Evening journal., 1916-02-11
Second Corinthians 5;ii-"For the
love of Christ constraineth usr

Second Corinthians >; li-"For the
lo,e of Christ constraineth usr
We have been considering some OF
the results that would follow the
proper emphasis and practical appn-
cation of the Lordship Of Jesus we
might now be led TO ask how is this
ideal to be made real? What iniiu-
enccs can set in operation to make
this principle dominent in human az
fairs? Is it to be sufficient To con-
vince the reason and consciences OF
men OF its supreme Importance This
Is valuable as far as it goes. But
IS this potent enough 20 overcome the
natural inertia of humanity that re-
sists an change? We must go even
deeper vet if we are TO expect the au-
fhoritv OF the will OF Christ to get the
Arm hold il should upon the lives oi
men.
There is still greater incentive TO
which we can appeal. II reaches the
heart the center OF the being. II Is
The master motive that has intrinsic
mower when once enkindled. TO bring
all other motives in subjection 10
itself Il is the awakening OF ,no
Christian incentive the personal aheO,
ton and attachment Of the personal
soul for the personal Christ.
Tho true study OF character IS the
studv OF motives Human conduct Is
MS much under the operation OF causo
and effect as is the growth OF plants
or the action OF electricity or gray
~ n the water supply of a city were
found to be impure, no one wouu
think of trying TO cleanse 1t az lhe iu-
dividual faucets. They would seek
fho cause OF pollution and apply lne
remody at the central fountain %
any method 10 improve or transform
human conduct must find It's oiis'h'
not i'm correcting the acts nut III
changing the motives that prompt men
20 do what they do and be What li'VS
arc q,
IN watch should be irregular III
kccpine time. no one would think lna'
n new dial. or a moro valuable ch"ll',
or more finely engraved case, coulu
remedy the defect. II is a short
sighted policy in our system OF lesls-
Iation that Furnishes the results OF
crime rather than the motives tha'
cause The crime.
we are led to ask. what arc the
ruling incentives in human actionF
MANY OF them are. by their nature
degrading and destructive, such as
tbe motives OF anger. hatred, or re-
vence. In the character OF Chllllllss-
worth. i'm the "Scarlet Letter, haN
thorre has described life that Ia,
bored necessarily for years. actuateu
bv the motive OF revenge. Inc splrl'
of rivalry. which was used by the
Jcsu!r schools in the Middle Ages
was effective in promoting study; Ou
II resulted also in inculcating q splrl
of discrimination and intrigue. II mad'
the followers Of Loyola among th'
rhrowdest scholars OF their days; ye
with their motto, "The end justine
the means" Il nourished the oaser III
etincts Of character
our present business system Z
competition Is based largely upon tll
incentive OF rivalry. And while II
oncctNe in stimulating effort yet Il
tendency is to bring out the lowe
rather than the higher elements q
life. Add TO this the motive for gar
and YOU have a combination when !
tle energies of the bushes
world to their utmost
Then there IS also the incentive o
fear. which is varied in its effects. II
the childhood Of the individual or th'
race il is especially potent and valu
able All law has this for its basis
Law is forceless without penalty ant
penalty appeals only TO fear. Th'
premamre elimination of this incen
tive from religion is doubtless one o
the causes for the present spirit o
Indifference.
But there is a greater motive tina
ali of these tie motive OF love. Pei
feet love castcth out fear and ever
other controlling influence. The mos
potent forces for the molding OF th
ife arise. not from the intellect b'
from the emotions u is not wh'
n man knows. but what he likes. th'
largely shapes his conduct and h
character keep thy heart with q
diligence. for out Of it arc the ISSUE
OF life"
II the affections are center'
mon an unworthy object. it meal
that the whole life is threatened vii
disaster. II set upon the physic'
they arc apt to produce a glutton
debauchee; il upon fashion al
dress. the result is vanity; 1t upe
wealth. they produce coyctousncss'
upon rank and power the result
tyranny or arrogance. As the love
high or low. the life will be cnnoblc
or degraded.
The highest love must always cei
Ter i'm personality. Every gre'
movement i'm the world. social. ecoI
nmic. political. or religious, has unali
found its highest expression In PEI
son. Therefore the religion OF IN
Hebrews could hardly become a Wori
reHcion. II was essential that tn
Word become flesh and dwell anon
us. u as for this reason that Pau
reveals The secret Of vital Christian
uy. the master motive. which actua
ted the early Christians. Christ wa
10 them all in an. Not simply thei
Adviser aud Governor. but in Hin
they lived and moved and had thei
being. This is the supremacy, {
Lordship.
frro ,,,,rx o,-o,, profoueod Chrief ia N