Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1892-05-11

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Lecture This Evening.
When Rev. \. c. Dixon, of Brooklyn,
N. Y, entered the pulpit ofthe First Bap-
tist church last evening he looked out
upon one of the largest audiences ever
assembled in Ashcvile.
Mr.. Dixon's sermon was the first ser
vice held in the auditorium of the new
church. The pcws had not been put in,
yet chairs made very comfortable substi-
tutes. The pulpit was decorated With
pottcd plants and wild flowers, while
over the interesting scene light was
shed by the large combination chandcl-
liers.
Mr.. Dixon was introduced by Rev. J..
l.. White. "He is no stranger" Mr..
White said. "for wherever l go in Ashe
vile find evidence of Ills good work
while pastor OF the church here"
Mr.. Dixon read as scripture lesson
Luke Il: Is "a, the parable OF the feast,
taking as his text he latter part of the
18th verse: "Come, for all things are
now ready"
"Since was here, ten years ago, "Mr.
Dixon said, "Many changes have been
made. There are changes in the peo
pie, in the streets, in the churches, in the
cemeteries But there has been no
change in the blessed gospel. 1t is jus. the
same, and love it better than ever.
Jesus broke up many funerals, but he
never broke up a least. lie invites us to
the feast. He is Il good caterer. The
mama from heaven is sweet. Peace has
been declared through Christ, and all we
hayc to do is accept the invitation.
What the unconvcrtcd man needs is to
know that peace is made for him it he
will accept it. II we refuse to accept this
i .viiation, it is our fault, and not God s.
You ought to Use every particle OF IN.
nucnce YOU have. But it we dc,cnd en-,
tircly on influence the devil will get us
because his influence is greater than that
of christian. We need something more
chan influence. Christ was not a man o
influence Nor was Paul a man of intlu
+ encc. When hear of a man of influence
III the church, | want to 90 back to the
L returns and investigate. There Is Il dit
Ference between influence aud power
p, There are many men of Influence III tit
church, because of their money, position
etc, but there are not 50 many men @
l power. Our salvation depends upoi
Christ but our power depends upon TIN
HOLY Spirit.
1--WE have the feast il we will just &c
ccpt it. We are servants sent out tt
invite those already invited. 1t is th
4 mission of the church to take the genera
invitation to the world and make i
] special to our brothers and ncighbors
Continue to tell of Christ until thl pee
pie hear and believe.
at is almost impossible to refuse t.
accept the invitation without telling
lie. There is lie in each of the excuse
offered to the master of the feast. On
thing bothcrs me, and that is the polite
ness of these fellows who offer excuse
for not accepting the invitation. llov
my heart aches when these polite fellow
make their excuses. nd expect som
arc right here tonight who have mad
their excuses to me. The most awtt
fact to me is that God will accept wit
U indignation these lying excuses. Yet ii
lovingly refuses to accept any rcaso
for not accepting the invitation.
"a 1--WE must go after men who will rccol
y nizc the need of salvation and come t
~ it. The Lord can love, no matter hoN
= ugly or unlovcly the object of His love,
Are you feasting now? Have 80
God in your heart? offer you the goo
L. old gospel Of Jesus Christ. Take it an
II keep it always"
MIR. Dixon is fluent speaker, of III
pulpit presence, and very favorably in
pressed the vast audience. At the clio:
lC of the service many Of the members
the church here under his ministratiol
pressed around the pulpit to shake h
hand
$ The singing was led Ivy splcnd
choir.
y. This evening Mr.. Dixon lectures in Il
church on MY this ana moths OF intld'
G. ity." One hundred seats have bccn |
~ served at 81 each. Tickets are on s.;
at !. n. Morgan's book store. rickc
for general admission are on sale
Grants and Raysor & Smiths drl
stores. The lecture begins at $50, al
it is expected that every scat will
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