CUPS AND MACKINTOSHES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 880, 25 January 1930, Page 8

CUPS AND MACKINTOSHES

THE QUIET CORKER

F? itten for THE SUN by the Rev. Charles Chandler Q UIiELY no two things are more unlike than cups and mackintoshes , in their uses, as also in their appearance. There is, however , a strange likeness between them, if only by way of antithesis. Cups are for keeping water in. Mackintoshes are for keeping water out. Both these articles are needed as parts of the invisible equipment of a Christian. One for keeping within the very fountain of one's being that sweetness and purity which is of God; and the other for keeping without , all those evil influences which would hurt and afflict the soul. Noio there are two kinds of cups. One used for drinking purposes, and the other for exhibition purposes. In just the same way there are two kinds of Christians. Those whose cujis are filled, and like that of David , “running over,” and those whose cups are as empty as prize trophies under a glass case. Empty because their owners wear the mackintosh of prejudice, and, like the - Pharisees of old, are impervious to the flow of living water that reaches them on every side. Some cups are filled with sadness, as was that of Jesus when He asked that if it were possible the cup should pass from Him; whilst others are brimming o'er with gladness, as was that of the lame man who danced outside the gate of the Temple Beautiful. In our anxiety to preserve what is within the cup, let us not be absolutely impervious to all that is without. Let our mackintoshes be made of prayer, and not of prejudice, then, like the little insect known to naturalists , toe shall have about us an aura, or atmosphere, that will enable us. like him , to dive into the water of life, and yet be free from worldly contamination. Prayer is the Christian's mackintosh. NEXT WEEK: ESC APOLOGY.