Evening journal., 1916-02-11

But that is not what ] started out
to say. The three classes in every
church are the guests the servants
and the children. The guests are the
class that never feel quite at home,
you have TO go to extra pains to
please them. You never feel quite at
case in their company. You are con-
stantly saying. The people are not
as friendly here as they were in the
place where ] used to live" "The pas
tor does not pay as much attention to
me as he does some other members in
the church" There is always an air
Of coldness and reserve about that
class. They seem stiff and formal.
They lack spontaneity and freedom.
Then there are others in the house
hold of faith that are like servants.
The servant does not have the run Of
the house, he is usually confined in
his own quarters, one or two rooms.
When he enters the rest of the apart
ments it is only temporarily, not for
enjoyment, but only for service This
class work for the Lord. but work
only from a sense of duty.
Then there arc others i'm Gods
household that are free to 90 where
they please. They can go into the
parlor, the library. they can even go
in the pantry, If they desire. These
are the children. II any Of you have
the idea that the Christian life is a
huf
never made a greater mistake in the
wes4d. The only thing that God wants
to eliminate from your character and
experience is the thing that yill bind
you and enslave. thing that will
drag you down lie wants you to have
everything that will make your life
brighter and happier and sweeter and
better.
A third blessing that belongs TO the
children Of God is inheritance. III
children. then heirs" ! never could
understand why it is so many pro-
fessed disciples OF Christ are gloomy
and morose. They do not seem to
enjoy religion. Often they will arise
in testimony service and say, II
have been serving God for so many
years, in my weak way. and ! hope
you will pray for me that ! may have
strength TO hold out to the end They
seem TO think all that is required is
Just to have enough spiritual vitality
10 push the ball over tho goal for a
touchdown, and then expire That is
not the spirit OF Christianity. The
life OF n Christian ought to be a grow
ing life, developing In wisdom in
grace, in power. What would you
think II you would meet me on the
street some day and | would be go
ing along with my head down and a
detected look upon my face. You
would say What is the matter. Mr.
, Lyon, are you not feeling well?' Sup
posing would reply. Il have just
fallen heir 10 a hundred million dol
j lars, and I want you 10 pray for mt
|. that I may have enough to keep ms
!, out OF the poorhouse." You woulI
4 think l was out OF my mind. and ye
= that is the way that many act con
!, cerning the Christian life.
AZ the reading Of a will. the ser
, wants do not stay TO listen-thore 4
, nothing for them: but II man be
o son, he opens his ear TO catch the
sound. 10 know II there be an es
tate for him: and however in the
lawyer may read that Will. how anx
, ious he is TO catch every word ahd
know il there is a portion for hin
among the childrenl
One day a poor English girl was
riding along in third-class carriage
very plainly dressed loolfino out al
the window. They passed by beauti.
ful farms, beautiful trees, beautiful
mansions. and every little while a
person who sat near this poor gir
heard her say "rhat belongs to my
father They would come TO a farm
!. and she would say. THAT belongs Il
:. my father then TO a beautiful man
= sion, That belongs TO my father too.
Then they would pass lordly castl,
: and she would say. THAT belongs {,
\ my father" Finally the man who
: was listening turned to her and said
. Well. miss, you must have d ricl
e father, for you have been saying 70
r miles as we passed along THAT be
). longs TO my father" Your fathe
q must be very rich man. She said
! He isl am a child Of God" Sh
,s was very rich.
) My Father is rich in Houses an
70 Lands.
\ He holds the wealth OF the world 1
> His hands.
o or rubies and diamonds, OF silver an
!, and gold.