Evening journal., 1916-02-07

The word Infant" literally means
"the non-speaking one" II is strange
that there are members OF our
churches that never give an express
sion TO their faith in Christ, they
never speak to others about salvation
they win no souls for Christ. Anoth- /
er characteristic OF a spiritual infant !
is that it is weak and timid There is /
something especially pleasing and
beautiful in the young baby lying
helpless in its mothers arms. But IL {
would be unspeakably pathetic tol
have that weakness and helplessness
continue throughout life. And yet,
we have a multitude OF professed
Christians who are in that spiritual
condition. They have never put forth
any real, earnest, aggressive. effective
efforts In Christ's service. They are
content to remain year after year In
the same condition.
Moreover an indication of an infant
lis that il Is self-centered Some
psychologists have lately declared
/ that up to the age OF two years every
child is naturally wholly selfish. The
Infant expects special attention. 10
I is the same way with a great many
grown-up infants in our churches.
They think the only mission OF a pas
tor is TO pet and cOddle them. The
church ought to be a hive, not hos
Ipital or nursery To the unsaved God
says. "Come." but to the saved He
says go" The pastor ought not to
have TO spend his time nursing the
saints. but rather seeking the lost.
Another characteristic OF baby is
that its feelings are very easily hurt.
THE person that is supersensitive is
also apt to be superselfsh. At the
least scowl it puts up It's little lip. So
Il is with many mature bagies i'm our
churches. They are constantly look
I ing for sights and a person usually
/. gets what he is looking for. They
take offense at every criticism, believ-
ing it to be aimed especially at them.
II is the infants in the church that
/, usually cause the church quarrels-
they want their own way. II some
one else is put in a prominent posi-
tion, some other plan rather than
their own Is decided upon. then their
feelings are instantly hurt. They are
like little children at play they cry
!, out "If you do not play my way
am going to take my things and 60
Z home!"
I Moreover. baby has to be amused
II wants its playthings. its toys Take
p away its tin rattle and 1t howls. Sc
it is with the spiritual infants in oul
a churches. One lady cries out, "Not
y want to take away my deck OF cards
/. so / cannot have any good time!'
y Babyl Baby! III / don't go 20 the
- dance. where can / get any enjoy
!, lment in life?" The trouble is yol
y lhaye been seeking for the things out
i. side OF your life for your pleasure
4 Real enjoyment must have its sourc
= from within. not from without. DO no
a be satisfied merely with having mad
~ the beginning Of the spiritual life.
|, The third class Is The only one wcr
o thy OF your consideration and able I
" give permanent enjoyment, and tha
e is the abundant life There are man
m who have just enough religion
40 make them miserable. We need th
~ abundant life first OF all. by which
A gain a victory over sin. II is an a.
no cepted scientific theory that the pu
pose OF the white corpuscles IN Il
IN blood is TO destroy disease germ
no When these corpuscles become fe
be or weak. on account Of lack Of pro
A Ter nourishment exercise OF slice
ar then the disease germs conquer q
no white corpuscles and the body su
.g- cumbs to the ravages Of the diseas
no On the other hand, II the white co
of puscles are many and strong, throul
no vigorous bodily health. then the M
N crobes make no inroads The be
Ife antiseptic for disease is health Tl
ir- only true method for overcomir
'ot temptation is for your life to be file
ee with the love Of God
, - The abundant life is essential Il
al spiritual Joy. There is always plea
no lure i'm the exercise Of an over-fed an
90 lunder-worked muscle. and there is a
ck WAYS pain in the exercising OF an nj
,s derfed and over-worked muscle.
is Won will surrender your life to Go
nd Welding the points where you ha
ire been at issue with Him. then He W
MI you with divine strength. Rig
~ here is the difference between sa
An boat and a steamship. When sa
Mo boat is out on the sea It depends e
,at tirely upon the wind for its mott
&c power. Not so with the steamer.
,st matter whether there be a strol
ate wind or a calm. that steamship forg
an right ahead to its destination. VIII
al YOU are in vital relationship wi
NJ. Jesus Christ, you will not be depen
~ ent upon your surroundings for eth
rov your power or your Joy. You W
80 be able to say with Paul. Christ Ii
or eth in me-"
There are many people who a
ss merely big meeting" Christian
he, They are dependent upon their S
or roundings for their spiritual succe
on. Not so with the soul that is possess
aa of the abundant life. which Jes
do Christ gives. He will be like a dix