PRESSING ON TOWARD THE GOAL.

CA verily, and I count all things to be loss for

YEA

the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death; if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I am pressing on, if so be that I may apprehend that for which also I was apprehended by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself yet to have apprehended: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I am pressing on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded; and, if in anything ye are otherwise minded, even this shall God reveal unto you: only, whereunto we have already attained, by that same rule let us walk.

PHILIPPIANS, chapter three.

PRESSING ON TOWARD THE GOAL.

For Young People.

This time we have something particularly for young people. Perhaps you would not think so in reading the Passage. It sounds as though written for older people. The words are not easy at times to understand. But what does it really say? Let

us see.

Ambition or Aspiration?

If you are full of life, you are ambitious; but better than ambition is aspiration. And the difference is great.

As we read history, we find that many great leaders were ambitious. They did not care for others. They thought only of themselves. If they could get power or wealth or fame for themselves, they were satisfied.

If we do not have an ideal in life, then we are only ambitious. For by aspiration we put a goal before us that is noble and generous. What was Paul's ideal? He suffered all things, and "pressed on " to reach the goal of a true disciple of Jesus. Paul wanted to excel in what? In doing good, in spreading the truth, in building churches, in giving the world the "good news." Some people will call that ambition. I call it aspiration.

How He Did It.

How did Paul do this? By "forgetting the things which are behind." What, you will say, by forgetting? Why that seems strange. No! Paul forgot all that tended to make him proud and self-satisfied. He did not rest in praise and vanity.

He felt that there was much to learn.

We say of a bright person: He is always studying and learning something new.

Mistakes.

Then Paul forgot or ceased to think too much of his mistakes or failures. Sometimes we get discouraged over our

we wished. Our Boys and girls, as

troubles. Our plans do not come out as studies are not perfect, our hopes are defeated. well as elders, understand this. We must not be down-hearted; and the way to be cheerful is to turn forward and do the best thing, which is

'To Press On.

Here comes in the help of an ideal. It gives us a purpose in life. No matter what comes, we stick to our purpose.

sun breaks through the clouds at last.

The

Have you seen a race for runners? They keep on for the goal. They press on. A trip or a stumble does not stop the race, or, if some applaud, the runners do not stop and bow their thanks. Steadily they "stretch forward" to the goal. Flattery.

I suppose flattery is one of the hindrances young people meet that tempts them off the course. How pleasant to be praised! But beware, young friends! Do not let it make you satisfied. Life is long to you, though short in reality. There are many years before you. Keep "pressing on." Have a high standard. Try to grow to it. Even the best friends will sometimes make the mistake of flattering you. Do not be induced to think the goal is won.

Or.

Or, quite the other way, you may receive hard criticism, which is unfair. Set this aside, also. Press on! Feeling sure of your noble purpose, be patient, persevering, and strong.

Ask your

How many times might Paul have given up in despair if he had listened to the voice of discouragement. teacher to tell you something of Paul's hard experiences. In prison, shipwrecked, persecuted, stoned, deserted by friends, still the apostle kept on his faithful way to the goal.

Apprehending.

Here is a word we must explain. Paul says, I want to apprehend that for which I was apprehended by Christ Jesus. It is all plain and easy.

Paul was converted to Christianity, and made to see what was right. He had light turned on to his own soul, so that he became a grander, better man. This light came from Jesus, and it stirred Paul to a new life.

Even as he was found and led out of darkness by Jesus, so he now wants to find out more about this wonderful light

that is in his Master. He was 66

apprehended" by Jesus and his gospel; and, in turn, he is striving to "apprehend " what that gospel means in all its fulness.

The Old Way.

That was true, also, of all those who were touched and taught by Jesus of old. They were made to feel and see life larger and better. Then they became disciples; and a “disciple" means one who is learning of the Great Teacher,— a follower and learner.

The old way is the new way, too. The spirit of Jesus

leads us to think of ourselves as children of God. Then we want to know all we can about our duties, our privileges, our blessings. After all, is there any greater goal than to be like Jesus? That was what Paul meant in this Passage. To be like Jesus is to have, so far as we can, his spirit of good will, his spirit of justice, his spirit of mercy.

HINTS FOR TEACHERS.

1. Make clear the difference between ambition and aspiration, between a personal greed and a generous aim.

2. Set forth strongly the goal of a Christ-like aspiration. 3. Draw illustrations of "pressing on " from life,—— running, sailing, riding.

4. Explain how we forget the disagreeable: it does not always pass from memory, but we can cease to dwell on it. In quarrels the motto is, Forgive and try to forget.

5. Unfold the great meaning of being apprehended and apprehending, discovered and discovering.

QUESTIONS FOR PUPILS.

What is the

Of what does the lesson make you think? goal of life? What goal did Paul refer to? What is ambition? What is aspiration? Are some ambitions downward? Is aspiration ever downward? What is an ideal? Do we sometimes call it a purpose in life? Can we forget what we choose? What stops us from "pressing on"? Can you tell when you are flattered? Which does more harm, flattery or blame?

I

CHRISTIAN AMBITION.

HAVE learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein

to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have 'I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want. I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, set your hearts on these things. The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, those things do.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

PHILIPPIANS, chapter four.