, you canno !, afford to have, any other but the spiri of forgiveness.
 l l : spirit of love. The very climax of tn : acts that make up human life is tn touch of affection. Only as love mel can I have the power over men. a man finds that my heart beats atm l with him he opens his heart to me l AS we possess the spirit of love w v are Christians. Though speak wit l the tongues of men and of angels ! ! and have not love, I have become a $ sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. 2 In my humble judgment, much of tn : talk that comes from pulpits and pla e forms fails to inspire the hearers wit
 the determination to live nobler bt
 cause there is not that current of love
 A Christian is one who renders tn :. humble service of Christ and possesse | the spirit of Jesus. Are there pel
 feet Christians? No. If there wer
 there would be so many Christs. Ther a are 10 perfect Christians. We are a
 simply partial Christians, and for thi
 reason we ought to be kindly dispose " to the shortcomings of others.