Article September 21, 1907 Issue

THE LIFE VICTORIOUS

REV. WILLIAM P. MC KENZIE.

It would almost seem as if the arrangements in business and social life had been made with the view of keeping men from consideration of the real purpose of living. A business will seem to be voracious, assimilating a man's whole energies and his entire time. Domestic and social demands upon a woman will seem to be so imperative that she has no home rest, no peace of mind. When at last health droops and the spur of excitement can no longer urge on the breathless pace, when there is utter weariness or pain to meet, then perhaps for the first time comes the question, What is the purpose of living?

If a man is tending a fruit-bearing tree he has no uncertainty as to the end in view. He nurtures its growth, fertilizes the soil, prunes away useless branches, with one clear object, the development of his tree, that it may bear fruit after its kind. Yet how much more wonderful is a man than a tree! The mellow fruit of all climes, excellent in beauty and luscious in flavor, how faintly does it compare with "the fruit of the Spirit." And how permanent the fruit bearing of "love, joy, peace, ... gentleness, goodness, faith"! When once these have become characteristic of a man's thinking, his mind cannot be again unfruitful but continues to bear fruit unto "eternal life."

In order to become fruitful a man must become aware that mere accumulation is not growth. He may intellectually gather facts, or politically gain distinction, or socially achieve honors, yet these are merely in juxtaposition; they are not vitally connected with the man, since the facts may be forgotten, the political advantages lost, the honors discredited. Likewise wealth and the power it gives is of uncertain tenure. Its accumulation sometimes retards the true growth, since wealth should be an incident in life rather than the object of life. No orchard keeper would pile heaps of stones about his trees and because of these noticeable mounds make claim that his trees were better than those of his neighbor; yet men are misled by mindless custom and heap together possessions from which they gain no more actual enrichment than a tree from piled-up cobblestones. It is the fruit-bearing ability that is estimated in a tree; and in man it is character that is esteemed. The beauty of his surroundings may evidence character, since choice must be made manifest in such matters as housing and clothing, and any man who is really useful should have enough to provide adequately for these transient necessities, and be able to manifest his choice and selection. Character, however, has subtler evidences. A king bereft of his kingdom may still be kingly. The leader of a lost cause may still be great. One who was crucified may win the honor and love of all mankind. And why? Because as victors in life's conflict they prove themselves to be representatives of Mind, whose qualities are lovable and changeless.

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