The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1914-11-30


demonstrate that Divine Justice. Wis
dom, Love and Power are all enlisted
on behalf of Adam and his raceto do
US good, to save US from our sins and
from the dead and dying condition in
which we find ourselves, mentally,
morally and physically. Every reason
able mind, he declared, should realize
that God should be just and loving to-
ward all His creatures. The thought
Of an angry, vindictive, torture-loving
God should be rejected by every ra-
tionaI mind as ungodlike, demoniacal.
Doubtless this would have been so
If it were not that misconceptions OF
the Divine character have been i'm
pressed upon our minds from earliest
childhood. These misconceptions, call
ed doctrines of devils,' were often
taught US by those whom we properly
loved and whose piety we reverenced,
but who were themselves deceived.
It is high time, the Pastor declared.
that more reverential. more loving. the
illogical views were seen by mankind.
The lack Of this true theology is driv-
Word into vain philosophers and sci
ence falsely so-called" Crit
cism, Christian Science. Evolution,
Theosophy, etc.
Measurement ts Of Divine Character.
Next was discussed the inability Of
full measures of Gods Love. AS st.
Paul suggests in our text, the privilege
of approaching these lengths, breadths,
depths and heights, is granted only to
the saints of God, and to these only in
proportion to their saintliness. Though
beloved Of the Lord and carefully cher
ished, a babe in Christ cannot compre-
bend these measurements Of Divine
character. When first he believed in
the Lord, he saw something Of Divine
love and mercy, which Influenced him
and drew him to the exercise Of faith
and the announcement of sin. Appre-
ciating the call, he then made full sur
render to the Lord in response to the
invitation, 81 beseech you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies Of God. that
We present your bodies living sacri-
fee, holy, acceptable unto God. which
is your reasonable service"
Having thus done all in his power.
he received the begetting Of the Holy
Spirit. not with outward demonstra-
ton, but with inward grace and the
enlightenment of the eyes of his I'M
Outstanding. From this new stand
point, he began to see more OF the
measurements of Love Divine. If hv-
ing up to his privileges, he is hourly
growing in grace, in knowledge, In ap-
probation of the Divine character.
It was then shown that the reception
of Christ into our hearts by faith
brought Strengthening by His Spirit IN
the inner MANTLE new nature. AS
this Spirit of Christ dwelt in the heart
by faith, it rooted and grounded US In
His character-likeness, which Is the
same as that Of the Father-Love.
This experience enables US to compre-
bend with all saints these measure
ments of our Creators character as
others cannot. Yet, as the Apostle
saws, we who know only in part now
viii by and by, after our resurrection
change from earthly to Heavenly ma
ture. see our Lord as He Is and know
as we are known.
In our text, said the Pastor. which
applies only to the present life, the
Apostle declares that even the saints
cannot know the Love Of Christ, be-
cause it ''passeth knowledge" But St
Paul gives another intimation of how
this keen appreciation Of the glorious
character of God comes to His conse-
Grated saints-by their being filled
with the fitness of God" This means,
not merely the announcement OF sin
and the conservation of ourselves to
our Lord, but filling with His Spirit,
His disposition-a gradual work.
The Spirit of the Lord is one of holt-
ness, not only of separateness from
sin, but of opposition to it; not only
of sympathy with righteousness, but
of activity on its behalf; not only OF
putting away from our hearts every
sympathy with the unfruitful works
Of darkness, but also the receiving OF
that spirit which condemns them by
daily life and word fifty spoken, not
only by an appreciation Of the fruits
and graces Of the Spirit Of God-meek-
hess, gentleness, long-suffering. broth
erly kindness, love-but so great an
appreciation of them as to induce US
more and more to stamp these gracious
characteristics Of Divinity upon our
own thoughts, words and deeds.
Thus 1t is that we become "copfes of
Gods dear Son." and meet for the
inheritance of the saints in light" IN
derstanding the deep things of God.