The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-12

are meeting new temptations eho MAX
ing new resolutions. Let us try then
not to make these resolutions in
dull, conventional way because IT
seems the usual thing to do, or be-
cause we know some one else making
them, but let as have high resolve,
saying daily to God In our prayers,
60 God. l want to give myself to
Thee; body. mind and SOUL l conse-
crate myself; forgive my sins, help
me to be better; help me to be real
Christian"
The making OF good resolutions is
only beginning. 1t has a value and
a blessing, but TO carry out the re-
solves that will make US good men
and women is the chief thing. Let US
each ask the question: How are We
going TO keep these resolutions? Are
We going to struggle hard against
temptations?
The essential thing in life is charac
TEL The organization of religion into
4 church is important. the formulation
of religion into a creed is of import
ance, but the supreme thing to form
Is character. There is comparatively
little in the gospels about either creed
or church. but the whole New Testa-
ment is a book OF good living; It's
message is one OF righteousness; the
chief concern is character.
The young man comes running to
the Master. and kneeling before Him
says: What good thing shall 1 do
that l may have eternal life?' He Is
still a type OF the earnest youth enter
ing a new year OF his life. His heart
is filled with fine enthusiasm: he
wants to make the most OF himself:
he looks ahead along the way OF his
life. asking to be guided Alright.
And we all remember the Masters
answer: IF thou will enter into
life, keep the comma ndments'-
I'D ten familiar statements of
the moral law. We all know that
youth marches towards maturity upon
a road 5eset with ambuscades. On
all sides is temptation. difiicult
journey. and yet one all must take.
How will we get to our goal?
The first resolution in the rule OF
life OF Il Christian is to be honest.
That does not mean an honesty deter
mined by the law. but an honesty
which is maintained for It's own sake
in the sight o, God. Such sense OF
honesty forbids wronsdoing even
though it would never be known. This
sense of honesty must be cherished
and strengthened. for It IS through the
yielding to small temptations that
great weakness comes. The only
safety is to be unfaflingly scrupulous
iii the very least things.
The Pharisees devoured widows
houses. and for a pretense made long
prayers. And the true Christian must
keep free from any hypocrisy.
The second resolve in the Christian
rule Of life Is to be clean minded. The
true Christian is as particular about
his mind as he IS ABOUT his face ana
hands. St Paul speaks OF offenSes Of
the lips He says there is a kind OF
foolish talking and testing" which
is not becoming with the character OF
q Christian. II the mind Is kept pure
and clean, vulgar or wicked thought
cannot emanate from it. Our Lord
speaks OF the ofrenses of the eyes. IF
thine eye offend thee. pluck it out.
This means we are to deal severely
with ourselves and keep our bodies
under subsection. We must shut our
eyes TO what would put our souls in
Iern. Phe third resolution for a
Christian is TO heed the voice of con-
science. II is by this means God
speaks to us Our consclences will
remain sensitive il we will not seek
10 harden them by sin and weakness
1t - seldom that We cannot perceive
the right. but il is not seldom that we
fail to do it. AS fourth resolution
the Christian should form a determi-
nation to increase the happiness Of
life. He must not be content with the
ItNtlOpUltN NJ OF NE oN ~ dNNtt nov
ing laid this foundation. he must build
or II by ministering to others In every
walk OF life. by bringing joy to them.
Jesus came not to goe ministered unto.
but TO minister. He gave even His
life for the general good. No one can
approach unto the measure OF His
stature who is not in some way fol-
loving His example At the least
should We exercise consideration forl
others by not making their lives
harder We should constantly be on
nc watch for opportunities Of service.
II is in the home that religion is
riost stou;ly tested. and there the
grace Of helpfulness has continual OPP
portuni;y. The resolutions % which
We have spoken lie deep in the ground.
They are the foundation on which the
Fc no