St. Landry democrat., 1889-10-05
To Young Christians.

/ GU nave changed nldSteTS uo GloS
that bound you to Satan and his service
have been severed. Christ is now the cap
tain of your salvation. Your life should
conform to these facts. You have both in
word and by action caused breach be-
tween you and the evil one; there is now
gulf fixed which you must bridge before
you can go back into his service. You
have come out on the Lords side, and
should, therefore, no longer be found on
Satan's ground not by any one, either
saint or sinner, not by yourself. All things
are naked and open before the eyes of him
with whom we have to do !; therefore, you
should not dwell on unholy ground in
thought, where the church or world can
not see you, but where God can.
YOU should not only keep clear of Satan's
Territory, but live right on the Lords side.
Do not sit down in the kingdom and hold
your hands and let others bear the heat
and burden of the day. There is work for
the Lord for every Christian to do, and if
you cancot do your part it will never be
done. 1t can't be done by another, because
all others have their own parts to per-
form. You cannot attend to the pastors
duties, although many supplemented peo-
pie try to see to it that the preacher keeps
straight, whether they do or not and they
are the first to complain and find fault, if
things do not go according to their way of
thinking. 1t would be right interesting
sometimes if pastor and layman could
swap work. No, you can't do the pastors
work you can't attend to the duties of any
one else You can do your own duty, if
you will. Will you? God expects it OF
= you Jesus, who bought you with price,
even his own precious blood, expects you
to be active in his service. The pastor
. nor any one else can do your work for you.
There are now personal obligations be-
tween you and your God that you, and you
only, can perform. Will you not, for
Christs sake, at a. throne of grace in prayer
pray, "Lord, whes.wilt thou have me to
do2" AS he impresses you with duty,
edo with thy might what thy hands find
to do"
Do not complain and find fault. 1t does
no good it INJURIES the cause. The reason
so many Christians are wrong to-day is
because when young they either found
fault or listened to others who did, and
stood aloof when they should have become
active in the service of God. 1t has been
said that an idle brain is the DEVILS work
shop. If you are not working for Goo
and his glory, Satan has some dirty work
for you to do, and he will put you at it.
Instead of watching your pastor or the
leading members of the church to find
fault with them, praise them for the good
they may have done. Many an overworkeo
.ypastor is discouraged because he does not
know whether his labors are appreciated
because the church does not pray for him
or co. operate with him in what he is en-
deavoring to do for the Master. He knows
IL. however, If some are displeased anc
are saving in his absence what they would
not dare say in his presence. Bad news
trayeles on rapid wings, while good news
is disposed to stay at home. Praise you
deacons for the good they have done, ane
perhaps they will be more efficient in thu
solemn and responsible duties to which
/. they have been set apart by prayer and thu
laying on of hands, according to the Scrip
b lures. Many deacon would look aftel
the material interests of the church If the,
had more cooperation on the part of thu
church, and especially the young members
This plan is well thought of by thu
writer. and is therefore submitted here
do your whole duty as Christian your
self, and perhaps the objections you hav'
to others will vanish if not, you will b.
m better condition to admonish in per
son, which is far better than criticism
fault finding.
Now, finally, young Christians, be de
yout towards God; be truly pious, no
hypocritically SO. but in deed and il
truth. Be in earnest; be Jealous an.
warm in the cause. of our Redeemer. l
things seem dark, light them up t with tn II
unfaithfu1, provoke them to good Work
with your own good works. Be faithful hiad
Speak gentle word instead of hars
one. A gentle, kind word draws towar
Won. but harsh, unkind one, though J
be true, drives people from you. M
heart is warm and full of love and admo
milton for young Christians, and If this 81
fort is appreciated, ! promise you MOI
anon.-G. B. r. IN The Christian Vssato'