Wichita eagle., 1888-04-03
CROSSING THE RUBICoN.
Rev. II. W. Hurlbutt Las: Night at.the Baptist
Church.


The services on Sunday revealed the fact
that the church is far too small to accom-
modate the crowds that desire to worship
there. On Sabbath afternoon portion of
those who have been converted in these re-
vivals offered themselves for church mem
bership and eighteen were received for
baptism. In the evening many were oblig-
ed to go away unable to gain an en-
trance, but the evangelist preached pow
erful sermon making deep impression
on the minds of his hearers.
In the opening remarks the speaker
urged the great and pressing need OF faith
On the part of christians united with
greater conservation, strong crying and
tears. A critical period in the meeting,
q crisis in the lives Of manyis now at hand.
Some, there are even many now almost
entering the kingdom. Should the meet
ing now close and they not saved the
strong probabilities are that their action
is final. After further appeals the evange-
list announced the text, Josh. "a, XIV,
Choose ye this day whom We shall serve"
The speaker dweh upon the fact that
some choice must be made-cannot, in
fact. be escaped. There is ever before us
the other, either eagerly Or passively
The result so far as evil is
concerned matters little. Evil is
degrading and that continually.
Good on the contrary in order to be
vitalizing power, an effective moving force
must be desired, sought and eagerly
grasped.
The nature and necessity of decision Of
character was illustrated by the familiar
yet ever forceful illustration of Cesar
crossing the Rubicon. AS the commander
of the imperial forces OF proud and
naughty Rome, Cesar had been sent to
the defense Of her provinces and the sub
jugation Of barbarian hordes. During his
absence his rival and his foe, Pompey
secures from the senate an edict subordinat-
ing the army to other arms Of government
and robbing the commander of half his
powers. But Caesar aimed at dominion.
Furthermore, he possessed the qualities
of mind and character adopted
to secure it. His soldiers
loved him; an eager populace admired
him, but above all stern infexible pur
pose moved him. He took no hasty action,
but when taken that action was final.
Il
eventful night he paced restlessly and
alone, the rugged banks of the Rubicon;
but with the morning light new purpose
came into his soul and squirting his steed
into the rushing waters he sends back to
his eager soldiers the startling cry: "The
die Is cast to Rome or deathn'
On that decision rested the future fame
and glory of the crown Of the Caesars.
Likewise every unrepentant soul has a
crown and a kingdom to gain. Not the
perishable imperial crown of Rome now
known only in history, but one forever
fair and bright.
The fact that in spiritual things we may
not fully know the decisive point, while
we do know fully our duty, was pointed
out, and the consequent dangers shown.
shown. Every man finds one supreme
moment, whether at the instant recog-
nized or not, in which all circumstances
conspire to draw him Heavenward. If
then he boldly says Il WILL" his course
is thereafter ever upward. The decisive
point is when we decide to reject forever
either God or the devil. Usually this is
when some awful, heavy sense of sin
weighs us down. When we yield this
oppression is displaced by the sweet and
abiding sense of pardoned sin. If still
rebellious, each unrepentant sinner shall
beyond the Rubicon of death meet an
avenging God.
Now while we sing No. 800, ~ hear the
come Of Jesus, and to His cross l fly"
you will have chance to decide What |
will be your decision? God will make |
record or what you do tonight. How do |
you want it made? You must decide to-
night. My spirit shall not always strive |
with man." says God. To some of you in
this house the spirit may have come the |
last time. God grant that you may decide |
Alright.
After the singing and conference meet |
ing in which a large number took part, |
several went forward to the front seats |
seeking to cross to the safe side of the |
line.
Prayer meeting at $50 this morning, |
singing meeting at 6:30 and preaching at |
$50 p. IN.