The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-02
SERMONS TO YOUNG AND OLD
Evangelist Mills Tells Why 1t Is Best to
Become Christians in Early Youth.
Tn the Evening He Addresses Meeting Of
Men Only, on the Consequences Of
Covering Up Their Sins.
rALKING TO THE YOUNG.


No Slavery Like sin. No Liberty Like That
of Christianity.
Mr.. Mills, the evangelist. conducted three
meetings yesterday. The first in the morning
at 1890 o'clock, when he preached to an audi
encs of women only, in the hall of the Young
Mems Christian Association, on the topic
which he afterwards developed ia like manner
in the evening meeting, when he addressed the
men
Scores of boys and girls responded to Evan
gelist MiIiss appeal yesterday afternoon. at
Tomlinson Hail. for those TO rise who wanted to
signify their intention of starting Christian
life. The meeting, which began at $50 o'clock,
was for young people only, yet the hall was
filed A majority, perhaps. OF those present, had
come directly from Sunday-school, and there had
been talked to in q manner to especially prepare
them for the Sc rvice to follow at the hall One
minister reported that about forty of his Sunday
school scholars had announced their intention
of becoming Christians at the close of the Sun
day-school services Another reported 100
other between 125 and 140, and still another
said that every scholar in his school had signi-
fled such an intention.
The exercises were opened with singing and
with prayer by Rev. r. v. Hunter. of the
Seventh Presbyterian Church. Mr.. Mills's ad-
dress was rather shorter than usual. His text
from Ecelesiastes xii, 1: Remember
4hy Creator in the days OF thy youth" By this
command was not meant merely TO acknowledge
God as the Creator. "Most of u.s." said he fare
willing to acknowledge God, but the command
means that are to remember God in the
sense of obeying Him. IL to forget
Him would be disobeying Him. That's the
reason you boys can't sin without forgetting God"
He III 70
why people should remember their Creator in the
days OF their youth. One was that it was the
only way in which they could shave good
time" Some people thought they were putting
away everything which would make them happy
when they became Christians. God never meant
that anything of that kind should happen. He
wanted them to put away only the things which
made them unhappy. The preacher
heard 4 young, who had lately been
converted, exclaim, IT wish some one
would &c out and tell young men what grand
thing it is to be Christian" and yet this young
man, before he was converted, thought he
would have to give up pleasure in order to be-
come Christian. Young men and young ladies
would never know what joy, and sunlight, and
peace there in this world until they had
given their hearts to God. There was no
slavery like sin and no liberty like that afforded
BY Christianity.
A second reason why one should become a
Christian in his youth was in order that he
might lead useful life. God pity the young
man or young woman who did not care whether
he led q useful life or not Grown people could
not be such useful Christians, because when a
man had attained certain age, certain habits
had grown upon him, and il was very hard for
him, even though he then became a Christian,
10 overcome habit. ~ would rather see
those boys coming TO Christ" said the
Mr.. Mills, -'than the business men of this town"
When man had reached middle age his days
fOf usefulness were limited, but the years of
service to God before the boy were three-score.
Pit was easy to become a Christian III youth,
before the soul had been burdened with sin.
God had told grown people that they were to
become little children in order to become
sChristians, but he had never told children that
Iney were 70 become as grown people. The
evangelist stated that ten years ago he had been
pastor of a church in Minnesota where large
number of children were converted IL a series of
meetings, and FIVE years ago he pastor OF a
church IN the East, whore at a series of meet
ings a large number of middle-aged men were
converted. Recent letters from these two
places showed that the boys had become active
Sunday school ana church workers and were q
power for good in the community. while at the
place in the East they could not get to
accept the superintendeney of the Sunday
school, and had 10 elect lady TO the position.
Va person should give his youth to Christ be-
cause there was peculiar influence emanating
from the young.
The evangelist remembered one occasion
when be had observed man at one of his meet
Sngs who appeared to be deeply interested. and
at the close of the first service he told one of the
church members to and invite the man to
stay for the after service. The member did So
but the man refused Another mem Der went
40 the man. who again refused. Then lady
went TO him, and he still declined. Then lit
tle girl went to him and taking him by the fin
ger asked him earnestly to go, and he went.
Then one of the greatest temperance workers
the evangelist had ever known was saved by his |
little daughter, who found him IN the gutter
and persuaded him to change his life.
The third reason why should become a |
Christian in his youth was because it the |
lV fIFoG. ha was afrPH ~
at ALL The history of the church showed that |
three-fourths of those who became Christians |
made the start before they were twenty years |
of age IL one did not come to Christ when he |
was young his heart gradually grew harder. |
The heart hardened like ice formed on body |
of water. There was a time when the film was
30 thin that one could break it by blowing his |
breath upon it, then it grew firm that he |
could not break it with his hand, and at last |
1t had grown so thick that he could not break
by stampin on it. A hermit was once talking |
TO young man and trying to persuade him to /
be Christian, when the latter said: mo. I
will wait till 1t comes easier" "Comes Aasier!"
said the hermit at will never become easier"
The young man, however refused to be con-
WINGED, but at last the hermit told him he would
told him. He took and piled the young
mans back about all the load that he could
carry. and then asked him to rise up, which the
latter did with great difficulty.
''How is THAR the hermit asked.
Its about all l can carry said the young
man painfully.
w Gil Wait moment, ana III MAKE IL cas-
err" said the hermit. and he proceeded TO lay on
tlot more twigs and brush. "How is thatl' he
teen asked.
why. can hardly lift it," said the young
man.
Just wait, them" said the hermit, land I'll
mike IL easier" and he proceeded to pile on
more tWlSs, ana then the young man was unable
60 Eee
There" said the hermit, ''that's the way you
will find IL will be in giving your heart to God
The longer yon carry the burden of sins the |
harder il will get 1t will never grow lighter.
Il is easier to-day to repent of your sins than il
ever will be again"
A young man or young lady was running a
great risk every time he she was offered an
opportunity 10 become Christian and failed 90
accept it No one yet had ever known when his
asst opportunity had come. AT tho conclusion
If his exhortation Mr.. Mills invited every one 4
present TO remain TO the after meeting. and es-
'eeialiy those who had signified their intention
Il A H..