Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1913-07-17
GODS LOVE SHOWN
Prophet, Apostle, Preacher and
Religious Teacher May All
Translate the Message.

NuuS ASiNOF lot tue enrlCnmenI OF
others as well as for ourselves, by
an appropriation of the riches of Goo
in Christ Jesus"
Every one who has sufficiently come
to himself to realize that this Is not
his abiding place, but that his home
lies yonder. must feel the need OF
something that is not supplied by this
material world. There is longing de-
sire for something not made, nor Gre
ated, and therefore past finding out
by creatures of time. The spirit of
the inner man cries out for some
thing Of, and belonging to, eternity,
that an immortal soul, on the tossing,
| changeful sea Of human life. may be
able to rest upon.
The apostle claims to have found
this soul desideratum. and prays and
labors that others may also find 1t.
He would make all men see what is
the fellowship of the mystery, which
from the beginning of the world hath
been hid In God, who created all
| things by Jesus Christ: to the intent
that now unto the principalities and
powers in heavenly places might be
known by the church the manifold
wisdom OF Cod
Such fellowship comes by that faith
which honors man and ascribes glory
to the Creator, and furnishes the be-
lever with mental power and facilities
to scale the heights. and sound the
depths, and gain vision OF the
nd ~ h% Iz,, s~F
Christ. which passeth knowledge"
Strange paradox! To make known
the unknowable! Such Is the mission
Of the spirit through men, their words,
and their deeds. The ideal work of
prophet, apostle. preacher and relig-
fous teacher. Ia to translate the mes
| sage OF Gods love through Christ to
| world lost and ruined without 1t, In
| life and language that all men may
understand, and he Convinced OF sin,
| of righteousness and Of judgment"
He that hath an ear may hear what
The spirit saith unto the churches"
God 10 Love.
No man can translate the message
OF divine love until he has learned
the divine hatred of sin. Both the love
and the hate are revealed In the IA
cred history of Gods wonderful
works among the children of men"
Judgment and mercy each has its
message; one compliments the other,
| and should be studied together. When
! each Is considered In its proper rela-
| ton to the other, there are no contra
| dictions and nothing incredible. the
| "paradoxes Of divine love" blend as
| light and shade in the perfecting of a
| picture.
God Is love-" and all his doings
| among the children of men are acts of
mercy and for the eternal good of the
greater number When this Is seen by
the eye of faith, the heart yearns and
the mouth gives utterance: 20 that
men would therefore praise the Lord
for his goodness, and for his wonder
ful works among the children OF men"
For a true Interpretation OF the d.
vine revelation and for proper trans
lation of the message of Gods love
to lost world, there must be deep,
earnest sympathetic study of the
scriptures, under the guidance of the
holy spirit who inspired 1t. Then will
be seen the unity Of purpose run
ming through the whole Bible. That
purpose is expressed with epitomized
brevity in Ephesians Ill, 10, ITO know
the love of Christ, which passeth
knowledge, that ye might be filled
with all the fulness of Cod"
We can go back OF all beginning
and say, with the inspired Psalmist:
20 give thanks unto the Lord, for he
is good; for his mercy endureth for
worlds" He made great lights-"the
sun to rule by day, the moon and stars
TO rule by night.s In all this men are
ready to believe in the goodness and
mercy of the Almighty. But the same
inspired truth declares that "He slew
great kings and famous kings, for his
mercy endureth forever" We must
be in harmony with the whole truth,
believing that God is good and merci-
full when he destroys as well as when
he creates. The vessel, stamped with
the image of its maker, is married at
the potter's wheel; 1t must be broken
and made over again.
Purposes In His Providences.
Hard sayings" Dark sentences"
"Who can stand it?" "An austere man
II was afraid" my punishment is
greater than can bear"-These are
the unvise who criticise the unfinish.
ed work of the ALLOWING father.
Pain is often but the pressure of
the fathers hand, pressing his way
ward child closer to himself. The in
activity of months on bed of sick
ness has saved many soul that woxld
have lost itself in the swirl OF gaiety
and pleasure. For some, poverty and
toll are needed to save them from be-
coming ingrates to infinite love, which
supplies their need. Labor gives by
far more satisfying and fuller life
than idleness.
There are many who are blind to
the lofty purposes of God in his provi-