Christian Nation Vol. 18 1893 - Rparchives.org

April 19, 1893.A FAMILY PAPEE.II. The Advantages of Finding Wisdom. Evils in the life of the Christian retard the work ofThes© verses are full of the blessings which building in the temple of his soul. We mnst expectcome to those who have found wisdom. Count opposition, as we build, from men and forms of evil.They built with earnestness. "The people hid athem and see if you cannot findten blessings.mind to work. ' They were not half-hearted; they"Seek ye firstthe kingdom of God and Hismeant what they were at; they determined to finishrighteousness and all these things shall be that wall. They understood the importance of theiradded unto you."work. There ia a vast deal of latent energy in theYet men spend thoir lives in searching for ohurch; much indififerenoe and sloth. Look over thehappiness, riches, honor, peaoe, etc.j'elsewhere, ohurch statistics. Look over your own congregation,never heading Wisdoms offer.study the whole work of the whole church. Is thechurch on fire ? Is there anything like there oughtIII. How Wisdom is Obtained.to be, in view of the church's obligations and blessings,in view of the value of the soul, and the world'sWe must seek her, v. 13. We must lay holdupon her, v. 18. We must keep her, v. 21 need?From these verges we see that we must makesome effort if we are to enjoy the advantagesThey depended on Ood for aid. Their own workwould have broken down just here, if they had not.of wisdom."Then answered I them, and snid unto them. TheGod is the source of all wisdom, from HimGod of heaven 'ae will prosper us." "Neverthelesswe made our prayer unto God, and set a watch againstwe must obtain her. "If any man lack wisdomlet him ask of God who giveth to all men shall flghtfor us." They knew the need of diviue aidthem day and night because of them." "Our Godliberally, and it shall be given him." "Trust in as well as of human perseverance. They were neitherthe Lord with all thine heart; and lean notunto thine own understanding."PRAYERMEETING TOPIC.Rev. T. H. Aoheson.Prayermeeting topic for Wednesday, April 26,1893:"So built we the wall.""" Neh. 4: 6.1. They wrought in cooperation.2. They built on againut great opposition.3. They built with much earnestness.4 They depended on God for aid.Parallel passages: Neh. 2.19; 2: 20: 4:1, 3; 4: 8;4:9; 4:20; 4:21; 6:9. Hag, 1: 4; 1: 9; 1:14. Zech.4: 9,10. 1 Cor. 3: 11. Eph. 2: 19,22. IPet. 2: 5, 8.Suitable Psalms: 127, 102, (L. M.) 14, 18, 122,137; 1, 6; 3, 11:1, 5.These persons spoken of in the text were the Jewsrebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after the returnfrom captivity, and after the temple had been rebuilt.They are at work under Nehemiah, and it is nowsome time since the return under Zerubbabel, perhapsninety years. These words are suggestive indifferent ways concerning the work of the church andthe churoh member.These builders •wrought in cooperation. Eaoh onetook his place in preparation for defence, or in building.They were under one leader, Nehemiah; theywere engaged at the same work; and tuey worked onharmoniously. This was important for their success.Ohristian people should work in harmony at all times;whether the work be erecting a house of worship,building up a congregation, or building on the greatspiritual temple of Christ, His church in the world.We are not isolated factors in Christ's kiugdom. Weare all connected; and far better results will follow,if we all remember that W8> are parts of one great organization,whether the reference m 1 Cor. 12 ch.is to the leaders or the laity. Notice the prinoiple inthe twentieth and twenty-flrst verses; "Now are theythat should make me be. He cares. lie notices." Inasmuch as ye have done it." What? That littlething whioh waa needed when I was nigh? "Yedid it unto me."3. My choice fixes my eternal destiny. No choicethat I shall make can be wholly for this world or thenext. This is the preparation world and the prepara­many memoers, yet but one body. And the eye oannotsay unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor GLASGOW'S HSTORY:again the head to the feet, I have no need of you." A few copies of Glasgow's History of the ReformedThey built on against great opposition. "Even Presbyterian Church, also on hand wrapped ready for tion period, so that choose either way my choice shallthat whioh they build, if a fox go up, he shall even mailing, will be forwarded at once, on receipt of reduced determine my future throughout eternity. If I choosebreak down their stone wall." Sanballat, Tobiah, price, $3.50.Mammon as my master, can I find salvation fromand Geshem are not dead yet. And others, perhapssin ? In his service I shall but add sin to sin and myless pronounced in their opposition, often hinderBROAD SHADOWS:condemnation shall be assured. To choose MammonGod's work. Indififerenoe, difference of opinion, and " An offering of a cup of living water which has re­is to choose the Prince of Darkness, as my com­niggardliness, sometimes interfere in the building ofa house of worship. These same causes hinder Ohristianwork at home and abroad. The liquor trafific, laxand unscriptural divorce laws. Sabbath desecration,secret societies, impure literature, and many otherevils, work right against the cause of the church.fatalists, nor independent men. Whether we are buildingGod's house of worship, or striving to grow inholiness, or laboring in reform, or trying to build upthe church at home or abroad, we must depend on theL Lord for help. And he will help. " Hold thou me' up and I shall be safe." " I-have planted, Appolloswatered, but God gave the increase." "Lo, I amwith you alway, even nnto the end of the world."Thus Jesus succeeded. Notwithstanding great opposition,by laboring together, by laboring earnestly,and by depending on the Lord, they succeeded. AndBO will we succeed, if we follow their example.adopted by the session of the New Alexandria congregation,April 5th, 1893 :We are agaiu admonished of our own mortality andhear anew the warning, " Beye also ready." With sorrowwe record (he death of our brother and companionin Ohrist's service. Since the year 18S2 he hasbeen a ruler in this congregation, and by his consistentlife, his calm and clear judgment, and his manlyChristian bearing, he adorned his ofifice and honoredhis profession. Concerning his death we can trulysay, "A prince is fallen in Israel." With thecongregationand the church at large we join in layingour tribute upon his grave. To his sorrowing friendswe extend our sympathy, and especially to his widowand fatherless children. We have no regrets to expressfor we know that our Father in heaven doeth allthings well. We submissively bow to His will andsay, " Even so Father, for so it seemed good in thysight."Eesolved—That this minute be entered upon theminutes of this session and a copy sent to the familyof DR. our J. departed R. W. SLOANE brother. :We have four more copies of the life of Dr. J. R. W,Sloane. These four books have just come into our possession. They are packed ready for mailing and wilbe forwarded immediately on receipt of price, $3.00with 28c. extra for postage.freshed the author's own spirit." The object of thisbook is that Faith will work by Love. Cloth: $1.25,Any present subscriber to the Christian Nation sendingus a new subscriber ($1.50) and 10c. for postage willreceive a copy of this book free. The new subscriberwill also receive a copy.rL.CHRISTIAN ENDEAVORTOPIC.'^._JBy the Rev. T. Holmes Walker.Authorized topic for week beginning April 30, 1893."My choice. What is it?" Prov. 1: 29; Matt. 6:19-24.The fact that the Scriptures urge me to make achoice, proves two things. First, that I have theright to make a choice and, second, that I can havewisdom enough to make a right ohoice. If this werenot so why would Ohrist plead with me to accept ofHis ofifer of salvation ? Why should He offer Himselfto me as the Mediator and Intercessor ? My right tochoose no man, no one, can take away from me. Whata responsibility is mine then! I cau not shift thisresponsibility for ohoice to the shoulders of anyother. Life and death are set betore me, and I choosewith clear, distinct understanding of what I am doing.I have not been left without sufficient knowledge ofwhat I should choose and what would be the result ofmy ohoice, so that I can weigh this side and that verycarefully, and need make no mistake. God has faithfuUywarned and counselled me. I have co excuse ifI choose wrongly. The glory belongs to God if Iohoo^ rightly.Concerning "My choice, and what it is,'' let us notice,1. I must choose between two masters. I cannotbe master in any case. I must give up any idea ofsach an,independenceas that, and the sooner the betterIt is a master I mast choose, Christ or the world. Ioannot profess faith in Jesus Christ and offer to followHim and reserve a part of time or ability for the serviceof Mammon. If Christ be worthy of any service.He is worthy of all. Can I think of half-heartednessin my giving when He gave all ? " Choose ye this daywhom ye will serve."A master tbat robs the pocket, steals the ohacater,defiles the person arid ruins the soul, or a master whoeniiahes, beautifies the character, purifies the person,saves the soul. " Choose ye."2. My choice is clearly shown in my life. I provemyself not so much by what I say, as by what I do. Thesaying is easier than the doing. If I rise in prayermeetingto testify as to my love for Christ and on theway home slander my neighbors, there is an untruthnot far from home. If I promise to do all I can forChrist and carelessly use my time I am deceiving myself.Everyday actions write with indelible ink thecharacter in truth and sincerity. Not momentarythoughtfulness, nor goodness; not casual thrills oflove ; not bursts of enthusiastic praise, but the generaltrend of life, shows who is|my master. How carefulpanion throughout eternity and hell as my everlastingabode. But to choose Christ is to save my life in thisworld and to enjoy the everlasting companionship ofJesns and the saints of God in the home of theblessed. The ohoice of " now" is the choice of eternity.