The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1892-06-24

| rlgglnRs spllced, pumps all working TO
keep her ahost, bulwarlrs knocked
away l see such a vessel coming
and get out my small boat and
push towards her, and shout: "Ahoy,
captain! What are you going to do
with those shivered timbers? That
was beautiful ship when you went
out, but you have ruined it." "Oh, "
says the captain 81 have fine cargo
on board, and by this round trip have
made ten fortunes" So l believe it
will be when when the Christian soul
at last comes into the harbor of
heaven. 1t will come bearing upon it
the marks of a great stress of weather.
You can see by the very looks of that
soul as 1T comes into glory that it
was driven by storm and dashed in
the hurricane; but by so much as the
voyage is rough, will the harbor be
blessed. IF We suffered with him on
earth, ye shall be gloritied with him in
heaven. Aim high. Do not be salts
fed to be like the Christians all around
about you. Be moro than they have
ever been for Christ. An old Arabian
king was showing a beautiful sword
that had been given him, when one
one of his courtiers said; This sword
is too short. You cannot do anything
with it." Said the kings son: ITO
a brave man no sword is too short. If
it be too short, take one step in adj
vance, and then it is long enough" So
say to any Christian who may feel
that he has poor weapons with which
to fight against sin and darkness and
death: Advance upon the enemy.
In the strength of Christ go forward
God is for you, and if God be for you,
who can be against you? Remember
that God never puts you in battle but
he gives you weapons with which to
fight"
My second word of counsel 10 thosN
who have recently entered upon Chris
tian life is: abstain from ali perntcions
associations; and take only those that
are useful and benefcent. Stay out of
all associations that would damage
your Christian character Take only
those associations that will help YOU
A learned man said: If l stay
with that man Fenelon any longer, l
shall get to be Christian in
spite of myself" In other words
there is mighty power in Christian
associations. Now, what kind of as
soclations shall we, as young Christians
seek after? think we ought to get in
company better than ourselves, never
going in company worse than ourselves.
If we get into company little better
than ourselves and there are ten people
in that company, ten chances to one
we will be bettered. If we get
into company little worse than our
selves, and there be ten people in that
company, ten chances 10 one we will be
made worse than we were before.
Now when young Christian enters
| the church, God does not ask him to re-
tire from the world. The anchorite
that lives on acorns is no nearer heaven
than the man who lives on partridge and
wild duck. Isolation is not demanded
by the Bible. A man may use the
world with the restriction of not abus-
ing it. But just as soon as you find
any surroundings pernicious to youl
spiritual interest, quit those associa.
tions. This remark is more especially
appropriate to the young. Now it is
impossible that the young anG
untrouble should seek theil
associations with those who
are aged and worn out
In this church there Is a large company
of young men and young women con
secrated to Christ. know of no better
people than they are. Young convert
| invite you into their friendship, Con
tact with them will elevate you
ALI hail, young followers of jesus
Christ, my joy and my pride! My
heart thrills at every step of your adj
vancement talked with you in tina
hour when you first tried to break from
sin, and now rejoice as | see you put
ting on the armor of a conflict in which
God will give you present and ever
lasting victory Stand off from al
evil associations. A man is no bette
than the company he keeps. Go among
those who are better than you are, ant
you will be made better. Go amonl
those who are worse than you arr
and yOu will be made worse.
Ny next word of counsel is that yOl
be actively employed. l see grea
many Christians with doubts and pei
plexities and they seem to be proud D
them. Their entire Christian life i
made up of gloom, and they seem t
cultivate that spiritual dependency
when will undertake to say that i
nine cases out OF ten spiritual despono
: ency is judgment of God upon idle
ness, Who are the happy people i
the church to-day? The busy people
Show me man who processes the re
ligion of Jesus Christ and is idle, and
will show you an unhappy man. Th
very first prescription that give to
| man when l find him full of doubts an
fears about his eternal interest is to g
, to work for God Ten Thousand voice
are lifted up asking for your help. G
| and help Here is wood full of sun
/ ner insects. An axeman goes int
{ the wood to cut firewood The insect
y do not botherh him very much, and ever
!. stroke of the ak makes them fly ava.
y But let man go and lie down thel