p. 514 | As Becometh Saints by New York Observer

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 26, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 33.

"As Becometh Saints."

By New York Observer

THE people of God, in the Scriptures, are characterized as "saints." They are thus designated, because they are already holy in some measure, and because they will eventually be perfectly so. And, as saints, certain things become them. They should essentially differ from what they once were, and from what others still are.

In the first place, they should be saintly. They should be what the name signifies. This, as applied to them, should not be a misnomer. They should possess, in a large measure, that holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. They should be both pure in heart and pure in life. They should abstain from all appearance of evil. They should be Israelites indeed, in whom there is no guile.

They should be heavenly minded. Their thoughts and affections should be chiefly on things above. They should be Christ-like. They should be characterized for all the excellence that adorned his character. Like him, they should be "holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners." They should be meek and lowly in heart, benevolent and kind, patient and submissive, forbearing and forgiving, loving and sympathizing, humble and condescending, and eminent for everything that is lovely and of good report.

These, and the like things, are expected of all that belong to Christ. He himself expects it of them. When he washed the disciples' feet, he said unto them: "I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you." And so should it be in respect to all imitable things. It is by thus doing, that they adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour.

And the world also expects these things of them. They reasonably expect that the disciples of Christ will conform their lives to his precepts and example. It is only then that they act becomingly. Those that profess to be saints should be consistent. They should be saintly.—New York Observer.