West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1883-09-12

was for this purpose that the Son
Of God came into the world.
"God SO loved the world that he
gave his only begotten Son, that
lrhosoerer believeth in him should
not perish but have everlasting
life"
1t was for this our glorifed Re-
deemer sent the Holy Spirit into
the world to convince men of sin,
Of righteousness and of judgment,
and lead the convicted sinner to
Christ for salvation.
1t was for this that the Church
was organized that it might hold
up Christ and rescue the perish
ing.
Dear sisters, we must never turn
aside from this great work of saw
ing souls. If we do we are not
working with Him, and being I'M
faithful to Him, and disloyal to
His Son, we cannot look TO Him for
His blessing. And is it not written
in His holy Word, "Without me
We can do nothing"
1t will never be known until the
books shall be opened what good
has been accomplished by our own
dear Railroad Evangelist, Sister
Jennie Smith. Dear Sister! Let US
help her by our prayers, contribu-
tions, encouragement, and by d.
rect personal effort to save souls
in the various spheres of life in
which we move.
"AsK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE"
In conclusion permit me to make
few practical suggestions as to
what seems to me to be the best
methods of advancing the inter-
est of our State organization.
1. Let each local Union do every
thing possible to increase its own
mem bership and usefulness.
There is great fact in the
workings of everyday life which
we should not fail to improve. 1t
is often overlooked and neglected,
but want to hold it up to you to-
day as great power to be util-
lied in our work. 1t is this. Peo-
pie will do certain thugs if you
ask them, which otherwise they
would not do. A friend will visit
you if you give him a warm press
ing invitation, when otherwise in
the press and care of business, he
might defer it for months. People
will go to church if you ask them
to go with you, when otherwise
they would have stayed at home,
perhaps to read some worthless
novel. Now this principle applies
to our work. People will come to
our meeting if you ask them. They
will subscribe for our papers if you
ask them. and many will join our
Union if you ask them.
There are some in our Societies
who are not found among its ener-
getic, untiring workers, but [ am
sure that these would work if you
were to ask them. They are diff
dent, they are backward, they are
waiting to be asked. Oh my sis
tiers, do not forget that in social
life, in the churches, in Sunday
Schools, in temperance organiza-
tions, there are hundreds and thou
sands who will work if you ask
them. Ask and We shall receive, is
a principle which has human as
well as Divine aspect. They that ask
receive from man as well as from
God. They that seek find.
This is most impressively Illus
trated in the parable of the poor
widow and the unjust judge. She
asked a Judge who did not fear
God nor regard man, to interfere
bet ween her and her adversary,
and be did, because she asked him,
He did not do it the first time, nor
the second time, nor the third time
she asked him, but she asked him
again and again, and at last he
said, | will do it because she troub-
leth me; that is, she asked him, and
this is the object Of the parable to
teach that we should, always pray,
ask, and not faint. l have another
practical suggestion to make to
you. Let the formation of Unions
be one of the distinctive features of
our work the coming year, and in
tbio xuorL do MT forrat tho chill