Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1913-07-05

| a little. but godli-
| ing promise of the life that now is
and that which is to come"
| would especially emphasize the
promise of the life that now is" be-
cause that is what most young peo-
pie are thinking about. They admit
the value of godliness so far as the
future is concerned, but that seems
afar off, 1t is the present that con-
Germs them, and II goodness can be
| of benefit to them now, they would
like to know it. You pay a premium
on a life insurace policy for many
years in the hope of securing an an
nuity in old age; or you venture your
capital in an investment with the ex-
pectation of an ultimate profit. but
godliness is not like those things. 1t
is more like a comfortable estate in
the hands OF trustee yielding a regu-
lar support, or a bona fide business
which maintains the proprietor from
the moment he engages in 1t.
In other words, there is not a single
want Of our nature for which there is
not a specific promise in the Bible
ready to be made over to us If we
comply with the simple and reasonable
conditions. Is>i food and raiment?
Seek We firstIthe kingdom of God
and his righteousness, and all these
things shall be added unto you" Is
it counsel and direction in our daily
affairs? IF any man may lack wis
dom, let him ask of God who giveth
to all men literally, and upbraideth
not" Is it support in old age and
death? MY God shall supply all your
needs according to his riches in glory
by Christ Jesus"
The Testimony Of Experience.
But passing now from the testimon,
of the Bible reflect on that from OBJ
servation and experience. Take the
question of health, and the life insur-
ance companies, just referred to. will
tell you that they make special rates
for those whose habits are supposed
to be promoted by true godliness.
Take the question of fortune, and
while 1t is not affirmed that the godly
always become rich in this worlds
goods, yet they make better workmen.
more judicious managers and clearer
thinkers. all of which improves their
financial status. The blessing of the
Lord it maketh rich and he addeth no
sorrow with it"
Take the question of ones influence
and standing among men. Does not
the world respect and value a truly
godly man? Would not the world rath-
er deal with men who obey the laws
of God than with those who disobey
them? A truly godly man will not sell
his vote, nor defraud .neighbor. nor
deceive Q iriend. y He will give full
measure and weight, and will tell the
ruth.
What Is Goodness?
But what is godliness? 1t is MOI
merely making a profession of Chris
tianity and uniting with the church.
because there IS such a thing as the
form Of godliness without its power"
The thought of this text is addressed
to young man who was already a
Christian; who had already believed
on the Lord Jesus Christ, and had
been regenerated by his Holy Spirit;
and that to which he is urged is sim
ply to conform his daily life more to
the gospel he had thus embraced. To
practice godliness, therefore, one must
first be godly. and to be godly in the
Bible meaning of that term. involves
a clean heart and a right spirit which
God bestows on them who accept him
and confess his Son. He that hath
the Son hath life and he that hath
not the Son of God, hath not life"
Il Jno. V. 12). The first principle of
goodness is obedience to God, and the
first principle of that obedience is
submission to the yoke of Christ.
There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which taken at the flood. leads on to for
tune;
Omitted. all the voyage of their life
, Is bound In shadows and in miseries."
II fortune be taken in its highest
and hottest sense, then the tide that
carries thither Is the Name Above
: Every Name, and there is none other
name under heaven given among men
whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:
12). Now is the accepted time. today
is the day of salvation" e Cor. 6:2).
Hear and your soul shall live"
Learn a lesson from the times.
In these days men are bent on the
development of their outward man. but
do thou, not neglecting or despising
that, be equally bent on the develop
ment Of thy inner man.