Christian Nation Vol. 18 1893 - Rparchives.org

May 17, 1893.A EAMILY PAPEE.3. Earthly desires are insatiable. The loveof money, for money itself can never be satisfied.There are far moie crazj people at largethan one would believe. An inordinate love ofmoney is a craze. Men heap together silver,and are not satisfied. Otheis add fieldto field,and the more they have the more they want.Others invest in merchandise and are crazy tosell and get more money to buy more goods tosell, to get more money to buy more goods, etc.When will that class of peoplti learn that theyare puiBuing a phantom? Vanity of vanities !3. The supply is always called for. Thisseems a useless waste of time. The more thereis produced, the mofe there are to consume theproduction, and all the good we have of ourlabor is to look at the result for a little bit, andthen it is all gone Would it not be better tolimit our necessities a little? Why should weso persistently follow after the fashion of thisworld which is constantly changing?4. In the evening, the poor is better off thanthe rich, v. 12. A day of hard work seems amatter of great privation to an observer, andthe mau who reclines in his easy carriage,while bis servant drives, and is waited upon inhis home, so that he has notbing to do but enjoylife, that man is envied. In the evening,the laborer lies down and sleeps a sound, undisturbed,dreamless sleep. The voluptuarytosses on his couch, and longs for unconsciousness,unt it does not come. Which is thehappy man now?Take another case, or rather look at thesubject from a more advanced point of view.Let the evening of life advance upon two persons,the one has betn an earnest, constant laborerin Christ's vineyard, the other has servedhimself. The night settles down over them.Above the reclining foim of the one the angelshave written " Blessed are the dead who die inthe Lord. . . they do rest from their labors."Over the other these words may be discovered,"The wicked are like the troubled sea, when itcannot rest." Enquiry : What epitaph willangels read above our grave?PRATER MEETING TOPIC.By the Rev. T. H. Acheson.Prayermeeting topic for Wednesday, May 24, 1893:True godliness is a work of grace. Spurious godliness,counterfeit Christianity, is not. It is man-made, "never-minds " and "never-helps." The "Can't do timore and Ohio Bailroad. All through passengerthe war between the states, by traveling via the Bal­and not the work of God's grace. Man cannot of anything " breed of Ohristians have been for ages like trains of this Company are vestibuled from end tohimself produce, or purchase, true godliness. He a necklace of milestones about the churoh. A man is end, and equipped witb Pullman Sleeping Cars.oannot bring about redemption or regeneration. ' -busy when he is doing his duty. Some men's whole Trains leave New York for New Castle at 12.15 a. m.,Without God's aid he cannot be regenerated and redeemed.When he is saved, it is Gcd who has saved ter, "Wist ye not tbat I must be about my Father's and 4 00 p. m. For full information as to rates, timeduty consists in feeding themselves. Said the Mas­and 1.30 p. m., daily; leave Philadelphia 8.15 a.m.,him. " For by grace are ye saved through faith; and business?" How much it ennobles duty to make itthe of trains aud Sleeping Oar accommodations, apply tothat not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of Father's business. We have no right to try to do so E. G. Tuckerman, City Passenger Agent, 415 Broadway,New York; James Potter, District Passengerworks, lest any mau should boast." Eph. 2:8,9. "Not much for ourselves that we have no time for the Master'sbusiness. In fact if we do all that we do for the Agent, 833 Ohestnut Street, Philadelphia ; or Chas. O.by works of righteousness which we. have done, butaccording to his mercy he saved us, by the washing houor of His name, we will not only have no idle momentsbut we will also lend a willing hand for the —One of our western pastors writes that some mayScull, General Passenger Agent, Baltimore, Md.of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."Titus 3:5. True, God rewards his children for good business of Christ. The Bible ideal of character is to be not oome to Synod owing to the expanse, whi^h nowdeeds, and man can and does cooperate in sanctiflcation,by the use of the powei God has given him; but benevolence. Let us rescue that word from being the chairman of the oommittee, if their coming is [de­II. Benevolent. Let us not have a worldly idea of includes boarding. Any so situated should write tosalvation does not appear to be the result, in any degree,of man's work. Salvation, in its true and full " Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself," is the Bi­and let their attendance be decided by the reply senttrampled in the mire. Benevolence is of the heart. pendent on this, and ask if they will be entertained,sense, is the result of free grace alone.ble way of expressing it. Benevolence in the heart them as to themselves. A number will of choice payTrue godliness will manifest itself. Barnabas here makes a man beneflcent in the life. Such a one will the expense of boarding to relieve others.saw the evidence of it in others. "Who, when he love home and strive to make all aboat him happy andoame, and had seen the grace of God," eto. Godli­comfortable. Tbe measure of love for our neighborsness in our hearts will manifest itseif to us and others.Fire sends forth heat and light. The tree puts forthblossom and bud, and bears fruit. The soul that hasbeen quickened by God's Holy Spirit will give moreor less sign of fpiritual life. If we live in the Spirit,there will be more or less walkiug in the Spirit. Ifwe are branches on the vine, Christ Jesus, there willbe fruit. He who has true love for God and fellowmenwill endeavor to act in a godly, brotherly way.earnestness. There is joy in the pastor's heart as hesees the young of his flock showing more and moreinterest in the sanctuary, the Word, and the work ofGod. How encouraging to see, or hear, of missionarysuccess at home and abroad!Godliness is maintained by persevering effort. Barnabas" exhorted them all, that with purpose of heartthey would cleave unto the Lord." Itis true that Godholds us up, and that if he did not, we should fall andfail. But it is also true that man has work to do inhis spiritual progress. He must put forth effisrt.God does not prepare for beaven the man who sitswitb folded arms. The Scriptures most clearly andrepeatedly urge us to hold on our way in the Christianlife. We are to fight,to run the race, to abstain fromevil, to cleave to that which is good. " Brethren, Icount not CHRISTIAN myself to have ENDEAVORapprehended: TOPIC. but this oneBy thing the I Rev. do, forgetting T. Holmes those Walker. things which are behind,and Authorized reaching forth Topic unto for week those beginning things which May are 28, before, 1893.I press toward the maik for the prize of the high callingThe of God Bible in is Ohrist a mirror. Jesus." It Phil. reveals 3:13,14.be vacant and there has been no opportunity to makeBible Ideal of Character. Prov. 31:20-31; 2 Tim. 2:15.an appointment in constituted session." Please address,0. D. Trumbull, Morning Sun, Iowa.us to ourselves.It does not disfigure us neither does it flatter. Everypoitrayal of living oharacter by the Word of God is —Notice to Clerks of Sessions: Blanks for statistic*true to tbe life. No man's sinning is hidden from view leports have been in the hands of Clerks of Sessionsbut is made manifest even to the secret sins that otherwisewould never have been known. It proves tous not only that God reads and knows us through andthrough but thatHe also willnot give us even the opportunityfor three weeks. The time for returning them to theto think that He will allow in some way thefaults and flawsin our characters to be glossed over.Veneering and varnish may hide a multitude of sinsTrue Godliness. "Who, when he came, and bad seen from the gaze of men but they never will avail withthe grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that God. Silver-washed articles will not be stamped meeting of Synod in New Castle, please send (orwardwith purpose of beart they would cleave unto the " Sterling,"when the Bible ideal of character is in your names to Bobert Speer, Chairman of CorrespondingCommittee, Box 161, New Castle, Pa. SendLord." Acts 11:23.force in the business world. Divorces will not be soOutline by Dr. C. D. Trumbull.frequent when the Bible ideal of character founds the at the earliest opportunity, and whether yon want entertainmentat a hotel or in a private family. Hotel1. True godliness is a work of grace.home. Sin will not be written all over the face and2. True godliness will be manifest.form when the Bible ideal of character rules the passionsof men. Here in God's Word is a perfect picture bouses and private families at from 75o. to $1.00.rates from $1.00 to $1.50 per day ; and at boarding-3. It delights the hearts of the good.4. It is maintained by persevering effijrt.of what we ought to be. The Bible ideal of characterRobebt Speee.Parallel Passages: Eph. 2:8,9. Acts 15:11. Rom. is to be—Those attending the Synod of the Reformed PresbyterianChurch at New Castle, Pa., beginning May3:24. Titus 2:11. Titus 3:5. 2 Tim. 1:9. Mat. 7:21. I. Busy. " Every one at it, and always at it," wasLuke 6:45,46. Eph. 2:10. Acts 2:46. Acts 8:8. Phil. Wesley's motto for the Methodist churoh. Any wonder 31st, oan see more of this country, can view the most3:13,14. 2Pet.3:18. Rom. 13:2. Rom. 12:21. Heb. 13:9. they have been suooessful? It is the Bible plan for successnot only in spreading the glad news of salvation, the eastern cities can pass through Washintfton andpicturesque scenery in Amerioa, and if traveling fromSuitable Psalsms: 65:4,5. 51:11-15. 25:4 7, s. m. 40:-8-10. 98:1-4. 119:33-37.traverse the historio Potomac Valley, the theatre ofbut also in our every day business. Positive people arewhat the world needs to-day. Negative people are thethe need should world be be we that the are measure He called gave upon of His their only to need. die, begotten to '• God Son." crucifled. so loved Ifthat we may bring others to the knowledge of the Saviour.Where the dispensation of the gospel is concernedthe measure of snpply is not what we have, bntthe treasure that lies to our credit stored up for us inJesus Christ. "My God shall snpply all your need."This Ohristian benevolence means forgiveness to thosewho have wronged us. To seven times? Until seventytimes seven. " And forgive us our debts as weforgive our debtors." Hold a grudge sgamst aneighboror harbor evil thonghts and you will reap a fullGodliness delights the hearts of God's people. Tbeytake pleasure in seeing the manifestations of godliness crop of thorns upon which you will have to make yourin their own lives, or in the conduct of others. Barnabashere " was glad " when he saw the evidences of III. Beautiful. A beautiful character gives powerbed. The Bible ideal of character is to beGod's grace among the people. There is ]oy to us in to a beautiful face. To every one it lends a charmseeing men come into the kingdom of God. There is which completely overcomes any outward lack ofgladness in the parent's soul, at the evidences of regenerationin the children of his home ; at the signs thing of chance. To be beautiful is to have the adorn­beauty. Every one may be beautiful, for it is not aof increasing spirituality on their part. It is pleasantto see a family growing in religious knowledge andment of a "meek and quiet spirit." Whatever maybe our opinion with respect to the other women of theBible, we could not but paint Mary, sitting at the feetof Jesus, as being beautiful and fair. If we sit at Hisfeet we shall catch the glory of His character; aye!He has promised to change us from "glory to glory,"(character to character) "even as by tbe Spirit of theLord." Let the flngerthat fashioned tbe world in itsloveliness, and formed tbe heavens in tbeir spleudor,REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SYNOD.bnt mould us according to His gracious will and we—A shall dispatch indeed be so fiom beautiful Mr. that David all will Boyd, take knowledgeof us Kansas that we City, have Missouri, been with reads Jesus. : "Delegates toAmericBuilding,Synod can get half rare rates from Kansas City byapplying to David Boyd."—The Clerk of Synod would again remind sessionsof the rule requiring " sessions to send the names ofdelegates at least one week before the meeting of thejudicatory ;" also that a certiflcate to be regularmust be " signed by the moderator and clerk of session,or by a majority of the elders, if a congregationClerk of Presbytery has expired, and only two havebeen received. The Clerk will prepare his report atonce, and forward to Synod's Committee. No noticewill be taken of reports brought io Synod.R. O. Wvlie, Clerk of Pittsburgh Presbytery.New Oastle, Pa., April 13, 1893,All ministers and ciders who are coming to the