The Washington times., 1915-03-15

a SHOW or their fasting--snould not
boast Of their seif-sacrifices and self
denisls. Those matters should be be-
tween God and themselves. Instead Of
looking sad; and appearing TO crave
sympathy, they should contra riwise take
special care that none might notice
washing, their faces, amounting their
heads, and generally looking happy. In
deed, the true Christian needs not to
ted the ion happiness pP % for his portion will be
God, which passeth all understanding"
ruling In his heart-Philippians AZ.
Ihe Scriptural proposition seems to be
,na' tia .ne LORDS people will fast-prac-
physical conditions. food etc,-in order
that they may feast along the lines OF
spiritual conditions and refreshments.
The whole tenor of Scripture is to the
effect that followers Of Christ are spirit
ually advantaged by allowing the Holy
Spirit of God to rule In their mortal
bodiesEto the restraining Of their nat
appetites. which are all vitiated by
heredity-by our share in the alienation
from God and In the curse. as children
of Adam.
st. Paul voices this sentiment in the
words. The flesh desires against tho
Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh;
and these are contrary the one TO the
other; SO that ye cannot do the things
that ye would" Thus the Christian is
continually at warfare, not with carnal
weapons. not with his neighbors or his
family. but with himself-his new ma
ture warning good warfare against
his old nature. In this conflict he Is to
come OF an overcomer: and his victory
will not be complete until he is actually
dead according to the flesh and until
as a New Creature, he shall have ex-
perienced the blessings OF the resurrec-
ton to the perfection Of the spiritual
nature.
Feasting While Fasting.
The unregenerate might not unreason-
ably gain the impression that II this
presentation is true, a Christians life
battling with himself. continually
watching, practicing self-denial, and
striving against the natural tendencies
Of sin But such conclusion would be
very erroneous; for the Christian alone
has the true secret of a happy life.
Even the worldly recognize the tact
that whosoever lives after the desires
of his fallen nature will surely end his
career ignobly. Hence we And noble
men and women amongst the unregen-
crate, those not begotten Of the Holy
Spirit. but nevertheless manifesting mod
Grafton Of life. They practice. self-re-
interest. learning by experience and by
observation the necessity for this II life
would be made a blessing to Themselves
or to others. Such strong characters
are highly respected. esteemed. hon
orable.
Although Christians of the true type
also perceive the present advantages
accruing through self-straint. they sp-
preciate still more the life everlasting
thereto. This message. coming to all
who have ears to hear It through the
Bible. assures them of Divine mercy
and interest in their welfare-that Gods
love has provided satisfaction for His
justice on behalf of all. so that the
merit of Christ imputed to each ac-
cording to his need. makes it possible
I for all to respond to the Gospel Call
SO great is the Joy which comes with
the realization of acceptance into Gods
family az joint heirs with His Son, our
Lord Jesus Christ. that nothing else
Paul says that to such "old things have
passed away. and all things have be-
come new" g Corinthians 5:17) In
stead OF earthly hopes for earthly
Heavenly hope for Heavenly riches,
glory and honor. Instead of aspirations
| for political preferment and honor OF
| men. these have before their minds
Gods promises-eNceeding great and
precious. These assure them that their
| faithfulness in present trials and diff
culties. and the proving Of their loyal
ty to God and the principles Of His
righteousness. will through Christ bring
| them eventually to participation with
their Redeemer in His glorious Miilen
| nial Kingdom.
with such prospects life is worth rv-
ing Those attaining this vantage
| ground can. with the Apostle. count all
To these. fastings. self-denials. self-re-
straints. even privations. and persecu-
tions. have no terror They rejoice IN
! these. assured by the Bible that they
are signs that God is dealing with them
as with sons. whom He is educating.
fitting, polishing and testing, prepara-
tory to receiving them to the Heavenly
glory
This class have the peace of God
which passeth all understanding for
| they have the Divine assurance that
since they have come into Gods family
through the appointed Doorway' the he
work together for good to them''--to all
that love God. who are called the &C
cording to His purpose" These realize
that God, having begun, a good work In
feet 1t until the Day OF Christ. Philip-
plans 1:6) These are seeking to make
their calling and their election sure and
so great is their appreciation that the
trials and difficulties by the way-the
Hastings, self-denials and oppositions Of
the Adversary-are but light afflictions.
not worthy to be compared with the
glory that shall be revealed in them.
Even the prayers of this class grad
ually change. No longer do they ask
for food, raiment and earthly things
| Rather they accept Whatever may pe
Gods providence for them with thanks
giving Their prayers are mostly offer
ings Of praise. mentions OF Divine mer-.
cies already received. expressions OF
confidence in God. and requests for
more Of His Spirit. whatever this may
mean In the way of greater trials. diff
culties or prosecutions; for they desire
that the will Of God may be completed
in them and the character-likeness or
Christ be attained.
In conclusion. we recommend true
fasting. true disciplining. true coercion
I,of the will of the flesh. on the part OF
, all as necessary for their mental mora,
and intellectual development. And espe-
, cially do we commend abstincnces. self
> denials, restraints, to those who have
consecrated their lives to God. to walk
In the footsteps OF Jesus But we rep
Z rehend all hypocrisy and sham, whether
, associated with Lent or fasting or ans
! other matter. as being an abominatioc
: in the sight of Goa.