Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1891-03-28
An Essay

hehu Dl MISS Iltlte hoSken DelCre tue Y. L. >,
C. f.. in the Primitive Methodist church in
this city, March 10, 1921.
As in the civil and social life, SO
also in the spiritual realm, there
comes a time when for the accom-.
pliShment of great results it is nee
cessary TO resort TO unusual methods
"God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders 70 perform"
Nineteen hundred years ago the
birth of "owly Nazarene" created
a revolution in the civil and relig
ious government of that time which
shook the whole civilized world
from center to circumference, and
gave idolatry a shock from which
it never has recovered. Later on in
the history Of the world when King
aud Pope seemed to be usurping the
power of the Divine Master, we
hear the voice OF a poor German
student, as standing in defiance of
Rome and Romanism he says in
tones of thunder: "Away with
superstition and prestcraft. Faith
in Christ is all that is necessary for
the salvation of the soul." At other
periods the work has been accom-
plished by poor plodding evangel-
lists, who have been willing to be
anything or nothing for Christ, aud
who, filled with divine love for the
Master, have presented his gospel
with simplicity and earuestness
which has been not only the means
of converting sinners, but has also
awakened the church to realization
of its duties. Thus history plainly
shows us how God is prepared for
every emergency, and his work is
accomplished not by might nor by
power by the Spirit Of the Lord OF
Hosts.
Ten years ago a series Of Sunday
School prayer meetings resulted in
the conversion Of many young peo
Pile. Then arose a problem which
had for years perplexed so many
pastors: How may these children
be best trained into strong Christian
characters? The children in all
their simplicity and sincerity had
given their hearts to Christ, and
now what could the church do tC
keep them into the fold? Th,
answer was simple: Put them t.
work for the Master TO whom they
have SO lately given themselves. i
the church does not keep them EN-
ployed Satan will, for he is eve
ready TO find some mischief for idl,
hands to do. The next question
was, "What can they do?" This il
the question which perplexed {
certain minister as day after day ht
pondered the matter over. A young
| man himself, his heart went on
with especial warmth, and they
rallied around him with enthusiasm
and true loyalty. He gave the mat
ter his most careful and prayerfu
attention. He did not believe tina
the Christ who at one time took th'
children in his arms and blessed
them saying, "Suffer little childreI
to come unto me and forbid then
not" and who as one OF his partln!
iniunctions to his disciples said
"Feed my lambs" would allow th'
children to go back into the cole
dark world Of night aud sin because
the church had no place for them
no work so simple that child nigh
perform it.
He called upon God in his day o
trouble, and it came to pass whlI'
he was yet speaking God heard ant
answered his prayer. The resuI
was the constitution OF the hrs
Y. p. 5. G. e. DO you, my friends
believe the answer to Dir. CIark'
prayer came from God? DO yo
believe that an organization whlci
enlists the sympathy of the mlnlstr.
and churches everywhere, can be .
any other than divine origin? 81
the work be Of man it Will come
nangbt but if it be of God ye car
not overthrow it," An organizltlo
which in ten years has grown iroI
one society with a membership 9
68 persons, to 5000 societies ioun
in the U. s., Canada, Ct. b, Au
tralia and all missionary lands, wlt
an aggregate membership OF
least 770,UOO persons, must
upheld by other than human powe
fhe society is found in about tt
same proportion in all the grei
evangelical denominations, an
; where it has been established II
longest it is most fully endorsed b
pastor and people. The motto
the society is, "For Christ and II
J Church. aud like the 5. ). althoug
g found in all denominations, y
2 each separate society is - son
local church aud is in no sense ou
side of that church.
One Of the chief aims OF u
society il the promotion Of the 4
= le.,,ahi, of vounO Christians. Wi