The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-07-18

drowsiness. amongst Christian people
! Many have mixed for themselves theo
logical potions, In which form OF
godliness combined with worldiness is
producing lethargy as respects good
Bible study. Christian character and
the service of God as HisIambassadors.
We would like to awaken these, to
have them know that they are trifling
with the Gospel call, and unless they
take the eeisive step they will be for
ever outside the High Calling and priv
| ileges of the Church
For What May Saints Pray?
Not only is the privilege 81 prayer
confined to the consecrated people of
God. "sanctjfied In Christ Jesus" but
even these are restricted in respect to
what things they may properly pray
for ST. james calls attention to the
fact that many prayers are entirely
unheard. because the petitioners have
asked amiss''-for the qualification of
their own selfish desires.
The Master tells us the conditions
upon which we may have the assur-
ance of the Divine response. He says,
IF We abide in Me. and My words
abide in you, We shall ask what We
will, and 1t shall be done unto you"
! John 1919 At first this appears to
give Gods consecrated people the
right to ask for anything and to expect
everything.
But note again the conditions: %
IF We abide in Me-" Those who are
in Christ are New Creatures; to them
"old things have passed away. and all
| things have become new" Those who
have thus come into membership in
the Body of Christ, the consecrated
| Church, have given up their own wills.
have set aside earthly aims and pros
poets, and have accepted instead the
will of the Lord and the Heavenly
hopes and prospects set before them
| In His Word These therefore. do not
wish to ask for earthly things. but
merely to request the Heavenly things,
which would assist them in making
their calling and election sure.
Then comes the other consideration:
~ eff Ny Words abide in YOU This
signifies that the petitioner not only
has a new will-the will of the Master
but that he has sought to know what
that will is. as expressed in the Mas
ter's words, or teachings. And all
such pupils in the school of Christ are
taught of Him and guided into the
understanding of the Scriptures. hence
are able to rightly divide the Word Of
Truth, to appreciate the promises
which belong at the present time to
the Church, and to differentiate these
from the promises for the world in
the next Age. These know what to
ask for, and having the Masters spirit,
would ask for nothing else. Thus all
their petitions. being for spiritual
things promised in the Scriptures.
would have rich fulfilment.
"Pray Without Ceasing."
When St Paul urges the consecrated
Church to pray without ceasing" and
Sin everything give thanks" he evil
IDENTIFY does not refer to formal pray
ers, but rather to that prayerful att-
tude of the heart which under all cir
cumstances and conditions looks to
God-either for wisdom and guidance
to do His will, or with thanksgiving
and praise for blessings received and
prayers answered.
Nothing in the Apostles language in
dicates that the Lords people should
be always on their knees. or on the
~ hand hot thnu chnIIl6
upon their knees, but merely that they
should uplift their hearts to God at all
times and in all of life's affairs. The
priests in the type offered the morn
ing and the evening sacrifices before
the Lord, and so the Royal Priest
hood surely desire that every morning
and every evening Divine mercy and
blessings should be acknowledged with
thanksgiving and appreciation,
Not only so. but parental duty prop
erly requires that the Christian parent.
so far as possible, should worship with
immature children for whom he stands
as secondary priest. and hat he should
offer with these tn, .sgiving and
praise, and petition for wisdom and
guidance to the knowing and doing of
the will of God
The Church of Christ. the Royal
Priesthood. is a special family of God.
"All We are brethren. One is your Mas
ter" and zone Is your Father" When
ever these meet, worship and praise
should constitute a part of their ac
acknowledgement of the Heavenly Fa
ther. Hymns Of praise should prop
erly be considered prayer, united
worship. in which all may participate.
But If any of the Lords family, the
Royal Priesthood, have gotten into sin.
he should hesitate to take any public
part in prayer or worship. He should
consider himself. because of his en-
and hearken to the message, Unto the
wicked God saith, What hast thou to
do to declare My statutes. or that thou
shouldest take My covenant in thy
mouth? seeing thou latest instruction
and easiest My words behind thee"
Psalm 50:16. IL
All, what changes would be wrought
in Christendom if this principle were
understood and applied! Many costly
choirs of unbelievers would be dis
missed. The congregational singing
would be much behind it's present
musical standard for time at least
but much more acceptable to God.
Who can dispute that some time the
Christian standard will he lifted RI q