The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-03-09

more 70 be guarded against, as secret
drinking or the taking Of drugs
| H. This leads to a consideration q,
the need Of self-restraint to which the
season - Lent ii particular calls US
And here We encounter an error that i
widespread in these days Partly
from misconeeption Of what is really
meant by Christian teaching on the
subject. people are apt TO ridicule the
idea Of our nature, or the world, being
in a fallen condition. Rather, some
say, we are all (apart from religious
motives or help) on an upward path
Of progress towards greater freedom,
and all that hinders the full develop
ment Of mans nature Is TO be thrown
away The existence and force Of de
sires point to their legitimate gratih-
cation
The fallacy Of this sort Of argument,
which is by no means uncommon, IL
not always so plainly expressed, lies
VI NNAtHf III ti' aHiplfuouH use VI iHt
words nature and natural Do we
mean by them what is in accordance
with mans true nature-the whole Of
it, all his powers Of body, mind, heart,
conscience and will in harmonious de-
velopment and subordination Or do
we mean what Is in accordance with
mans nature as we commonly find Il,
without training or discipline, in which
bodily appetites and desires break free
from the restraints Of reason and CON
science, while the faculties OF the mind
in like manner recognize no limitation
to their powers? II is this latter con-
dition which is meant when il is said
that our nature is fallen, fallen, that
is, from its true standard and harmony
into state of disorder. Never mind
now how this came about; IL Is fact,
taught by observation and experience
as well as by revelation, that we live
in disordered world, that things are
out OF gear, and not as they should be
and were intended to be; and that we
bear about a fallen, that Is disorder
dered, nature, wherein lower elements
are not in subordination to higher, and
consequently there Is need not only Of
watchfulness, but Of restraint and
self-denial, Of saying No to many
natural desires and impulses (of
ease or pleasure, Of ambition or tenn
peri.
We have feelings and impulses witt
IN us that clamor for qualification.
which it is our duty and our wisdom
TO 'prc7s Or at least 10 regulate and
restrain within limits and along APP
pointed lines. II is not safe TO ride or
drive a skittish horse with a loose
rein. This is the meaning Of the Spir-
itual biddings in figurative language
to "mortify" or "crucify" "the old
man." our disorderly impulses, Aeshly
or spiritual, that are in rebellion
against the will Of God and against
our true nature, to which our Lord
Jesus Christ recalls US.
We may look at the matter in an
other light, or from another point OF
view. So far from the idea of the Fall
being incompatible with thoughts and
hopes of progress, or the recognition
Of this as Gods purpose for man, the
detection OF mans nature, Of which
we are conscious, was, we may believe,
due TO his refusal to obey an upward
call in the development Of the higher
and spiritual elements Of his being.
He was content TO remain on lower
level Of animal or sense life. refusing
the offer Of spiritual life. that would
enable him 70 have real fellowship
with God. Evolution has been defined
as adaptation to envir-
Then we may say religious
ly, imam has evolved wrongly because
at a certain point he refused 10 adapt
himself to and TO obey the demands
Of a certain spiritual environment"
II is not that he was created perfect,
but he was put on the way TO perfec-
ton, and he chose to remain in a state
Of imperfection.
This line Of thought, which may be
helpfully followed out will not only
free us from the dread Of our religion
being contrary 20 science; il points TO
The very practical lesson that there
must be continued effort 10 rise II
spiritual life Is rot TO be lost. We
must not be content % remein where
and as We are. "Excclsior"- upward
ind onward-is a Christian motto; il
Ihould be applied % Lent Lent
.hould Be q time FOR spiritual effort.
BOT merely aQainst temptation 70 what
3 wrong. but in the cultivation q
What right Walk in The pirit and
Te sh..ll rot win not. flifl thc lusts II