The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-02-08
THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
WIN Ar NaN Vra, R.n,. Sn.,a

Mr.. Moody Ensreats Those to Stop In
who Are Not Far From It-some
Bible Characters Who Were Near 1t.
Tho evangelistlc meeting in the
Rink last night WAS equally as inter
esting and instructive as any yet held.
The building was crowded to Its ut
most seating capacity. thereby insur-
Ing good attendance at the overflow
meeting. The regular song service
consisted OF the singing OF hymns Nos.
., =. 20. 1877. 81, |. and Nearer My God
to Thee" Saviour Hear Me-" was
sung as quartette.
Mr.. Sankey sang hymn No. l02 as a
colo. Prayers were made by Revs S.
NJ. Morgan and L. l.. Hubbard, when
Mr.. Moody read short scripture les-
son from the third chapter OF Pro
verbs.
Job II. Jackson then made tho an
nouncement that free will collection
would be taken up to night and on
Friday night. Tho reason OF this. SAID
he, was because a number of people
had sent contributions to him. and
surprising that some one else desired
to contribute toward defraylng the ex-
penses the collection would DO taken
to give such people an opportunity to
give.
Mr.. Moody then took as his text.
Thou art not far from the kingdom
OF God" Mark IL: 81.
lie said In part: In this chapter
there has been two attempts made
upon Christ to entrap HIM. The Phari'
| soes wanted to know to whom they
We're to pay their tribute. and the
Saducees questioned him about the
woman with seven husbands. They
did this that they might entrap him
with The Roman government, but lt
saw their hypocracy and sent them
away. having silenced both parties.
| Tho Seribes wore then forced to say
that what God said was well said
God then spoke tine words Of the text
| to them, Thou art not far from the
Kingdom of God"
81 believe there were many mon In
the days when Christ was upon this
earth, who Sere not far fl ON the king
dom. In one place in tho Bible this
phrase Is written. "fhe kingdom oil
God has come near you" also believe
that there are many men in Whining.
ton who are not far from the kingdom
J believe Gods spirit is lowering over
item, and this is clear indication
that great good will bo accomplished
Mans heart becomes harder aIC
harder every day, and this may 10 TIN
day that you ieel your need OF Christ
There uro only three steps down L
destruction, and they arc neglect, Il
refuse and to despise the Gospel o
Jesus Christ. There nro people her
tonight who have taken either one o
these steps. They didn't ton yeart
ago, but now they are on the bottom
round OF the ladder of lifo.
But frlenda, your icing near tn,
Kingdom of God is not going to keel
you, SO may Cod help you to step il
tonight. In eternity you will remem
Der these meetings and say. ''wh.
didn't stop into Gods Kingdom OIL
that night" God says all these thing
shall be remem bered. Now | want I,
talk to you about some bible charoo
ters, who We're near the Kingdom
The Pharises and Sadducees though
they were In the Kingdom, but were
farther away from it tnan tho sinners,
because they repentcd. Some churcl
members think they arc near tn
Kingdom, but they may be far from II
/ Many of the followers OF Jesu
Christ. who turned back, | believ
were very near tho kingdom and be
coming true disciples Judas, be
lieve was also near The Kingdom o
God. / don't believe he could witnes
all the miracles which Christ perform
ed during his three Years walk witt
Jesus Christ. But JUDAS, put 10 OF to
late. don't believe he forgot thos
DAYS, | suppose he said after h,
had sold the Saviour "oh that ha,
stepped into the kingdom when
walked with Jesus"
also believe that PLATE was very
near the Kingdom of God when Jesus
Christ crossed his path on that event
full day. When PLATE remarked, ..
find no fault in this man." it was
true sign that he WAS near God, bu
how much better 1t would have been
had he ordered his release. IL Thu
haI been done his name might hav,
been associated with that of JOSEPH
of Armithea. But God made them al
testify afterward that jesus Chris
WAS an Innocent man.
The centurion also. | believe, wal
near the Kingdom OF God when h,
said. Truly this Is the Son of God"
PLATE. like every sinner here, hat
Christ on hand to decide what to dc
with him. You must decide also.
PLATE tried to shift the res pousibility
upon Snnip one else after he had de
cided hut he coald not. That was Pl
late's golden opportunity, and had Ii,
only accepted that opportunity hi
might huve been in Glory. But HI
missed Heaven by that one step.
lheliN was also near the kingdom o.
God when Paul reasoned with him
Paul did not care about the imprlSOn
ment, but only wantod TO SEQ PnoiiS
converted. When Pnelix remarke 81
go thy way for this time, when | hav
a convenient season l will call 70
thee" he was near the kingdom o
God. but he neglected TO make tn
step.
One OF the subiimest scenes in Paul,
! life was when hs was bsfore KIM
Agr!ppa. When no told the king nov
! Christ had spoken to him while on tn
way to damascus, and compelled tn
: King to say, Almost thou persuades
me TO be Christian then he wa
near tho Kingdom Of God.
Agrippa was at the very threshol
OF entering the kingdom, and Their
are lust sucn men here to night. Oh
man, God help you to step in.
Now, what you are going to do will
jesus Christi AFRO you going TO rerus
the invitation or Will you accept Chris
and be one OF tho beacon lights in til
world to bring men unto Him, Beln
near tho kingdom won't help you, 20
must enter In before you arc save
Men arc dying suddenly all around Il
) who at one tine were very near tn
kingdom, but neg lGcted TO make tn
final step. Now, friends, why not Il
night. VIII you ever be nearer Go
. than you are now?
; Act upon Jhut good Impulse while
. you have ard sou Will mover regret il
1t coinoS from God. Don't let Satu
deceive you, but como Tonight. III
invitation was acce pied by many, an
the result Wus a number OF convBl
sion5.
! Rev. l.. L. Barrett then took chnrg
OF the prayer meeting, while the me
left to attend the prayer and expar
nunn EunhL Inn ANllnh NNm4 LnlI In llnl