Morning Star

CHRISTIAN PEACE.

BY H. J. MACNAMARA.

Meekness, love and charity, naturally produce peace; and were every breast animated by these dictates as powerfully as our Lord desired, there could be no more strife. But independently of these powerful agents, there is much in the Gospel that tends directly to the same results; and in truth nothing can be more clearly marked than the favor shown to peacefulness.

"The God of peace," and "the Author of peace,"are terms bestowed on the Almighty and the disciples called Jesus "our peace." The word of God is styled " the Gospel of peace;" and the apostles regarded themselves as the ambassadors of peace. Our Lord in his eulogy on the virtues which form the true Christian, did not omit this blessing:-" Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." " Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill, shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. . . . First, be reconciled to thy brother, then come and offer thy gift. . . . . . Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art in the way with him.

These passages are intended to elevate man in the estimation of his brother man. If it be attended by such terrible consequences to curse him, it must be still more fatal to destroy his life. Hatred, which is the grand incentive to strife, is here carefully prohibited.

In that concise and simple, yet most eloquent model of prayer taught by our Lord, there occur a few words which seem to express the condition in which this world should be, and in which every Christian must pray and strive that it may be.— " Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven!" The will of the Almighty, as set forth in the Scriptures, is love, mercy and peace; and though we pray that it may ever be obeyed here as in his own kingdom, yet we act in direct opposition to it. It is not sufficient alone to pray. The Divine will is performed in heaven by angels, who are united by the ties of affection and devotion which center in the Deity. They act in unison, and each ministers to the other. There is no strife, no emulation, save that of pleasing their maker! Tranquility reigns around, only broken by hymns of praise, and joyful songs of gratitude. Is the Divine will obeyed so on earth! Do all desire their Father's honor and glory, or promote them by obeying his commands, and loving their brethren? And yet we daily profess to desire this in our prayers! This is not the example that Jesus left: for when the awful moment arrived, that the impiety of man was to be crowned by the murder of his Savior; at that trying hour his theory was converted into practice,—" Father," he cried, "if thou be willing, remove this cup from me, nevertheless not my will, but thine be done;" and the disciples, when weeping at the thoughts of losing Paul by a cruel death, yet ejaculated, "The will of the Lord be done.