The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-08-31

in which they have considerable OF the
worlds scorn. That scorn directly and
indirectly reflects against the Divine
Character and the Divine Word.
In illustration Of this conviction the
Pastor cited the fact that the Divine
blessing has been with his work. He
admitted that the money passing
through his hands is really as nothing
compared with the large sum spent
annually by the various Christian de-
nominations. He admitted that the
International Bible Students Associa.
ton owns no valuable real estate and
cannot boast Of large bank accounts.
They have followed the plan of using
actively and economically in Gods
service whatever money has voluntari-
ly come to them-not seeking to build
temples made with hands, but to pre-
pare the living stones for the glorious
Temple Of Christ beyond the veil.
Under this arrangement. they never
spend more than what is in hand. God
has blessed the work, and the unsolic-
tied donations increase year by year.
The activities incidental to the use Of
these funds extend now to all parts Of
the earth. preaching the Message Of
Gods Love and helping to open eyes
Of understanding long blinded by
creeds, PHILOSOPHERS $50 called" and
Misunderstanding Of the Word Of God.
Generosity 10 GodIlkeness.
In declaring generosity to be Godlike-
ness, the Pastor wished his hearers not
to misunderstand him to mean that
gifts Of money could purchase Divine
favor and relationship. He trusted
that his views, following closely the
Scripture lines on this subject, are
widely known; namely, that there is
only nj way into the Fathers favor
and into His family-the way of re-
nouncement Of sin and turning to right
%eousness, Of acceptance of Christ's re-
dempt1ve work and of full consecra-
ton through Him to do the Fathers
will, ever unto death. Only such spirit
begotten ones are acknowledged in the
Bible as children of God. All others
are scripturally described to be aliens,
strangers and foreigners" from God
and His promises.
But the speaker wished all to dis
Germ that there are undetermined souls
who have not entered this marrow
gate" and who are not, therefore, chill
dren Of God, but who, nevertheless, by
nature possess traits Of G~odlikeness.
Notwithstanding their share in the fall.
Bensvolence, generosity, charity in its
true sense, wherever found is a trace
Of the Godlikeness in which our first
parents were created. Noble-minded
people Of the world In practising chart
ty are initiating one of the highest
qualities of the Divine character, and
forthwith they experience a blessing
whenever they exercise their charita-
BILE instincts.
AS for Christians, we find, as the
Apostle declares, that they are natu-
rally a varied assortment; for they
possess, some more and some less, of
the Godlike qualities. and some more
and ome less, of the depraved traits.
But following their begetting Of the
Holy Spirit, these become more and
more generous, benevolent, charitable.
Under the instruction and discipline
Of the School Of Christ, the Spirit Of
Love, the Spirit of God, the Holy Spir-
It, is more and more shed abroad In
their hearts, For them the great les
o Of life If this lesson of love, chart
ty, sympathy for the Truth, for one
another and for the world.
Blessed In Their Giving.
God is the great Oliver, Of whom the
Apostle says, Every good and per-
feet gift cometh down from the Fa-
Their Of Lights" The Lord Jesus
Christ exempliied to mankind Gods
great Love, and showed that He Him.
self possessed the same Spirit, the same
loving. generous. kind nature-so much
8 o that He laid down His life on be-
half Of our sinner-race. 1t Is required
Of the Church that each one shall be
imbued with this same loving DISPOSE
ton as their Savior had; for III any
man have not the Spirit Of Christ, he
is o n Of His" That love not only
left the Heavenly glory and riches on
behalf of the sinner, but additionally
endured the Cross and its shame.
The Apostle John urges all Christ's
followers that, c%ultivating the Masters
noble. generous, loving Spirit, they
ought also to lay down their lives for
the brethren. They ought also to be
ready to count all things but loss and
dross, gladly to be renounced In the in
terest Of the Lords Cause. With every
sacrifice, these receive more than com
p%ensation of Divine favor, besides the
Masters promise Of eternal Life on the
Heavenly plane.-Mark 1870.
And now let US think Of the world
especially Of those noble, generous
souls who, possessing something OF the
original Godlikeness, take pleasure, not
In cheating their fellow men. not in
doing everything injurious to the inter
ests Of others, but frequently in con-
tributing to the relief Of suffering, to
the maintenance and education of
orphans, the protection and comfort
Of widows, as well as to hospitals, in
firmaries, etc. Is there any provision
of blessing for these?
These undetermined, charitable peo-
pie are being blessed by their generous
course; for there is q Law of Retrt-
button continually in operation. The
principle, "It is more blessed to give
than to receive" applies to them as
we'll as to the Church. AS these noble
souls daily become more loving. more