The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1921-06-24

IA lie life In the po-
litlcai 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
jOysl The Apostle Paul's heart was
thrilling with It when he addressed the
Philippians as his Joy and crown"
Those whom he had helped on the road
ITO God were his JOY and wiz be bis
| crown.
Paul also speaks OF these converts as
his brethren" II win be recalled that
when the church at Phillppl was found
ed (Acts 49,. there were gathered to-
gether In its Fellowship such varied
company as Lydia. the well-to-do Ash
attic; the Greek slave girl. out Of whom
Q demon was cast; and the rude
Roman jailer. Yet these were made
one In Christ. and to these, 1t 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 pne In Christ Jesus"
Verify, the world knows of no brother
hood like unto thisl
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
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
feets 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 Faweett wrote:
BEST be the tie that bindsf
Our hearts N Christian love:
The fellowship OF kindred minds
- Ia Ike to that above. :
- 4rtH ~ =
We share our mutual woes.
Our mutual burdens bear:
And often for each other flows
The sympathetic tear
:. 10 these brethren dearly beloved
and longed. fors Paul writes concern.
ing their standing fast. Helknew too
well chat Satan would seek to over.
throw their faith and crush out theil
spiritual life. This enemy Of souls Il
stiil actively engaged In this business
and Panl's words Of counsel hre as full
Of vital Interest today as when they
were spoken.
What stimulus ~ found d the fact
that we are all. BY faith. 4in the Lord"
Being thus. we may hope TO stand
fast" However, Il Will be necessary
to live In the experience Of this fact
II we are to have actual victory over
Satan. 1z E3
Charles Simeon Of Cambridge, the
great preacher and teacher. lived q
wondrously beautiful and useful Chris
tan life. 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 'in the Lord" and thus he was
able to "stand fast"
II Is somewhat difficult to flnd the
connection Of the word so" In the
phrase. so stand fast In the Lord"
II 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 Z
race. to press toward the mark for the
prize Of their high calling. Hence. Il
appears, there Is q difference between
standing fast and standing stiIl. Just
~ the rider on bicycle IL assured OF
steadfastness only by making prog
ress, 50 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 q "thereforeS
He has wherefore" In this In
stance II Is found In the verses imme-
dlately preceding (s:20. 21): ~For
our conversation Is In heaven: from
whence also we look for the SAVER.
the Lord Jesus Christ: who shan
change our vile body. that II may Be
fashioned Ike unto His glorious body.
according TO the working whereby He
l. able even to subdue all things unto
Himself. Therefore. my brethren dear.
II beloved aid longed for. my Joy ana
crown. 50 stand fast In the Lord. M
s3aawlw Noloxadm