Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1921-07-13

@@s found in connec'
.A@ tion with his pub.
A Nx#s#a lie life in the pO
litical arena, but
rather In those episodes In which he
had been able TO strengthen the re-
lglouS faith and deepen the religious
life OF his fellows.
How comforting that the humblest
can share with him this greatest of nn
joys! The Apostle raul's heart was
thrilling with It when he addressed the
philippians as his "joy. and crown"
Those whom he mad helped on the road
to God were his Joy and will be his
cruwn.
Paul also speaks of these converts as
his "brrthrcn.' 1t will he recalled that
when the church ut rhilippi was found
ed (Acts lG). there were gathered to-
gethcr In its fellowship such Il varied
company as Lydia. the wcll-tolo ASi
attic; the Greek SLAVE girl, out of whom
demon was cast; and the rude
Roman jnIcr. Yet these were made
one In Christ, and to these it might
have been said "Ihcre is neither Jew
nor Greek, there is neither bond nor
for ye 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 ut times
among Christians. Yet many bear
witness that times ofatesting 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 a
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 ef-
= fects preparatory 60 moving. But his
poor pnr'shiOners gathered about him
ana entreatcd him to stay with them.
lie could not resist their plendings and
told them he would remain, even
though penury stared him in the face.
That night John Fawcett wrote:
Blcst 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 iiows
The sympathetic tear.
10 these "brethrcn dearly beloved
and longcd for" Paul writes concern.
Ing their standing fast. lie knew too
well that Satan would seek to over
throw their faith and crush out their
spiritual life. This enemy OF souls Is
still actively engaged in this business
and Pnul's words Of counsel are as full
OF vital interest today as when they
were spoken.
What stimulus is found in the fact
that we are nll, by faith, "in the Lord"
Being thus, we may hope to "stund
fast" However, 1t 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
wondrously beautiful and useful Chris
tian 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 sin the Lord" and thus he was
able to stand fast"
1t Is somewhat difficult to find the
connection Of the word $50" In tho
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
race, TO press toward the mark for the
prize of their high calling. Hence, It
appears, there Is difference between
standing fast and standing still. Just
rs the rider on bicycle is assured OF
steadfnstness only by making prog
reSs, so the Christinn who would
"stand fast" must "prcss toward tho
mark"
But we must not overlook the word
"thcrcforc,' with which the text bc.
gins. Wherever God has "therefore"
lie has q "whcrcforc." In this ,n.
stance it is found I'm the verses imme.
diately preceding (3:20, 2D: "ror
our conversation IS in heaven: from
whence also we look for the Savior
the Lord Jesus Christ; who sba,i
change our vile body, thnt 1t NAV no
fashioned like unto His glorious BODY
according to the working whereby He
Is able even to subduc all things unto
Himself. Therefore, my brethren dear.
ly beloved and longcd for, my joy ana
crown 20 stand fnSt IN thn 7 nrl ~