The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-07-01
need DAILY EASTER
Too Many Hesitating Christians
Who Neglect Opportunity to
"let Their Light Shine"

the round year, the brightest is that
which commentaries the most thrill.
ling fact In the history Of the human
race-Christ's triumph over the power
, OF death and the grave. Easter bells
ring from church towers. Easter flow.
ers make the house OF God fragrant;
and Easter hymns are pitched to the
most jubilant key. All this is very
beautiful and inspiring; but there are
multitudes OF people who profess and
call themselves Christians who need
something more than flowers or songs
or Easter sermons. Their daily lives
are not very joyous or vigorous; 1t is
| a gasping for breath rather than a
growth In grace. There is not much
bloom or fragrance In their religion.
The most that they can honestly say
for themselves is: well, l think that
| was converted some time ago, and |
am a member of the church. and I
hope that / am a Christian" They
are like the comics, "a feeble folk
with little muscle In their faith. little
ring In their devotion. and little pow
er in their influence on those around
them. What these people need to
have is a genuine Easter for their
souls.
The Easter message to them is: III
ye be risen with Christ. seek those
things which are above, where Christ
Is. Set your mind on things above.
and not on things Of the earth" We
seldom get better things than we seek
for: and you, my good friends. may be
grubbing away-like Bunyan's man
with his muck.rake-among the
straws and rubbish. while there Is a
crowd In the air above you. What
you need Is first look higher, and then
strive to live higher. Set your mind
on something better than merely get.
ting on in the world, and aim at get
ting up. which is infinitely more i'm
portant. Adding dollar to dollar In
your income or adding room to room
In your dwelling or round to round In
the ladder of social promotion. is not
the true mark Of the prize for a Chris
tian. THERE'S a loftier realm OF spir-
itual life-of which the risen Christ
is the center-that you should strive
to rise into. This need not make you
a visionary or a sentimentalist. or any
less a practical. everyday Christian.
You may make these everyday duties
in your business, in your shop or
study. In your home or elsewhere. the
stages in your climb upward towards
Jesus Christ.
Clean Heart From Sin.
AS you look searchingly into your
own heart you will probably find that
q great many besetting sins have
found houseroom there. A cleaning
and clearing out Is necessary IL you
would have the master dwell there.
You must make a fresh surrender OF
your heart to that loving Lord. even
as Peter did. What different man it
made of Peter! He had indeed risen
into Christ--into a close and vital. and
victorious union with his Lord. 1t
was a prodigious lift that hoisted the
sleeper of Gethsemane and the coward
Of Pilates court up into the heroic
thunderer whose single sermon con-
verted three thousand souls. Oh, IL
this Easter season could see a recon
secration Of Gods people. what q
Pentecostal power would be manifest.
What a new liberality in giving and
new zeal in working. What a new
revelation OF the risen Christ to an
ungodly world Even such a soldier of
Christ as Charles G. Finney confessed
that he sometimes found his power
lacking. When he put himself into
close communication with Jesus
Christ. and sought fresh baptism.
the currents OF spiritual power flowed
again mighty and irresistible.
Seeking the Things Above.
Similar experiences have happened
to tens of thousands of Christ's peo-
pie. They have realized their low es- !
tate and begun TO seek those things |
that are above" Instead OF grieving
and thwarting the holy spirit, they
have prayed to be filled with the spirit. /,
Instead OF leaving their Christian lives |
with a foundation but no edifice on 1t.
they have laid hold of building them |
selves up on their holy faith. In the |
love Of God" They have added to !
their faith. courage. meekness. temper !
ance. patience. and the other virtues
that beautify the Christian. A happy
and a glorious Easter will this be to
all who get a new vision OF the risen
Christ. and PROSTATE themselves in
humble alteration at his feet. and cry
out "Rabboni, Lord."-The late Rev. |
Theodore Cuyler, DID.