The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1916-10-27

1
as presenting
system Of things
to be relieved, has consideration with
another company the consideration of
Christianity as presenting fine code
of ethics, something to be done, salts
fies; but a larger company is interest
ed In Christianity as presenting that
which stirs the soul, which sets 1t
aQuiver. Our Christian religion is
religion Of enthusiasm, 1t calls for
songs, for musical instruments, for
the shout of victory, for the clapping
Of hands, for the triumphal entry with
Its natural Accomplishments. Chris
tianity is not dead thing, 1t is alive,
and one of the reasons why 1t has not
accomplished what might be expected
is because 1t has been prOpagated by
too many In cold and listless way,
humanity speaking.
The Natural Body Must Die, But
The thrill Of Christianity does noe
come in connection with the consid-
erations that belong to the body Of
man; indeed the opposite effect. would
naturally follow, as there are few
promises to the body. Unless the
preacher of the Gospel is unfair he
does not conceal the fact that Chris,
tianity, properly confessed means pow
erty, obscurity, privation and perils Of
many kinds, even death itself. It's
founder met all these things and the
servant cannot be above his Lord. II
the Son of Man had not where to lay
his head, his disciple cannot ask for
better fare. Notwithstanding this,
the person In his. full personality may
be filled with Joy, may be really hi
larious and ecstatic, and should be
able to make the world stare with
establishment and possibly criticize.
Why is this2 Because the spirit Of
man is that which naturally thrills him
with pleasure, just as the body may
have that which depresses him.
Some Things That Thrill the Spirit.
/. The Christians family connec-
lions are of the finest. He is a mem
Der of the family of God. This is not
theological dogma, 1t is fact clearly
presented In the word of God. Chris
tians are the children of God, born
children partaking of the nature OF
God. They are not the natural hui
man offspring Of God about which
Paul spoke to the Athenians, but spir-
itually born children of God.
2. A Christian has a peculiar rela-
tionship to Jesus Christ, not simply in
a potential, but real sense. Jesus
Christ is his Savior, Redeemer and
coming glorious King, but he is some
thing quite aside from this. He has
personal relationship to the Chris
tan that cannot be gainsaid. He is
shepherd with a true shepherds
thought of provision for need. the
guarding from danger. he Is broth
err closer than any earthly brother; he
Is friend In the most loyal sense.
Taking that relationship to Jesus
Christ 1t can be truly said that he is
'aIl the world" to the Christian. and
that is by realization here and now,
an Emmaus experience continued In
the individual life.
8. The Christian not only fears moth
Ing of the future. but he anticipates
the future with the greatest JOY. While
recognizing the body as the temple Of
the Holy Ghost. he sees another body
beyond this mortal body. He sees
this body to be the subject Of physi-
cal corruption. but he knows that after
the worms destroy this skin. In his
flesh shall he see God. He knows that
interruption. honor. power, glory and
spirituality await him; indeed he longs
for q day that be win be delivered
from this body OF clay. However the
body may be defective here-ame. de-
formed, weak with disease or age. he
knows thst he is to have body that
win be beautiful possessing power
and eternal youth. With such an an
ticlpation he cannot but clasp his
hands and shout with triumph.
4. The Christian Is thrilled with
the glorious conditions of this earth
that are coming. They win not be the
realization Of tie UtopIan pictures Of
the poet and the visionary, but OF
Isaiah II and s.. When ravenous
beasts destroying storms floods and
fires. win not be known: when pestl-
lence win not waste the land. and
wars win cease. He knows bis King
Is coming to put his enemies under
hts feet and reign In righteousness.
The Christian cannot be pesslnist
as far as this weird. sln-cursed though
Il be. i concerned tie knows that
there VII be q new heaven and