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The Love of the Father
is not in Him.
The picture of the world, here given, is designed to illustrate the meaning of the passage of Scripture written on the board, found in 1 John ii. 15. "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." This does not mean that we are not to love the material world: for its hills and plains, and mountains, and its rippling brooks and rolling oceans, its plants and trees and flowers, all are very beautiful, and challenge our love.
But we are not to love the bad spirit, nor follow the unchristian practice of the world. Paul speaks of it as "this present evil world." Gal. i. 4. Again, in Romans xii. 2, he admonishes his brethren against being "conformed to this world." In the picture we have a reference to some of the things we are not to love. Its teachings, honors, etc. The man who loves these cannot have the love of the Father in him. There is not room enough for God and the world in any one heart. One or the other must be crowded out. "Ye cannot serve God and Mammon." Matt, vi. 24. Dr. Franklin once gave an apple to a BLACKBOARD ILLUSTRATIONS, &c. 269 very little child. The child could scarcely hold it in his hand; he then gave another, which occupied the other hand. Then choosing another, remarkable for its size and beauty, he presented that also. The child, after many ineffectual attempts to hold the three, dropped the last on the floor, and burst into tears. "See there," said Franklin, "there is a little man with more happiness than he can enjoy." If the world fills our hearts and hands, there will be no room for the Master. Let us be wise and give our love to the Father. Demas was charged with the crime of forsaking Paul, and the reason assigned was that he "loved this present world." 2 Tim. iv. 10. How many have given up their hope of heaven for the pleasures and follies of a sinful world. How disappointed they will be, when they find how insufficient and unsatisfactory the world is to the soul. It will allure you to its embrace, and promise you much pleasure; but remember that the "pleasures of sin" are but "for a season." Heb. xi. 25. "In St. Mark's Church, Venice, will be found the tomb of Duke Sebastian Foscarinus. Upon it are inscribed these words: 'Hear, O ye Venetians! and I will tell you which is the best thing in the world; it is to contemn and despise riches. "-Foster. -
