The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1921-11-11

M y ~ w. hlOFt Oh TIE Vhtuo
OF Christian lfSlng which comes Into
view In this Scripture-"Count It all
Joy when ye fall into manifold tempta-
tions"
The word temptation means trial
or testing. 1t is test of character.
not an Indictment to wrongdoIng.
Sometimes these testings are unlocked
for, so that we are said TO fall" Into
them. They are manifold" This
refers to their variety rather than
their number. They are many sided.
many colored; some severe, others
mild, some prolonged, others brief.
They give occasion for every sort OF
joy. This is the literal meaning OF
the words Fall joy" We are TO count
1t every sort of Joy when we fall into
these manifold temptations"
But how can we do this? Only by
knowing that the test patiently en-
dured will lead to a great triumph, the
triumph of faith and of strong en-
during character which Is the result
Of faith.
Faith Is the most precious and pow.
erful thing in the world. Its educa.
ton is Of untold importance. A re-
turned missionary from Tibet recently
said in a public address, God is look.
ing everywhere for men and women
,yha mill tr,,ct IIi,,n Tpt1Ot 10 Hawai-
oped through trial. Under divine d..
rection, Moses led the IsraelItes to
the Red sea that they might learn IN
experience the power of God to save.
and that their trust In Him might be-
strengthened. Jesus took His disciples
into q storm that through the test
they might learn to trust, because Of
the experimental knowledge Of HE
power to deliver.
Every trial Is a trial Of faith. We
never fail till we fail inside. Every
outward yielding Is the expression
and result Of q surrender within. The
trial of faith is declared to be much
more precious than gold that perish
eth. Gold Is the standard of value In
the world of men and affairs. but 10
the higher realm of spirit aud char.
acter, faith Is the standard, the faith
that endures. From this springs every
noble and Chrlstllke quality,
All the New Testament writer's push
into prominence this point OF view.
ave glory in tribulations," says Paui.
because they produce In US patience.
gteadfastness and hope. These ars
Chrlstlike qualities, the flower Of
Christian character. the possession at
which constitutes the triumph which
makes all the tests worth while. When
we become Christians, a new life from
above Is impaired to u.s. Every Christ
like and gracious quality IL embodied
In this new life. even as the oak tres
is wrapped up In the acorn. The up&
folding and development OF this lifs
Is the one big outstanding problem
confronting us. Without the manifold
temptations the new life would b
dwarfed and stunted. Because Of
their operation and result, the life u
perfected, so that where patience has
her perfect work the life stands per
feet and entire, wanting nothing"
Somehow the Christian life develops
best under adversely All sunshine
makes the desert. Life needs clouds
In order to have glorious sunset.
Another factor entering Into the
triumph emanating from the manitoba
temptations is the capacity to enjoy
which those have who patiently en-
dure the sufferines OF this present
time. They viii best be able TO enjoy
the glories that shall be revealed In ~
So hen, there is reason to count Il
all Joy when We fall Into manifold
temptations knowing that the trial Of
your faith worketh patience" This b
not mere passive submission. but rath-
er endurance. II Is the faith that does
not shrink. the perseverance that does
not falter under burdens. When this
sort OF patience Is permitted 10 have
a perfect work. perfection OF life an1
character is reached. and this Is the
triumph that makes all endurancs
worth while and enables Us TO count 4
every sort Of joy when we ''faII Int
manifold temptations" II Is possIfis
to hinder this triumph unless the In
man win co-operates with the diviue
purpose. There is grace enough fw
his also. so that suiferings may b
borne joyously as well as submiSsiveiy.