The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1890-07-04

should not have loved the Redeemer.
Hard-hearted Felix trembled, proud
Nebuchadnezzar repented, and cruel
Manasseh turned unto the Lord, but
many nature, affectionate and gen
tie, has fought successfully against
divine influences. Many dove has
refused to come in the window of the
ark although finding no rest for the
sole of her foot.
Again, the history of Orpah impress
ses upon me the truth that there are
many who make good starting, but
after awhile change their minds and
turn back. When these three mourn
ers start from their home in Moab
there is as much probability that
Orpah will reach Bethlehem as that
her sister Ruth and her mother-in-
law, Naomi, will arrive there. But
while these continue in the journey
they commenced, Orpah after awhile
gets discouraged and turns back
This is the history Of many a soul.
Perhaps it was during revival of
religion they resolved upon Chris
tian life, and made preparations to
leave Moab. Before that they were
indifferent to the sanctuary, churches
were necessary evils. Tho minister
almost always preached poor sermons,
because they had not the heart to
hear them. They thought the bread
was not good because their appetite
was poor. Religion did very well
for mvalids and tue aged, but they
had no desire for it. Suddenly
change came upon their soul. They
found that something must be done
Every night there was thorn in their
pillow There was q gall in their
wine. They found that their pleas
ures were only false lights of swamp
that rise out of decay and death.
Losing their self-control they were
startled by their own prayer, "God
be merciful to me sinner" They
did not suspect it, but the Holy
Ghost was in their soul. Without
thinking what they were doing they
brushed the dust off their family
Bible. The ground did not feel as
firm under them nor did the mir seem
as bright. They tried to dam back
the flood of their emotions, but the
attempt failed, and they confessed
their anguish of soul before they
meant to. The secret was out. They
wanted to know what they must do
to be saved.
Alas! Alas! Starting out for heaven
is a very different thing from arriv-
ing there. Remember Lots wife.
She looked back with longing to the
place from which she came, and was
destroyed. Half way between Sodom
av,I N4x,< 10 -.
fstor'rn comes upon her, and its salt
and brimstone gather on her gar
ments until they are so stifiened she
cannot proceed, nor can she lie down,
because of this dreadful Wrapping
around her garments and limbs; and
long after her life has gone she still
stands there so covered up by the
strange storm :hGt she is called a
pillar of salt as some sailor on ships
III the wintry tempest stands covered
with mail of ice. Ten thousand
times ten thousand men have been
destroyed half way between Sodom
and the City of Refuge. Orpah
might as well never have started as
afterwards to turn back. Yet multi
tudes have walked in her footsteps.
Go among those the least Interested
in sacred things and you will find that
they were once out of the land of
Moab. Every one of them prayed
right heartily and studied their BIZ
bles; and frequented the sanctuary,
but Lots wife looked back wistfully
to Sodom. and Olpah retreated
from the company of Ruth and Naomi
1t is an impressive thought that af-
ter Orpah had gone so far as nc
tualiy to look over into the land of
Bethlehem she turned back and died
in Moab.
We talk about taking up the cross
and following Jesus, but that cross
is not half SO heavy as the burden
which the sinner carries. 1t isn very
solemn thing to be n Christian, but
it is more solemn thing not to be IL
Christian. There are multitudes
who, afraid Of the sclf-dcnials of the
Christian, rush into the harder self
denials OF the unbelicvcr No yoke
but Christ's, however tight and gall
ing! Orpah goes back to her idola-
tries, but she returns weeping; and all
who follcw her vii! find The same
sorrow. just i'll proportion as gos-
pei advantages have been numerous
will be the disturbance of the heart
that will not come to Christ.
Again: This subject teaches that
a religious choice and the want of it
frequently divide families. Ruth and
Orpah and Naomi were tenderly at
tached. They were all widows, and
their life had been consecrated by q
baptism of tears. In the fire of trial
their affections had been forged. To,
gether they were so pleasantly uni.
ted, you can hardly imagine them
separated. Yet fatal line is drawn
dividing them from each other, per
haps forever. Naomi cannot live il
n heather country. She must sc
into Bethlehem, that there among the
pious she may worship the true God
Ruth makes similar choice, but
Orpah rebels. "And they lifted up
their voice and wept again, and Or