Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-03-05

3pTtncipics without which there can
~ no true brotherhood. In the carly
lays OF tho Christian Church, because
clic members were mostly poor and
wcre often prosecuted. they lived in
kind OF fellowship, sharing their
Earthly goods and helping ono another
IN MI times of necessity. The church
~as like n big family, for the members
were brothers and sisters and the min
'stcrs wcro older brothers. They had
10 church buildings, but met around
from house TO house. and a little later
hey held their services IN the cata-
combs. because they werc prosecuted
ma had TO sccretc themselves when
hey worshipcd IN some cases there
Sere men who had money and lands
and these were gladly shared with tho
other Christians. Thus, Barnabas sold
MS land and brought tho money TO the
apostles. who seem to have been the
ireasurers OF tho common fund
But. alas. there entered the spirit Of
>vil. just as Satan entered the meeting
RI Gods people. az NO are told in the
Book OF JOB. and JUS, as he entered
nto the Garden OF Eden. man who
was only hnlf-convcrtcd---for even II
ais heart was moved, j., did not cx-
end 10 his posacssions-kept back
part OF tho price ana then told :, lie
t.sout It, and hts wife did likewise
80 BROTTIEItLY FEELING
WHERE THERE Is INSINCERITY
1t seems very sad that thus tarly
u the Christian Church there should
nave been those who were false II
Was not necessary ,hat these people
'houlh have sold their land ana given
he money. There was 40 law about t.
{ WAS simply IN" loving desire .. the
carly Christians To help QUO another:
md II would have been far better 10
hnvc told the truth and said that they
ivere not willing to give all tho money
than IN have tried 10 gain tho merit
OF sclr-dcnial while retaining for
themselves a goodiy portion Their.
can he no hrothcrly feeling whore there
TX insinccrity. The pure IN hear, alone
IAN SEQ God, and tho pure IN heart alone
an honestly love his brother.
We have hero some telling Lessons
baaring upon temperance a. we'll az
upon many other moral issues In the
FIRST place, notice that wherever there
is real fellowship there must he a will
lnrnnsS 10 dcny oneself for the sake
OF those associated with rs Wherever
N nature things arc bound together
with other Things tEcr. is "a certain
affinity between Thorn. ns with particles
| ~ wood which adhere to one another.
. The qualities which make certain
hcm,cal elements unite ~. Indicative
| e the way ~ which humans If they
r,r" TO hc ono, must join on" with an
,l:rcr. setting aside their peculiar III
tcrcsts and desires
can ~ No LOVE
WITIiOIT SACRIFICE
T. has hccr said that there can be no
owe wi,hou, sacrifice. II IL true. ST.
P..ul's teaching concerning temperance
Is that VIC must not do anything where
hy our brother sturnblcth or is offended
or is made weak. We in this day and
| generation, when tho drink OWL mas
| become so great. expand 81 Paul's
. principles and declare that no man has
any right TO do that which Injuries his
brother. lie must sacrifice what would
seem 20 he his rights FOR tho sake of
| tie common welfare
| Ananias md his wifo wcr" not will
ling TO give M completely. They
wanted TO have their prof, and nj the
same time gain tho favor Of their
brethren. II was double faul, First.
,hcv had not learned the lesson Of nlu-
iual sacrifice for mutual interest. and.
second. they tried 10 unite good and
OWL. which can never he done. Hence
thcir downfall.
The community spirit hv which tho
apostles were governed was given up
in practical working as the church
grew larger, but IL SIN holds IN prin-
ciple. 1t is not poss ible or advisable
for us All TO have n common purs" and
eat from n common table. bur we should
all have that love which calls for
generous and uustintcd- sharing with
those who need. This sharing must
not lead to unwisa giving, where moro
harm than good would result: but il
must bring lis 10 that generous and
quick recognition OF a brothers neces-
sits' which shall make VS. help, not as
an act IF charity. but as an act OF
brotherhood
GAVE, SEEKING PRAISE
p FROM THEIR BRETTREN
Anhnias and his wife erred IN that
hey gave. hut not with any love in
their hearts. because they were looking
out for themselves as eagerly as they
were seeking the praise OF their
brethren. We cannot worthily help
each other IL we arc all the while
thinking TO gain credit for our actions.
nor can wc In Gods sight ever do a
or mixed. When I put my money in
the collection plate or send Il 10 the
treasurer OF my missionary board I
must do 1t so heartily and lovingly
that all thought Of self Will he driven
away.
MI good things in our human life
will come Just in proportion to our
righteous and unsel1sh living. Did it
ever occur to you, my friend. that If
&c all lived up to n reasonably high
zeal. tried not TO hurt ono another
Or to take advantage OF one another.
now glorious this life on earth would
be. In spite OF sickness and disaster?
lie finds tho Joy OF living. and he only,
whose whole effort Is TO forget himself
While he serves others. His sorrows
arc caused by the sin or tho world.
and such were the sorrows of the Mas
l~ter: hut he feels that tho great prjn-