The Perversity of the Heart.
By G. C. Tenney
It may be difficult for us to realize, at first, the force of the words written by the prophet Jeremiah, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." But that fact was demonstrated very early in the history of our race, for it is said that "God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination [marg., purposes and desires] of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." That human nature has not changed in its attitude toward God, will be clearly seen when we consider the position which mankind naturally chooses upon any principle of godliness. Man despises the character which God honors. The glory of God appears in the life of Christ in those perfect examples of righteousness, love, patience, meekness, and all the kindred graces; while the pride of man looks upon these with scorn, and glories in pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the froward mouth which God hates. If the world were asked for some example of glory, it would point to Bismarck, Vanderbilt, or some great man either of the past or present. If we ask the word of God, with universal accord it points to the Lamb of God. And his characteristics were just the opposite to those of the heroes of the world. The glory of God is reflected in the face of his Son, especially in that hour when the fate of the world depended upon his fortitude, when the results of his mission seemed to tremble through the weakness of his humanity. He hung upon the cross and cried out in his agony. Around him his cruel foes exulted in bitter taunts. In conscious innocence he was suffering, the guiltless for the guilty. His heart was rent with agony, and then he remembered his enemies. He prayed for them and offered the excuse of ignorance. He rose from the dead not the only conqueror of death, but he also triumphed over those principles which are the stronghold of human and Satanic pride and wickedness. This same disposition upon the part of human nature to get as far from God as possible is manifested in the way they naturally obey his requirements and directions. For instance when the Lord instructs us to be "buried by baptism," the majority choose to be sprinkled. Instead of an immersion one drop of water is considered plenty. So, also, when God commands us to keep the seventh day as the Sabbath of the Lord, man goes to the other end of the week and chooses a day, and says, "Verily, this is an improvement on the old way." And when God says of an animal that "he is unclean, of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch," man discovers that pork is the "sweetest meat in the world," indispensable to a laborer. It is so valuable that not a scrap must be lost. Every portion of the carcass is used either as food or in the preparation of food. How must such a feast appear in the sight of God? The word of God warns us, sanitary authorities lift their voice, the nations are trying to shield their people, but appetite clamors, and wins the field. "I must have my pork," is the decision. It is but a manifestation of the same disposition that controlled Eve in the garden of Eden. God said of the fruit of a certain tree, "Thou shalt not eat of it;" and it became to her the one thing desirable above all others. She ate and entailed upon herself and her posterity the bitter fruits of disobedience. Centuries after, when God provided food for his people, and "man did eat angels' food," they soon loathed it, and their hearts lusted after the leeks, the garlick, and the onions. We wonder at their perverted tastes, which could reject the pleasant, nutritious manna and choose such bitter, pungent food. But these herbs represent sin, which we regard as sweet, but which, in its true nature, is more bitter than garlic. Let us pray, as did the psalmist, "Create within me a clean heart, O God." "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Our hearts should be subdued and renovated by the grace of God, and then, "Keep [margin, above all, keeping] thy heart with all diligence." G. C. TENNEY.