Daily Republican., 1886-02-26
Who 10 the Jonah ?
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p0intment as one Of the union meetings
lately drew to close. The house was
full, crowded with eager listeners, who
heard With bated breath the solemn
message delivered with all tho strenR 9Th
and tenderness that human heart can
feel. They heard. tits true, and the
spirit of God was there. undoubtedly,
moving on the face Of the waters, for
they felt as we'll as listened but when
the invitation was given TO rise for
pray ers, so few seemed ready. Their
conviction was not that strong kind
that we wanted that would make
them get mp with streaming eyes
faster than they could bs counted \
that, not content with that, would make
them rush forward to where the pastors
waited, crying out for all the help that
Gods people could give them.
Oh, for such q time to come! Must
this week pass and our meetings close
without the spirit having once been
present in mighty power? Oh, you who
feel, who are convicted, with whom the
Holy Ghost is striving,--help us, we
pray you! Already you can begin TO
do Gods work by not hiding his power
in you, by letting it all be- known.
Your example, your courage, may move
hundred others. Our cry from the
depths OF an agoniz I'd soul would shake
the gathered multitude as the very
power ofGod. Yon to whom God 10 ca l.
ing, are responsible with US. Oh make
way-mabe way-for the spirit of our
Godl Cast out the stumbling blocks
Help US TO find out and cast aside the
hindrance whatever it may be. He will
come, He will surely come il our hearts
are ready; the trouble is always In us;
God is never In fault; His word of
promise cannot fail.
at the meeting menticne lady said
In passing out, I" felt as though was
the Jonah; L was angry before / left
home;" and the one addressed started
and said, why, that is Just what L
was thinking OF all the evening. Ill
seemed as IL the whole trouble lay at
my door. hadn't feeling enough II
hadn't prayed enough; my bearL and
thoughts, 1t seemed to me, had been ali
day anything but what they should be-
What right had toexpect anything ?"
So doubtless others sat through the
meeting with the same sad question:
ings and searchings of heart, wonder
ing IL all the fault was not in them.
There were professors, it is true, who
| rose from their seats and went out with
the old, untouched and worldly faces, as
though the whole object Of the meeting
was forgotten the momen. the bene.
diction was pronounced, but their mum.
Der is nightly growing less more and
more the softened impress ,d this
solemn time is stealing into every
countenance; more and more the looks
and tones anu manners OF all who at
tend show that the rock within has
foo
world TO come are taking deep hold.
Some Of those who were the most care
absorbed and uninterested at first are
| now longing with us-with an Intense
longing, that cannot, must not be
denied-sor the full blessing to come.
AS night after night the question comes
10 every heart, what keeps it back?
They, too, go home humbly, and weep.
ing at the feet OF the Master ask sorrow.
fully, Lord, is 1t 1?
To this last meeting of the four weeks
| (Friday night) let Christians come with
/ full hearts and come fasting. just
once let US come together In the strength
of the meat on which Christ worked,
which was to do the will of his and our
Father. YOu cannot pray, you cannot
feel as you will want to, after indulging
In good supper, struggle as you may,
the mind will not be clear nor the heart
half in earnest. We must be In earnest
to night.
i We have got the members together
a vast throng; for once the church is
packed as 1t ought to be at every ser
vice; and be assured, all you who are
there tonight, just such feast of good
things is spread for you freely TO enjoy
every Sabbath If you will only come
, Now for the Holy Ghost to fall upon Us
all. Every heart needs it. Christians
are only half awake even yet, and on
the minds of the unconverted only the
} leaat little glimmering of light is dawn
! ing. Can we leave them so2
Who knows but that TO night He who
3 had compassion on the fainting multi
/ tude In the desert will say of these also
. ''They must not go away uufilled," anc
will send upon us the promise OF thu
: Father. Il.