Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1915-05-15

zzzzzzzzzzzszze.J remarkable to see
to what degree
this inquiring as to "how" obsessed
various classes. At least five times
was the question asked in one form or
another.
The Troublesome "How"
That little word "how" has been a
great troubler. 1t is often asked with
reference to the actions of God. The
Christian church, backed by the Word
of God, teaches that God is all-power-
full and ALLOWING. Now comes some
one and asks, How can you reconcile
that teaching with the fact of so much
suffering on this earth, and that on
the part of people who suffer for no
fault of their OWN" How can you
reconcile that with the doctrine of
eternal punishment of the wicked?"
How can you reconcile that with the
cruel death in the Cross of Calvary ?"
How can the blood of Jesus Christ
have any connection with the forgive
ness of mans, sins?" How can sim
pie trust in Jesus Christ result in sal
vation?" Are such questions justi-
fed?
Be Sure of the Fact.
In the Scripture case the man had
0cSn UOTn DllnQ anu every OOOy KNEW
it. He met Jesus one day and in
very brief period of time was made to
see, a fact to which there was no con-
tradiction. Now this is most impor-
tant matter in the application of the
text to moral or spiritual transforma-
TONS The genuineness of these are
usually supported by some radical
change in a person, and also by the
permanence of the change. The per-
manent change being established, no
one questions the fact. If it is an in
dividual that is interested in this mat
ter, he may simply ask himself the
question, Are things different from
what they were?" He can usually an
swer that question with the greatest
positiveness.- He knows what he now
loves, and what his life Is as compared
with what it was. and he has hopes
for the future that give him a satisfac
ton that he never knew before. In
short we can say, He knows that he
is saved. it is fact" Job knew that
his Redeemer lived. Paul was fully
persuaded that the good work had be
gun in him. John knew that he and
other Christians had passed from
death unto life.
AS to the outward steps that may
nave " D0 ldhSu, In0y may De knO"n
as in the case of the man born blind
In most cases of genuine conversion
the outward steps can be seen, but 81
much has been made of these tina
souls have been made to believe tina
unless they could see the steps il
their own conversion they had M
claim to be called children of God TIL,
books that have recently appeared
such as ''Twice-Born Men," by Harol,
Begbie, relating moral and spiritua
transformations, have left the impress
sion on many that they must pas
through similar experiences. In shOr
they must know how"
In genuine spiritual transformatiol
the work is that of the Holy Spirit
who works when and where and no,
he pleases. 1t must be kept in min
that the Holy Spirit is God. and Go
has always reserved to himself tn
right to keep his purposes secret, an
as well his methods of operation, an
it is more than foolish to try to ente
where angels fear to tread.
Why Not Ask .How7-
Summing up these thoughts, we ma
observe that the asking of the que
ton how" is frequently a mere qui
bic, the avoiding of the main propos
tion- 1t is oftentimes not sincere, tt
purpose being other than getting a
answer for proper ends. In the cas-
before us the question was asked I
involve Jesus in some technical breae
OF the Jewish Sabbath day.
There is great impertinence in as
ing the question, for 1t may belong
the secret things of God The ply.
clan does not ordinarily feel under ar
obligation to tell the patient how Il
medicine works.
Sometimes the answer of the que
ton would be the disturbing of Il
comfort of the inquirer. and it is me
ctful in God to keep the process a s
cret-
The asking of the question al
awaiting an answer are not only
waste of time. but may be the TAXI
of some of Gods time for servic
for every moment OF the after life
longs to him