Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 June 1916 — FINALLY, BRETHREN, THINK! [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FINALLY, BRETHREN, THINK!

Quarterly Review—June tS. The Power of the Mind, the Will—As ■ Man Thinketh, So Is He—The Power of Evil Thoughts—The Power of Good Thoughts—Thinly of Pure Things. Praiseworthy Things. “ Finally, brethren, tchatsocvcr things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are fust, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”—Philipplans 1,;8. few people ■ Beem to appreciate the great J power of the mind and its potent influence upon our lives. Few mothers realize that their very thoughts have to do with the molding of their unborn children—giving them either helpful or injurious dispositions Few fathers realize this, or seek to co--operate with their wives in the bringing forth of noble children, by stirring up the wife’s mind with noble thoughts, nigh ideals—with things of beauty, grace, art, purity, reverence, spirituality. When people come to know the power of the mother’s mind for good or for evil toward the children, it will undoubtedly 'work a radical change in many homes; for most people would rather do right than wrong, and one of their chief difficulties is ignorance. But while interested in mankind in general, we are never to forget that the Bible is addressed to God’s children, who have entered into a special

covenant with Him through the Lord Jesus Christ, and who have become New Creatures through the begetting of the Holy Spirit" The world will be taught and developed during the Millennium. But now, in the present life, the only opportunity for development is on the

part of those begotten of the Holy Spirit and expecting a perfecting on the spirit plane in the Resurrection of the Just. As much, therefore, as we feel interested in the world, it is the Christian’s duty to follow the Lord’s example and be especially interested in his brethren in Christ. Many Christians have learned to govern their actions. Many have learned to control their tongues in a measure, remembering that the tongue with which we praise God could injure fellow creatures. (James 3:1-10.) But restraint of conduct and of word is difficult unless the mind, the will, be brought into line with the will of God. Hence God shows us what He requires, and sets before us great and precious promises, to work in our minds and thus to carry out in our words and actions the Lord’s will. Questions For Self-Examination. In our Golden Text the Apostle points out the proper course for us to take in getting control of ourselves. Every thought should be challenged; for if an evil thought, a selfish thought, or a mean thought, a depraved thought, be admitted, it will germinate and bring forth a great defilement, which will affect our Words and our conduct, and will extend to others. We may learn to do the challenging readily, even along the comprehensive lines laid down in this lesson. (1) Is the thought which is seeking consideration in our mind an honorable one? If so, it may pass in and be entertained. If not, it should immediately be expelled as an evil influence. (2) Is the thought suggested pure—not sensual, not selfish? If so, it may pass on for further consideration. If it fails to prove its purity, it should immediately be resented as likely to do great harm—as would the entrance into our house of things infected with a plague. (3) Is the thought lovely? Does it appertain to lovable things? Does it excite lovable influences, or is it more or less identified with hate, resentment, anger, malice? If lovely, it may pass on. If not, it must be at once expelled. (4) Is it reputable? Is it one which would be well thought of by all reputable people, if they understood everything connected with the thought? (5) Has the thought any virtue or is it praiseworthy in any sense of the word? If so, it may be admitted. If not, it should be repelled; for even if it

be blameless otherwise, the fact that it is not of any value is a reason for its rejection. We have neither time nor place for things that are merely not bad. We desire to have in our hearts and our minds things that are positively good, helpful, bene-

fieial in some way. Otherwise, the thought should be repelled as a mere cumberer of our hearts, of our minds, needed for profitable things. Much novel reading is of this character—not evil, but not advantageous. Whatever we may be naturally, the people of God who follow the instructions of the Divine Word surely become noble people, helpful people, possessed of the spirit of a sound mind; and these things will be only a part of their preparation for the Kingdom and for the great work then to be entrusted to them as the servants of God( under their Redeemer and Head. I

Considering God’s Heavens.

Studying God’s Word.