Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-05-29

seems to be number here who
might be profited by preaching.
Why the people of this place have
just heard of the wonderful miracle
[ wrought the other day in calling
back to life the widow Dorcas, who
had died. Now for me to leave,
when my fame as a preacher and
worker of miracles is being spread
over this place, it would indeed be
great injury if not calamity TO the
church."
All, no, lie offered no such pleas or
excuses as these for time in which to
consider the matter. Nor did he
hesitate on account of his stained
character lie might have said,
(Which however he did not) 81 will
wait before go forth as an apostle
to the Gentiles, and, by an exempla-
ry and holy life, strive TO regain my
reputation, at least in the eyes of my
brethren, since they were witnesses
of my sinfulness."
For dear friends, | suppose the
thought Of his denial and abandon
ment of the crucified Lord never was
out Of his mind for an hour.
Thus many, very many, are held
back from usefulness by fear lest
men should taumt them with their
former character. Many who are
real christians at heart, "who have
really been born again." whose
names are written in the Lambs
book of '1ilc never ending" above,
often hesitate 10 have their names
written in the church book below,
yes hesitate to cast IN their lot with
Gods people.
They say when approached on this
subject, "Oh, yes, | know it is my
duty to be associated with the Lords
people, it is far preferable to this
alienated mode of living, where you
feel there is no one to throw around
you their kind sympathy, nor mani
fest their christian and brotherly re-
gard for your welfare"
"Besides | know it is commanded
by our Lord Himself TO thus become
one of the members of that Body, of
which lie is the head"
"But yet, Notwithstanding all this,
| don't feel that l am fit subject, l
have acted in way unbecoming IA
professor Of religion, and people will
call me hypocrite and false pro-
fcssor, for they know well enough
the life | have led and am leading"
Nv 1nap frinn1 Nvhnnvnr NOu arc
that is acting thus, do you know you
are but confirming such an opinion
thus formed by the world, by acting
as you do? Come out loldly, once
for all, on the Lords side and prove
that although You have done wrong
and are doing wrong, yet by the
grace of God, You are determined,
with his assistance and the prayers
of His people, TO lead different life
from this time forward. No doubt,
like Peter, You feel that you have
been guilty of denying your Master
before men. Now like Peter, be a
man and allow your sinfulness no
longer to remain as a barrier between
you and the only source from which
you can derive needed strength and
resolution to live christian life.
Why if Peter had waited until he be-
came a perfect man before he should
again attempt to follow the Master
whom he publicly disowned with
curses, he never would have again at
tempted to preach. Then think of
the dreadful consequences mad he
thus failed to do his duty. That SER
mon on the day of Pentecost would
not have been delivered, and still
more fearful TO ihlnK OF those 5,OOO
precious universal souls converted
under that sermon might, and IN all
probability would have been lost,
and he would have had to appear i'll
Judgment win thelr Dlood resting
upon him. How dreadful the thought
Thus will the great Judge hold us
to an account for the good we might
have done as well as the wrong we
do while III TINS llte. Ii Drolher
III Christ has deserted a hundred
times that is no reason why he should
desist from lighting now.
Again the Apostle did not hesitate
to go to Caesarea on account OF his
ineXperience. 1t was the first time
Of his gong as a missionary to the
Gentiles, but he was courageous lie
knew God would assist INN III pre-
pairing sermon suited TO the occa'
sion as well as TO the people, a.