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perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4. 13).

It is a great mistake to suppose that Christian perfection is some marvelous attainment in religious experience beyond which there is no possibility of making further progress. Much is said in Scripture about going on, but no authority is given to stop this side of heaven. The Christian life is an eternal life, and may not our progress in that life also be eternal? Some want to stop at conversion, some at the second blessing, and some at the third, but why not go on through this life and to all eternity? Peter and John received three baptisms of the Holy Spirit during the first year of their ministry, but they did not think they had all there was for them and stop. Saint Paul went on to perfection nearly thirty years and classed himself with the perfect (Phil. 3. 15), yet he continued to press on to still greater heights of perfection, saying, "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect, but I follow after. . . . I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things that are behind and reaching forth unto those things that are before, I press on toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3. 12-14). It makes no difference what may have been our experience, we are never too high to heed the exhortation of Paul. "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection" (Heb. 6. 1).

CHRISTIAN UNITY

That Christian unity is helpful is best known by those who have tried it. Unfortunately, some people are too selfish and narrow to test it. There are still some professors who are like the old deacon who prayed, "Lord bless me and my wife, my son John and his wife, us four and no more." Some opponents of Christian unity have gotten a little nearer to it, so they pray, "God bless me and my family, my church and my preacher," but they are not concerned in anybody else. To the shame of Christianity, some professors antagonize and hinder all churches but their own at every opportunity they have.

It never pays anybody to be narrow and selfish in their church life. The narrow sectarian spirit is always harmful, and the spirit of Christian unity brings prosperity and happiness to church circles.

Of course church people cannot all see alike as to many of the minor questions, but they can be one in aim and purpose, which is the essential thing. Men do not agree on business, politics, art, science, etc., and why should it be expected that they see the same on all things pertaining to salvation?

Christian unity does not mean that all shall belong to one great church, or teach exactly the same doctrines, but that all Christians shall be one in purpose and aim, and that they shall be courteous and helpful to each other.

The Psalmist says, "Behold how good and

how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" (Psa. 133. 1). Some things are good and not pleasant, and some are pleasant and not good, but Christian unity is both good and pleasant.

CHRISTIAN BENEVOLENCE

"Contributions to the cause of religion is the bounden duty of all Christians. Yet God requires no unreasonable sacrifice for the promotion of his cause and leaves the whole matter to

the judgment and piety of his children. He places no binding obligation on any man that is impossible or burdensome to meet. "God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9. 7), and no other kind are pleasing to him.

No better rule for Christian benevolence has ever been found than the one instituted by Saint Paul, who said, "On the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God has prospered him" (1 Cor. 16. 2).

We would not magnify the duty of benevolence above other Christian duties, but it is well to give it due consideration. Wesley says: "Get all you can without hurting your soul, your body, or your neighbor. Save all you can, cutting off every needless expense. Give all you can. Be glad to give, and ready to distribute."

Christ says, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom" (Luke 6. 38).

CHRISTIANITY AND TEMPERANCE

Drunkenness is an evil strictly forbidden of God and should be earnestly opposed by all followers of Christ. This is one of the greatest and most prevalent of all sins, and Christianity should stand firm and determined against it. Saint Paul classes it with murder and other sins. which shut men out of heaven and banish them to eternal darkness. "Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelling, and such like; of which I tell you before, as I have told you in the past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal. 5. 21). Here is another long list that Scripture says are excluded from heaven, and in it we find drunkenness. "Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revellers, nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God" (2 Cor. 6. 10).

Whiskey and religion will not mix any more than will oil and water. If men will drink it they cannot be Christians, and they should not profess to be followers of the immaculate Son of God. Intemperance is the greatest enemy the church has, and this world can never be saved half drunk and half sober. We must first get whiskey out of men; then, and then only, can we get religion into them. "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise" (Prov. 20. 1).

A leading church has well said: "We earnestly protest against the members of our church giving countenance to the liquor traffic by voting.

to grant license, or signing the petitions of those who desire license, to sell either distilled or fermented or vinous liquors, or by becoming bondsmen for persons asking such license, or by renting property to be used as a place in or on which to manufacture or sell such intoxicating liquors."

SABBATH OBSERVANCE

No duty is plainer taught in Scripture than that of Sabbath observance. The Sabbath is the oldest institution in the world, having been proclaimed the first week in the world's history. "And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it he had rested from all his work" (Gen. 2. 3). This one monument of God's creative power has stood unshaken through all the ages of the world's history. Moses found it in the world and observed by God's people two thousand and five hundred years after its institution, and said, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy" (Exod. 20. 8). When Christ appeared on earth he found this monumental Sabbath, then more than four thousand years old, still unshaken by the ravages of the ages, and he declared, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2. 27). The world is beginning to realize the truthfulness of this statement, and is finding that God did not command observance of the Sabbath to please himself or assert his authority, but because it is a human necessity. The Sabbath is a physical necessity. Man and beast can do more work and

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