SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 357, 22 October 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

THE CHRISTIAN USE OF ABSTINENCE. The Christian conception of the use of abstinence is to bring the body into subjection to the spirit. There is no magic in abstinence ;no mechanical efficiency ; the denials of the body are not, in themselves, acts of holiness, aud do mt store up for a man goodwill in heaven. There is no virtue in abstinence as an end ; there is great virtue in it as a means. The denial of the body was carried so far during the monastic period that it became distinctly tinChristian; now the reaction lias been carried so far that the possible uses of abstinence have been forgotten by many people. The highest type of man has long ceased to be tho ascetic ; it is to Christ, not to John the Biptist, that men turn to-day for the highest illustration of the highest life. The partialistic view is always easier to take than the inclusive view ; the partialistic life is always easier to live than the whole life. In one case the problem is simplified by striking out some of its most perplexing elements ; in the other case living is made easier by eliminating a great class of temptations. The man who sought refuge in the solitude of the desert did not find the peace he sought, because he carried the gravest difficulties with him ; but his personal problem was simplified by retreating from the temptations which come through human relations of i»ll kinds. It was not a victory which the anchorite won; it was immunity from many dangers by leaving the field. It is far easier to deny ths body absolutely than to hold it in loyal subjection to the spirit.—Christian Age. LIFE. In his General Epistle, St. Jamos describes human life as "a vapour, that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away." Yet who that walks through the streets of London and of our other large town.", and takes note of the busy throng of men and women, whose vigorous activity is devoted with absorbing interest \o the pursuits of the moment, realises the truth of this ? With many people life seems to be a thing to play with. Of course there are exceptions, some people look at it more seriously ; and the Word of God says it i« but "a vapour." There are in the busy throng to which we refer but two classes of people, those whose souls are dead, and those whose souls have been born again to now life, by God's grace through Christ. Those whose souls are dead have no living, saving faith in the Creator ; they inherit a nature which was brokeu away from Him when Adam fell, and lies dead in Ihe dust, as Adam's did when ho had sinned against God. Such persons may be very much alive as to the body, but spirituraally they are dead. Tbey are only '' walking according to the courso of this world." They mind earthly things, and find in them their happiness ; their affections are not set on things above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God ; whore they ought to be set, and will bo set, by those who have His Spirit, and are risen with Him. They cannot say—"tho Lord is the portion of mine inheritance." They may have good bodily health and vigour, they may have no laok of the good things of this life, but their life is only a "vapour"; it has no substance, and they are not seeking after eternal life.— English Churchman.