Ministers ought not to be reproached for instructive preaching, and
for not yielding to the demand for sensationalism. 2. The love of truth is the
conclusive test of Christian character. S. Rest not in intellectual attainments in
religion. {Gardiner Spring, D.D.) Knowledge and judgment : — These are the
limits which define the course of love, and thus deepen it. I. Advanced know-
ledge is derived from — 1. Experience. 2. Attentive study of — (1) The Divine
perfections. (2) The gospel mystery. (3) The Divine claims. (4) The principles
of Christ's teaching, which should pervade all Christian conduct. II. Moral
PERCEPTION. 1. Results from the full exertion of every moral sense. (1) There are
many things in Christian life which cannot be formulated, but must be felt to be
known. (2) Grace awakens the moral senses. Love makes them delicately sensi-
tive to spiritual things. Christian life appeals to them. Experience comes in the
exercise of them. (3) This experience produces a profounder knowledge and a
deeper love by intensifying spiritual perceptions, because — 2. It is a medium ol
communication with the unseen and eternaL 3. As a medium of communication
with God it makes the soul superior to, and independent of, the senses. When
these close at eventide, the moral senses only open wider for the morning sun. 4,
It robes the soul with a halo of light more assuring and glorious than " the glory-
cloud " emitted. 5. It imparts to the soul that delicate tact and instinct whicb
almost instinctively perceives what is right, and almost unconsciously shrinks from
what is wrong. 6. It is indestructible by death, and shall be an imperishable
avenue for the soul's perpetual advance in knowledge. (G. G. Ballard.)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Muckle Kate Not a very ordinary name! But then, Muckle Kate, or Big Kate, or Kate-Mhor, or Kate of Lochcarron was not a very ordinary woman! The actual day of her salvation is difficult to trace to its sunrising, but being such a glorious day as it was, we simply wish to relate something of what shone forth in the redeemed life of that "ill-looking woman without any beauty in the sight of God or man." Muckle Kate was born and lived in Lochcarron in the county of Ross-shire. By the time she had lived her life to its eighty-fifth year she had well-earned the reputation of having committed every known sin against the Law of God with the exception murder. Speaking after the manner of men, if it took "Grace Abounding" to save a hardened sinner like John Bunyan, it was going to take "Grace Much More Abounding" to save Muckle Kate. However, Grace is Sovereign and cannot be thwarted when God sends it on the errand of salvation, and even the method used in bri
Read more
  Severance from Christ is death   to the Church. A Christless Church is a headless trunk. We may retain the doctrine and ethic of the New Testament, but, nevertheless, amputation of the Head means death. Even a partial severance of connection involves paraylsis - loss of spiritual power and loss of spiritual feeling. II.  INTERNALLY, THE CHURCH IS THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST. It is filled with Christ. He is not only the Head above it; he is the life within it. He does not only teach, bless, command, and lead from without; he inspires his people and lives in his Church. Christ fills " all  in all;"  i.e.  the Spirit that was in Jesus of Nazareth is in the whole universe, inspiring all creation and all providence with wisdom and goodness, purity and grace. The same Spirit is in the Church. As yet, unhappily, the Church is not filled with Christ. Though Christ is received into the heart of Christians, every door within is not yet flung open to the gracious Guest. But in the perfect
Read more

Lo, I am with you always

Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:20) SUCH were “the words of Jesus” when He was just about to ascend to Heaven. The mediatorial throne was in view – the harps of glory were sounding in His ears; but all His thoughts are on the pilgrim Church He is to leave behind. His last words and benedictions are for them. “I go,” He seems to say, “to Heaven, to my purchased crown – to the fellowship of angels – to the presence of my Father; but nevertheless, ‘Lo! I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’” How faithfully did the apostles, to whom this promise was first addressed, experience its reality! Hear the testimony of the beloved disciple who had once leaned on his Divine Master’s bosom – who “had heard, and seen, and looked upon Him.” That glorified bosom was now hid from his sight but does he speak of an absent Lord, and of His fellowship only as among the holy memories of the past? No! With rejoicing emphasis he can exclaim – “Truly o
Read more