Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-04-21

the community. The sole reason Of weak
mess and inactivity in every church is that
the members neglect the prayer meeting
thinking that the prayer-meeting is not Of
much consequence, and that the church can
prosper about as well without. il the minis
ter Is energetic and brilliant Every
church Is very anxious to engage bril-.
liant and energetic minister, no matter
what the state Of the church IL. II the
members arc cold and indifferent and nrc
perfectly satisfied with themselves without
having any praycr.meotings nevertheless,
they cry out for an energetic and enthusias-
tic minister. They want one that is bold,
courageous, wcll.likcd by all men, one that
will manage the church without uuarrel-
ing with any Of the church members or
outsiders; one that is sound in doctrine
and will present 10 the people the truth ir-
respective OF anyOues opinions; one rtiuit
will be always at his post in time, standing
before the people full Of the Spirit having
his heart burning with zeal and cnhusi.
asfn. This is the kind of minister the
cold and Indifferent church wants, not be-
cause they may be revived, aud thcprnyer-
meeting established, but bccaurc it is
pleasant to listen to him, and they want
popular minister Their own interest Is
the only motive they have in calling such
man they never aek il he would like to
preach To a liicless charcli.
Fair play, my ( lends. Do you suppose
that an energetic and an enthusiastic min.
idcr would like 10 preach to church in
different and lifrlcss? church whose
prtycr-mceling is neglected almost entirely
10y the majority OF The mcmbcrs7 Let il
be known to you while YOU would enjoy the
preaching Of lively and active minister,
hc would also enjoy preaching to lively
ana active church. You would nntcnioy his
s,rvicc more than he would your ACTIVITY
1t is not Il surprising thing to sce a church
without pastor in low condition but is
Il surprising thing to see many members Of
the same church, after having the services
ol n certain minister turn TIE cold sloul-
der to him, when he aud n few faithful
members are putting forth special efforts to
build mp the cause at Christ. When thus
treated is IL reasonable To suppose that he
can work rs lie ought mud would like 10
work? Would he accept a call when cv-
cry attempt to bring the members to work
proves in vain? Christian friends, appeal
to your Consciencos. am can ambassador
for Christ and with his love in my heart
ann determined to be honest with vou and
discharg" my duty toward you. Ii vou de-
sire to engage the man yon want, and the
m IN Won need, Won must do vour duty. Won
must bear the cross. for unless Won do, the
man you want will have place elsewhere /;
| where all, or Mt least the majority Of the
members, will come and hold up his hands,
and the prayer meeting is the place for the
church TO hold up the hands OF the minis
| Ipp :. A l.
the activity of the church is best seem the
prayer-meeting is lifcgiven strength OF the
minister.
FEW THINGS WHICH ARE TO DE AVOIDED
IN BEAGIyG THE CROSS.
You are to avoid lcvity. Study the diff.
ference between levity and chcerfulness.
Religion condemns lcvily, but checrfulness
ism part of it. No man can afford TO be
cheerful unless he is christian. Who can
afford to be cheerful when they are at en-
nifty with God? Who can afford to be sad
aud downcast whose God is the Lord ?
| Cultivate cheerfulness, but beware Of levity
YOU ARE TO AVOID THE BELIEF THAT II
is RIGHT FOR YOU TO DE A MEMBER
OF ANY CHURCH WITHOUT BEAR
ING THE CROSS.
There is cross for everyone. You must
bear your own cross no one can bear it for
you. Remember that you are in the church
to work. The Lord wants workers and il
| Is your duty as christian to work in His
vineyard. DO you suppose that any far
mer or mechanic would employ a man il
he would not work? The Lord does not
want you unless you are willing 10 work
ABOVE ALL THINGS you ARE TO AVOID
|
Unbelief has done more harm in the
church than anything else. 1t has blinded
thousands OF christians. 1t has led then,
to say, without the least degree of shame
that they cannot speak and pray in public
This is nothing but unbelief, not tnd6iiity.
Unbelief is the sole reason why there
are 80 many inactive christians in the
church to-day. Christian friends cast ava,
this mbclief and be earnest and active il
the vineyard OF the Lord. Gear the eros
and you will wear the crown.
FEW THINGS YOr MUST PRACTICE IL BEAT,
ING THE CROSS.
II you want to be successful in bcarinf
the cross you must practice much religious
conversation. Practice il ut home, on YOU
way to the church, and let it be your oni
conversation on the Sabbath You are e
make yourself acquainted with prayer
Let your communion with God be sweet
Let the closet witness your tears. Let Coo
and the angels see you on your bendet
knees every day around the family alter
increasing daily in strength as christian
Unless you are often seen on hended kne,
in the praycr-mecting snpplicating th
Throne ol Grace, you are not bearing th,
cross. Do not he ashamed of Christ, le
the church and the world know that yol
are child of "the living God" Rea,
much Of yoar Bible, for if you prove faith
ful to lis teachings You will never fail I,
bear the cross. Read it in your leisnr
hours; when you are alone in the hous
turn to " the word Of God :" mediate upol
it; give heed to It's teachings; forget no
what ii says about putting on "the who'll
armor of God" Live near the cross, an,
bear inmind that YOU are not SIMPLY wrce
tling against flesh and blood, but ogains
prlncipallties and powers against the rll
ers OF the darkness of this world; agains
spiritual wickcdncss in high places. Neve
forget that you are to work out your Owl
salvation with fear and trembling Bca
these things in mini aud you will see how
: necessary it is that you shoald Gear n
cross.
, Have | said anything that is not true
Have | been tOo severe? | tell YOU m
friends, ! don't stand in the pulpit to tr1
with the lSpel. ! must preach it rs
find il in the word OF God, and must b
honest with you for | have to meet yoI
again in eternity.
, -,asaassIs.--ss.s-...--.--ur-
NEW ADVERTISE ENTS