The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1889-01-10

Coming into immediate contact with the
unsaved quickens our zeal and devotion.
Nothing so generates enthusiasm say,
as work itself. Instead of waiting till
the iron is hot before striking let us adopt
Cromwell's maxim and make the iron
hot by striking.
Let us throw ourselves afrcsh into the
work, therefore. Let us love it. This
season of the year charges us to redeem
the time. Remember that the Lord IS at
hand. What thou doest do quickly and
do it with thy might.
Let the coming year be one of greater
liberality. There are objects to which of
late some OF you have given generously,
and there are those among you who give
to every worthy object freely and with a
self-denying iberality. In all this you
have doubtless experienced the JOY ofgiv-
ing to the extent of sacrifice. But by a
little systematic forethought and con-
trivance begun at the opening and car
ried through the year, many might dou-
bic their contributions without at all
abridging their real snjoyments. The
adoption of the maxim II can do with
out it., might help some in this direction.
Only let not the savings hito get into the
treasure1y of the Lord. In this line OF
Christian service let all feel that they
have a part-those of small means as
we'll as those of large-the children as
well as the parents. While all strive how
much they can do, let all likewise strive
how much they can give during the COM
ing year. 1t is good time this to plan
for giving as we'll as doing. 1t so hap
pene that those who excel in the one are
likely to excel in the other. For just as
those who have too little faith to give,
have too little fervor to work, so the
hardest workers are usually the largest
givers. Let US plan then for larger and
more liberal things. God has made it
blessed to 1--WE when we give generously
and heartily. "There is that scattereth
and yet increaseth and there is that with.
holdeth more than is meat and it tendeth
to poverty"
Again let the year to come be one of in.
creased spirituality. Live so near to
God that whatever be the experiences Of
temption or sorrow through which you
have to pass you will be equal to every
emergency. Let your faith rise strong
and firm with every new experience Of
trial. Believe that all things are work
ing together for your good because you
love God. Give much time to prayer.
Let it never be a mere form. Always
realize it as an approach to the living
God, for some specific blessing and learn
to look for answers to..your prayers. Too
often, alas! we fail just here. Let the
word of God dwell in you richly. Make
daily progress heavenward. Be not sat
isfed with past experiences or present at
tainments. Forget the things behind
Press toward the goal of perfection in
Christ Jesus. AS a help to increased
spirituality read occasionally the biog-
raphy of some eminent Christian like
missionary Judson, or Gen. Havelock, or
Amos Lawrence or the late Lord Shafts
bury. You will gain inspiration from
lives like these. Read and pond er espe-
cially the life of our adorable Redeeme1
and grow with his ever-growlng life
You will learn nobleness' where Pau
learned it and where we all have to learn
it. Let Christ be "for1ned within you
the hope of glory"
Improve all the means ofgrace. 1fpos
sible be in your place at public worship
every Sabbath and don't forget the mid
week service. When you meet as friends
give the conversation a profitable turn
and talk of things for the edifcation o.
one another. See to it, if you are privi
legged to look back from the close of an
other year, that you have not all the in
hrmities of temper and character with
which you are now afflicted. Ask Coo
for large supplies of grace, whereby yor
shall be enabled to wage a good warfare
So may you be able to look back to ra
diant spots where you enjoyed seasons O
spiritual refreshing and where you gained
victories over enemies heretofore toe
strong for you. Happy indeed will be
the new year if its pathway is so bright
and its progress so clear that in the re
Prospect YOU can say ":Yonder there is
the grave where buried a long besetting
sin and that memorial stone marks the
place where 1 emptied my heart of its
miserable prejudices and that Sabbath
was the hilltop where embraced the
cross of Christ and was relieved of my
burden Of sin; and that communion sea
son was the mountain peak where
gained my first view of the land that is
| afar off and the King in His beauty"
Brethren and friends, it is blessed
thing to know Christ, whom to know
Alright is life eternal. It is blessed thing
| to feel that your soul is safe in His keep
ing,
l ask you, each one, have you this
blessed assurance? However much you
enjoy your friends or stay here, does
your heart leap at the prospect of meet.
ing your Redeemer in glory? Time, like a
rolling chariot, whose steeds- never tire
ard cannot be bridled, is hurrying us on
to the judgement. Before another year
rolls around some of you in all probable
ity, will be summoned into the presence
of your God. Are you ready for the sum-
mons? Let me join " 18th the brevity and
uncertainty of life in charging you to
watch and pray. Grid up your loins for
your high and solemn trust, for the COM
ing OF the Lord draweth nigh.
Come let us anew egr journey pursue,
Roll round with the year,
And never stand still till the Master APP
pear.
His adorable will let us gladly fulfill.
And oHr talents improve
By the patience OF hope and the labor of
love,