The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-04-12

| HolOI anu glory, LOT De tnaC numD I6th
himself shall be exalted. but he that
humbleth himself not shall be abased.
The sure precursor of a fall is a
naughty spirit, and destruction is pre-
coded by pride.
Pollution and purity are likewise put
in contrast. Though defled with sin
and polluted with iriqmty yet may we
arise and shile in the beauty Of the
King, our light going forth in the
midst of dark world, so that we do in
truth fulfill our mission of light bearers,
and are as Christ said, the lights of the
world. There may be deformity now
but it may he, it will be beauty here
after, even the beauty of the glorifed
person Of Jesus.
The poor Gepraved, besotted man,
who realizes his sin and heartily repents
OF 1t, obtains pardon, is regenerated by
the power of the spirit and rises into
a new life-a life hid with Christ in
God. The Prodigal casts aside his rags
and is clad in the new robe, while COM
partnership with swine, when his seat is
their trough, is exchanged for a place
in his Fathers house, and fellowship
with saints. He becomes a member of
the family of God. From the lowest
depths one may rise to the vaulted sky,
and from the slums, enc may rise to
shine as the stars and be as pure as
lily through the blood of Jesus. Yes,
says one, that's all true, and | mean to
some time, but not just yet. Stolen
waters are sweet ard | must sip little
more. Pleasures of sin are delicious
but they have bitter taste, to remove
which, a new draft is taken, but they
only entangle themselves more and
more. They resolve to do better to-
morrow, but they dream not that this
procrastination is like the plants which
Irvine and hug and with their parasitic
breath kill the sapling that supports
and nourishes them. So they go on in
dulglng learning bitter wisdom, only
too late Affections bonds cannot
always hold you Christian, for out of
all your fluctuations the Lord will de-
liver you. Though apparently deserted
and left to mourn in darkness for
time, it is only to show the weakness
of human strength and lead US out of
ourselves, to Him who said, Ny grace
is sufficient, and when we turn from
creature things to the Heavenly Com
fortar we receive the consolation we
desire, and our sorrow is turned into
joy. 1t is not the Joy of the world but
pure, sweet, tender joy that comes
from the conscious nearness to Christ
and the indweling of His spirit. Though
we shrink from meeting death, yet
through its narrow portals we rise upon
the wings of a triumphant faith shining
like doves in the sunlight and soar to
the realms beyond, where faith merges
into sight and hope blossoms into full
fruition.
1t is possible for the Christian to be
as clean as dove in the various walks
of life, and he ought to be SO at any
cost. know there is tendency in the
opposite direction, constant influence
brought t drag him down among the
pots, but lie that is for him Is greater
than his enemies and will keep him from
falling If he will but trust Him.
1t seems to be the current opinion
that if a man is going to succeed in
the ord he must stoop to all the tricks
of trade and resort to the dishonest
practices so prevalent in business
circles, and with the motto, No. l, first,
last and always, they do not shrink
from dishonest things for the sake of
gain. Many a one who has the reputa-
ton of being high minded and con-
scientious cannot resist the temptation
of defrauding customer, though they
may appropriate the good opinion as
their due. The love of gain is so strong
that they are ready to accede to any
thing that will add dollar, but that
which is gained at the price of virtuous
| self respect is too costly. 1t may press
so heavily on the conscience as to
dampen the spirits and cheat him out
of the delights of life.
He may attempt self justification by
trying to persuade himself that it is
allowable in business, that all do it or
that the results were worth it, or the
/ consumer will never know, yet the
buoyant feeling is gone, a sense of dis
comfort presses on the brain and there
( is want of self satisfaction and a
! troubled conscience. Many a time IS
he reminded of it, by some trivial thing
/ and he may feel that ne would give any
/ thing to remove the weight of that
! which is destroying his peace of mind.
Though ike Banco's ghost it will not
I down at their bidding, yet is conscience
stifsd. They try to get rid of it on the
pretense Of charity, or by way of the
collection plate, but charity and the
( Lord wants honest money. Though