The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-06-23

| n Z lie life in the po-
| ltical arena, but
rather In those episodes in which he
had been able 10 strengthen the re-
ligious faith and deepen the religious
life of his fellows.
How comforting that the humblest
can share with him this greatest of all
| joys The Apostle Pauls heart was
thrilling with It when he addressed the
Philippians as his "joy and crown"
Those whom he had helped on the road
to God were his joy and will be his
crown.
Paul also speaks Of these converts as
his brethren" 1t will be recalled that
when the church ut Philippi was found
ed (Acts 16), there were gathered to-
gether in its fellowship such a varied
company as Lydia, the well-to-dO Ash
attic; the Greek slave girl, out of whom
demon was cast; and the rude
| Roman jailer. Yet these were made
one in Christ, and to these it might
have been said: "There is neither Jew
nor Greek, there is neither bond nor
free, there Is neither male nor female;
for We are all one in Christ Jesus"
Verify, the world knows Of no brother
hood like unto this
| To Paul these brethren were dearly
beloved and longed for" True broth
erly love seems lacking at times
among Christians. Yet many bear
witness that times of testing manifest
the fact that this affection is real and
is deeper than the ties of social rela-
tionship, or even Of blood.
Years ago there lived in England q
poor rector Of country parish. His
income was so meager that 1t seemed
necessary for him TO take another
church, and he was packing up his eff
fects preparatory to moving. But his
poor parishioners gathered about him
and entreated him to stay with them.
He could not resist their pleadings and
told them he would remain, even
though penury stared him in the face.
| That night John Fawcett wrote:
Blest be the tie that binds
| Our hearts in Christian love:
The fellowship of kindred minds
| Is like TO that above.
! We share our mutual woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
| And often for each other flows
| The sympathetic tear.
To these brethren dearly beloved
and longed for" Paul writes concern
ing their standing fast. He knew too
well that Satan would seek to over
l hat foi n,rf hni
| spiritual life. This enemy of souls Is
still actively engaged In this business,
and Paurs words of counsel are as full
Of vital interest today as when they
were spoken.
What a stimulus is found in the fact
that we are all, by faith, lin the Lord"
Being thus, we may hope to stand
fast" However, it will be necessary
to live in the experience of this fact
If we are to have actual victory over
Satan.
Charles Simeon of Cambridge, the
great preacher and teacher, lived a
wondrously beautiful and useful Chris
tian ffe. Much of the secret was
found In the fact that he would arise
early Of mornings and pace to and fro
on the roof of his chamber holding
communion with God. Thus he lived
In the realization Of the fact that he
was ain the Lord" and thus he was
able to "stand fast"
1t Is somewhat difficult to find the
connection of the word so" in the
phrase, so stand fast in the Lord"
1t seems to go back to the preceding
chapter, where Paul has been exhort-
ing these Christians to forget the
things behind, and, like runners In q
race. to press toward the mark for the
prize Of their high calling. Hence, II
appears, there is difference between
as the rider on bicycle is assured of
steadfastness only by making prog
ress, so the Christian who would
"stand fast" must "press toward the
mark"
But we must not overlook the word
therefore" with which the text be-
gins Wherever God has therefore"
He has wherefore" In this in
stance 1t is found the verses imme-
dately preceding g 30. 21): "For
our conversation Is In heaven from
whence also we look for the Savior,
the Lord Jesus Christ; who shall
change our vile body, that it may be
fashioned like unto His glorious body,
according to the working whereby He
Is able even TO subdue all things unto
Himself. Therefore my brethren dear
ly beloved and longed for, my JOY and
crown. so stand fast in the Lord my