Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-03-20
EVERYDAY couRrEsIEs.
Christian Endeavor Topic Interpreted by
III. r.. Link.

II. r.. LINK.
Back in the first century, about The
year 65, Peter, whose original name was
Simeon or Simon, an apostle OF Jesus our
Saviour, had gone into the Parthian En-
pire, and there wrote letter, addressed
to the Jewish Christians Of the Dis
persion and tho numerous Gentle con-
verts in the churches of Asia Minor" IL
appears TO have been written from Babylon
which by some is understood TO mean
Rome. This Epistle is well described by
Leighton, az brief and yet very clear
summary, both of the consolatiens and
instructions needful for the encourage
ment and direction Of Christian in his
journey to Heaven; clevating his thought
and desires 10 that happiness, and strength
ening him against all opposition in the
way, both that of corruption, within
and temptation and Affections from with
out. The heads Of doctrine contained in il
are many. but the main that are most in
sisted on are these three, faith, obedience
and patience; To establish in believing, TO
direct in doing and to comfort In suffering;
often setting before those to whom he
wrote the matohless example OF the Lord
Jesus, and the greatness Of their engage
rnents to follow Him"
IL is general exhortation to love and
holiness While the epistle has thus a
practical design, il is az evangelical as if
it had been chiefly doctrinal. II points
everywhere to Christ; 10 His atonement
foretold by prophets, contemplated by
angels appointed before the foundation
of the worlds, to His resurrection, ascen-
sion, and gift of the Spirit; HE example as
a suffering Saviour, and the awful solemn
ties of the last judgment. Like Paul, he
urges the doctrines of the Gospel as the
great motives TO holiness and patience; /;
like him he descends to the enforcement Of
every relative duty, while giving the
most exalted view of our privileges as
believers in Christ. This brief outline Of
the First Epistle of Peter now brings us TO
our topic, Everyday Courtesies," and
the five verses contained in the third
chapter give us ample food with added
desert for our consideration. Peter after
giving general summary of relative duty
and after having detailed particular duties
he exhorts us in the Sth verse to he OF one
nind-as to the faith Danish petty diff
ferences. and agree-as to the faith. Having
compassion, "syrnpathiBing' in the Joys
and sorrows of others loving the brethren;
pitiful toward the afflicted. Courteous;
genuine Christian politeness; not the
tinsel of the worlds politeness; but
stamped with unfeigned courtesy on one
side; and humility on the other. Real Chris
tian courtesy marks a conscious effort
TO be truly humble. Not rendering evil
for evil-n deed; nor railing for railing
in word, but blessing your reyliers,
rendering good for evil; because we are
called 10 inherit blessing, not only pas
sive, but active; receiving spiritual bles-
sing from God by faith, and in turn bles-
sing Others from love. IL is not in order 70
inherit n blessing that we must bless, but
because our portion is blessing No railing
can inJure US. We are to initiate God who
blesses US The first fruits of His blessing
for eternity are enjoyed by the righteous
even now.
He who loves life (prescnt and eternaD,
and desires so 10 do, must refrain-curb,
cause to cease; implying that our natural
iSclination and custom is TO speak evil
Men commonly think they would be ex-
posed To the wantonness Of their enemies
II they did not strenuously vindicate their
rights. But the Spirit promises life Of
blessedness to none but those who are
gentle and patient. First, he warns against
sins of the tongue, evil-speaking; next,
against acts of injury against ones neigh
Dor Let US turn from evil, and do good
Let US be peaoeable, courteous, polite,
and kind, ever setting forth the spirit of
the Christ which Is the ground of promised,
present and eternal life of blessedness.
The eyes of the Lord are ever over those
who do His bidding. and II lis ears are open
to their prayers. The eyes imply favorable
regard but the face Of the Lord against
them that do evil, implies that He OBJ
serves them, and watches them, so as not
to let them really and lastingly hurt His
people. | think that we might add one
more verse to our text and quote the
thirteenth verse, which reads: And who
is he that will harm you, If We be followers
of that which IS good?" So let us ne yer be
afraid or ashamed to exhibit at al times
and under all circumstances the Christian
Spirit Of Courtesy thereby exhibiting in
our everyday walks of life that Spirit Of
blessedness that good cannot beevil spoke
en- of; Everyday Christian Courtesy. ;"
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