Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1890-03-19
AMONG THE onvR ohEs.
PREsB YTERIAN.

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PREsB BYTERIAN. %5@l<s.s.
! The morning lesson was from Psalms
and Matthew xxi The theme, "Work in
the Lords Vineyard Matt. xxi:28
Not only the ministry and the officials of
the church, but the laity have the com.
mission or at least the call to work IN the
Masters Vineyard. There is occasion
for active, especial work now. There
are some dlscouragements to this vine.
yard work, therefore many of US say, Il
20 not" Our natural timidltY stands in
the way. But this can be overcome by
endeavor. The sinners indifference
stands in the way. But this very indif-
ference emphasizes our call to work.
Prayer)essness prevents US. But we are
not to pray any one into the kingdom.
We are to warn men; cry out to them of
danger. Divisions and co]dness in the
church stand in the way. Yes they do.
Sadly do we observe this. But we have
no record that our Lord excuses US from
duty toward the unsaved on this account.
Anyhow. Notwithstanding all these. "Son,
60 work today in my vineyard" There
are. however. encouragements. The sal
vation of our children and of our neigh
boris children is worth all it costs and all
our severest effort. The season and the
state of the work in the city are propi-
tious. The sympathies we share would
lead US out into active work in this vine
yard. Gratitude toward our benefactors,
those who have aided us in the erection
of this :;ew building reared for this pur-
pose, should encourage us and compel US
to labor actively in the Masters vineyard.
Gratitude to God for our own hopes and
peace and Inheritance should make it i'm
possible to refuse or neglect to labor &C
lively in the field. The happiness it
affords now and hereafter is patent en-
couragement to hearty labor herein.
At the evening service the theme and
textwere the same, ''Striye to enter in a:
the strait gate" This answers the ques-
ton, ''How much effort must put forth
of my own part to secure salvation?"
Our word strive does not give the full
force of the Masters injunction. He
used the Greek word from which we OBJ
tain our English word agony or agonlze,
agonidsesthai. There is some earnest
endeavor called for in securing salvation.
Flrst-1t is we'll for US to begin in child
hood or youth, if you prefer, to gain sal
vatlon. '.Ecclesiastes. ills, gives the
proper time of life IN which to get right
with God. Second By repentance and
confession Of sin we strive to enter into
eternal life. We can easily admit
having made mistakes, but when we are
called upon to renounce self to the ex
text demanded to gain Christ, it becomes
agonizlng. Third-To strive to enter in
at the strait gate is to thoroughly exam
inc the directions, and then also to fol-
low them. Gods word must be studied.
Our action must be based upon proper
principles. A hastv conclusion such as
this, God loves man and therefore will
save him, man need not fret" etc, is
disastrous. 1T was then shown from
scripture that though Jesus loved and
pitled Jerusalem until he could weep over
it, still it did not prevent his pronounc
ing upon it its woe. That when the
young lawyer came to Jesus to find out
what was in the wav of his salvation.
Jesus love for him (A'rhen Jesus hehold-
ing him, loved him." Mark 2l) could
reveal that one thing lacking but II cCuid
not take the place of that sacrifice II the
young man and save him anyhow. That
was the mans part of striving to enter
into life, and Jesus could not do that for
HIM much as he loved him. His gifts
and knowledge and attainments were ad.
mirable, but he already had these yet
came to Christ for more light. Natural
gifts and graces are beautiful and lovely,
but not saving; loveliness is not life,
morality is not religion" HE had great
POSSESSIONS They truly were great,
greater to him than the treasure in
heaven which Jesus promised him if he
would sell all he had and follow him. So,
instead of going away justified, he went