Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-03-03
TEMPERANCE COLUMN.
lcoSrarBUrKD BY rHE WoxES's TEMPERANCE UNION j


MY TEXT.
did not choose my text. My text chose
me, and would not let me 20. g Our Faith
er which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy
name. Thy kingdom come, Thy king
dom cOme.-thy Kingdom come,-thy king
dom come. l could get no farther till the
questions which rushed upon me. like
strong man armed. had been frankly met
and humbly answered. What right have
your lips to pray, "Thy kingdom come ?"
Think of your refusal to win a subject to
that kingdom this very day. because you
had not time to listen to the poor vaga-
bonds story, and had no gift for preaching
to that class of sinners; because YOU had no
interest in the inmates of that hovel. with
in stones throw Of your door; because
your ears were dull to the horror of that
vile oath coupled with the dear and sacred
name Of your King; because your heart
did not feel the sickening pain of dread at
the approach of that Keeling, drunken
mad-man-husband. father though he be
to his blighted home. Dare you say THY
kingdom come''-say it to God, the searcher
of hearts. when he sees your heart unmov-
ed. your hands unraised in effort for the
bringing of that kingdom in any place or
in any way, where your cultured taste
shrinks from accompanying you? Do not
think your duty as loyal subject is dis
charged when you lay generous bank
note upon the silver plate, with dainty
gloved hand. Are you anxious enough for
the coming of that kingdom to take your
humble charity with your own hands to
the poor soul, who hungers as much, aye
more, for sight of gentle, friendly face,
as for loaf Of your fresh, wholesome
bread? Are you longing so for the coming
of that kingdom that you will unselfshly lay
aside the delightful study. or the necessa-
~ work. to 60. even toiling, to the place
where the few faithful workers meet to pray
and confer concerning the best means of
advancing some department of that king
dom Will YOU bravely meet the question
when your conscience asks you to Join
hands with those who seek to help on the
kingdom by working and praying for the
Punishment of Intemperance? Or will you,
shrinking from the publicity which your
soul breads. put off your Kings behest
with the excuse that you have no desire for
that kind of prominence, that you cannot
endure to have your name tossed about
from lip to lip as a ranter and enthusiast
Better bear that reproach from weak hu-
man lips, than to feel the eye of Him
who seeth in secret, fixed in sad reproach
upon you for your mockery in PRAYING
Thy kingdom come" with your lips,
while your heart so feebly desires it, " 1t
is enough for the disciple that he be as his
master, and the servant as his lord. - - If
they have called the master of the house
Beelzebub. how much more shall they call
them Of his household ~ Fear them not
therefore, for there is nothing covered that
shall not be revealed
Will you, then, in your daily life and con-
yersation, IN your efforts for the further
ance Of Christian sobrietY, and Christian
charity, and Christian hope. and faith, in
lowly and wretched homes, Ire your desire
for the coming of that glad day when - \
King shall reign in righteousness, -" and
his people shall dwell in a peacesble habi-
tstion and in sure dwellings and in quiet
resting places?' And my soul answered
humbly, =" will. my Master :" " Thy
kingdom come Thy will be done 80 And
so had my text. And day by day as the
voice OF the nations utters it, my heart
responds, amen and my humble life and
feeble hands hold an honest purpose TO
make that PRAYER an honest one.