SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 351, 8 October 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

LIVING UP TO OTJR PRIVILEGES. There is no doubt that we live below our privileges as Christians. Our privileges are glorious. No vision of life we can conceive of can be so exalted, so noble, 60 divine, as is the actual life of one who is a child of God. It is impossible to paint its possibilities in colours too bright. Because the glories of the spiritual life are not earthly and therefore do not appeal to our physical senses, it is not easy for us to realize their value and importance. But truly to be " partakers of the divine nature" to be " if ohildren, then heirs ; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ," is to have the highest honour possible to a human life. It is not possible that we can fully know the value of our privileges in the present life. However much we may see of our inheritance, there are treasures in it yet undiscovered by us and undiecoverable bere. However deep the joy which our hearts may experience, there must ever remain other depths unexplored until we enter the larger life of heaven. However lofty our attainments may be, we can at best only begin in this world to reach the excellences of spirit which belong to our perfected character. Yet it is our duty to gather into our life all that we can receive. At many points, therefore we may reach after the better things that are ours. We do not make the most of our Bible. . . . Prayer. . . . Church-

life, nor the best possible of our life in the work of Christ. The possibilities of Christian service are incalculable. For example, the influence which a true home exerts on its inmates is beyond measure.

Every individual Christian is the centre of a circle whose hearts he may touch with a benediction of love. He is a custodian of blessing which he is to impart to others. The noblest life is the one that is given up most unselfishly to serving.

It is our privilege and our duty to make all we can of the opportunities we have. Ever before us shines the ideal, always unreached and ever calling us to better things. Though we may not hope to attain its full beauty, we should ever press towards it in faith and hope and love. Each day of such striving will bring us a little nearer to it, and at last when we break through the wall into the life beyond, we shall realize it. "It doth not yet appear what we shall be ; but we know that, when He shall appear, wa shall be like Him ; for we shall see Him as He is." —Dr. J. R. Miller (F).