The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-01
caRIsr1AN1zINa THE HEATHaN.
Rev. DR.. W. a. Potter's Sermon at
Trinity Methodist Church.

Rev. Or. W. a. Potter's Sermon at
Trinity Methodist Church
Rev. W. II. Potter. d. D., Of Nashville,
Tenn, secretary Of the board Of foreign
missions Of the general conference Of the
Methodist church, preached an eloquent
and stirring sermon to large congregation
/ at Trinity Methodist Episcopal church yes
/ terday morning.
His text was taken from the last chapter
Of the gospel according TO st. Matthew:
go We therefore and teach all nations
bsptizing them in the name Of the Father
ana OF the Son, and of the Holy Ghost"
This command, DR.. Potter said, given to
handful of followers Just before the Lords
ascension. confronts now 120, 000 900 people
who are enrolled under the Christian ban
ner.
During the last forty DAYS that the Son
Of Man was on earth this injunction and
command was repeatedly and solemnly laid
upon them to the exclusion of everything
else. They were reminded of no other duty.
All else seems to have faded from his vision
The obstacles and difficulties In the way of
the work OF evaugeliziuz the nations Of the
earth are as nothing now compared to those
that confronted the band of 100. IL they
entered into the work with faith and zeal.
how much more readily and zealously ought
we now 70 endeavor to do so, not only
by cheerful and liberal contributions
to the cause, but by personal work as well.
Our loyalty to God demands that We do
this A loyal son not only obeys his fathers
commands, but tries TO anticipate his
wishes This is not a suggestion on the part
of Our Father, but one Of his most direct
and solemn commands. In this enlightened
and civil zed country. if person desires to
know God and to learn of the life eternal.
be can always find some one to instruct him.
But In the dark lands of the heather there
are thousands who have no knowledge OF
our God and Of his infinite compassion and
love.
1t is our duty, the duty OF every Chris
tian in the land, to help roll away the dark
clouds Of ignorance and barbarism that en-
velop these poor people and teach them Of
the blessings OF Christianity and civiliza-
ton. that the glorious sunlight OF Fathers
mercy and love may penetrate into and
brighten their lives.
Speaking Of excuses that are advanced
for backwardness in personally advancing
this work DR.. Potter cited by way of illus
tration the case of a father who
instructed his son to get a certain
deed on the following morning and
carry it to the clerks Office
and have it recorded before 70 o'clock. He
repeated this order several times. emphasiz-
ing the fact that it must be carried to the
ONCE before IL O'CLOCK. Inc next night he
asked il the matter had been attended TO-
The son answered that he had started on the
errand. but that he had, in passing his
fathers place. seen the fence down and lot
Of cattle destroying his fine field of corn. He
stopped to drive them out, and by the time
he had succeeded in SO doing it was too late
to carry out his fathers instructions.
"Om said the father Sin saving that
miserable field of corn you have lost me the
title to the land"
So it will be with u.s. Unless we spread
and publish the gospel our title to heaven
will become void. Loyalty to Christ in
this matter does not require us to be fanat-
icll but to 60 about it in good faith. It
is It good faith to spend millions at home
for our own increased comfort and enlght-
eminent while we only spend hundreds in
carrying the gospel to those VINO have no
knowledge of it.
In conclusion he urged upon them to re-
gard this the Savior's command-and one
that he repeated four times under different
circumstances-with a proper conception of
its impressive solemnity and its earnest,
nay, even its stern tone of adjuration. The
speaker said he was not appealing to the
emotions, but only to the mind and con-
slcence.
DR.. Potter preached to good congrega-
ton at Wesley church at night on the same
theme. DR.. Potter lie very forcibe and
impressive speaker. He Is now making a
tour Of the southern cities, endeavoring to
stir the people up to proper realization of
the Importance of the foreign missions and
levying contributions for the cause. He
leaves the citV early this morning