Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-25
ALMOST PERSUADED.
Revival Meetings. At the Baptist Last Night
and Today.

and Today.
Not even for Saturday night were the
meetings, conducted by Rev. H. w. Hurl-
butt, adjourned. The devil is ever on the
alert; Gods people should be untiringly at
their post of duty Perhaps some poor
soul, weary of this worlds empty pleasure,
toll and sin might hear the voice of Jesus
on Saturday night and rejoice on the
morrow's Sabbath in the freedom of an
infant soul born into the kingdom. o!
how on the bright wings of Sabbath morn
would be lifted up towards its
be banished from the breast
The value of the Sabbath as day of rest
even the hardened culprit owns, its calm
to him how soothing, its quiet how CRATE
full, No rude or boisterous sounds, no i'm
Payments mercenary and distracting dis
turb its serenity, or oall him to unwel-
come tasks But how oft is he inclined to
enjoy its blessings with no thought of its
originator. how often does he feast on its
bounties without worshiping their giver.
But to the humble hearted follower of the
lowly Nazarene the hallowed memories of
the day of all most blessedn find vent in
prayer and hymns of praise. These fire.
quent His house and hold communion
there with him. The study of his word
by those of ripper years and loving instruc-
tons and illustrations to the lambs of
the flock or to those as yet unsayed-fnd
this their fitting season.
And if to the newly saved there be one
day above another which shonld awake in
their souls responsive thrills of gratitude
and Joy to Him who is their light of life
it is this day called by His name-the
Lords day. On this day how gladly they
dedicate themselves to His service, and in
His house do gladly take public vows of
constancy to Him who saved.
But who can tell what we owe to this
day. In grateful memory of its blessings
and its tendencies, and in distinction from
the season of revelry which it is made
abroad, it has been fondly named "Ameri-
cas- Sabbath" All well for the natiou's
veal if it ever so remain! Onr Sabbath is
the poor mans day, to him it is the couch
of time This day he calls no man master
but may yield loving service to one who
knew like temptations and toll, and in its
beauty and quiet gain strength for the
morrow's task.
The first chapter of John was read as the
scripture lesson, followed by most i'm
pressiye prayer invoking Gods blessing
upon the services of the day and evening
and upon the souls of those seeking the
Savior, and power and persuasion to lead
men to the truth. The hymn, 'Jesus
my cross have taken, all to leave and fol-
low Thee" The text was taken from
Acts 263S. Then Agrippa said unto Paul,
almost thou persuadest me to be a
Oh ,istian. Without preface the evangelist
began with the language of the text,
which the speaker said was the language
of repentant sinner. Agrippa felt it was
his duty to become a christian: almost
ready to give his heart to the Lord. But
he did not do it. There are tens of thous-
ands who today stand just where Agrippa
did. Almost persuaded. Some are just
ready to come forward to these front seats
and give their hearts to Christ. / once
knew man who even stepped out of his
seat into the aisle to come forward; then
stepped back again. What became of
Agrippa? Probably lost. Sinner, you
may be almost persuaded and yet alto
gether unpersuaded Agrippa had heard
but little of the gospel. You have heard
it day after day and year after year. The
millions of Bibles, the countless churches,
the Christian schools, the prayers of the
saved, the meetings in all the churches
day and night attest what is being done to
persuade you. When l give the invitation,
how many will come forward How many
will be fully persuaded? Almost a Chris
tan is but to be altogether sinner AL
most saved is but to be altogether lost.
VIII you be saved from sin, from woe,
from despair, and turn your eyes, lighted
up with blessed hope, to the Lamb that
taketh away the sin of the world. Do not
let those saddest words in the language
1T might have been"-be stamped on
your soul. Paul preached only once to
Agrippa. You have been preached to d
hundred times and yet you are not even
almost" persuaded, You say it is hard
to come now. | tell you that now is the
easiest time you will ever have in which
to repent May God in his infinite good
ness save you, my dear friends, and make
you fully persuaded.
During the singing of the hymn, cal
most persuaded now to believe" several
went forward, and the pastor, Rev. w. Z.
Harper, led in prayer.
Today's services will be as follows: Sun
rise prayer meeting; preaching at II a. m;
Sabbath school at 2:30 p. m; inquiry meet
ing at 6 p. m. and preaching at 7;30 p. IN.
At the conclusion of the forenoon services
the church will be open for reception of
members.