St. Paul daily globe., 1893-05-22
The Young Pastor Of the
Church Of Christ Strongly
DiScourseS
Upon the Saving Power of
God Battling With Man
kind.
Almost Is the Word Of Agrip-
pa, and Has Many Ap-
plieations.

cHurcn, SelecCeQ subject Ill harmony
with the Mills revival now being con-
Quoted in this city. and preached yes
terday morning on ''How to Become a
Christian" taking as his text. almost
thou perSuadest me to be Christian"
He said:
These are the words of King Agrippa
i'll response to all appeal from Chris
tfan preacher. One word omitted from
that reply would have changed both the
temporal and eternal destiny of the
king. The same word has barred out
many souls from the kingdom of Christ.
The adverb almost has time and again
bolted and barred the soul from the
mercy of God and sent the people away
from God into hopeleSSneSS and gloom.
Like many after him. Agrippa Wavered
between light. and darkness, happiness
and misery. hope and despair, life and
death. The opportunity came and i'm
pressed him with its Importance, but
mindful of his earthly estate, he for
felted his chance of salvation. 1t was
the crisis of his life, and his neglect
to so regard it brought ruin aud disaster
to his soul. Study this scene fro
life. A Judgment hall of the Caesars.
Into that place has come a King and
queen, and the nobility of that section.
Besides these there stands in that room
band of Roman soldiers, panopled in
all their armour. 1t is a notable occa-
sion. What could possibly have brought
so distinguished an assembly together?
Were they TO be entertained by De-
moStheneS Or ChryS0StOm, who with un-
rivaled eioquen"e would delight their
ears? Was it to witness the prowess of
some favorite gladiator or athlete? Was
it to hear some Skillful musician who by
voice or instrument would entrance
them bV sweet melodies? Nay! surpris-
ing as it may seem to us, they had as
sembled to hear faithful preacher of
and placed in jail through the proseeu-
tion and hatred of the Jews. Had he
not
Appealed to Caesar
the murderers of Jesus Christ would
have placed him where they placed the
Savior. Gov. Festus was not able or
did not care to understand the case.
His heart said, ''Release this man, for
he is servant of God" His pride said
that he must not surrender this man.
IlIllUCtIiD. iCSl liC OC
of by the Jews and lose his official sta
ton. At the governors request Paul is
brought into the presence of the king.
What must have been his thoughts?
Here he is, summoned to speak before
man whose ancestors were stained with
the blood of their fellow men. His
great grandfather had issued an edict
that resulted in the ruthless massacre
of babes; his father had caused James
to be beheaded: his uncle had
caused John the Baptist TO be
slain. How Paul's soul must
have been thrilled when he
realized he was to speak to a Herod. 1t
seems to me that the thought uppermost
in his mind was the winning Of this
monarch to Christ. La the eXultant
contemplation of so grand an achieve
ment his chains are momentarlly for
gotten. and he lives in the very presence
OF God. What shall be his theme? He
has the most brilliant assembly before
whom he has ever spoken. Will he not
choose some topic of the day in order to
win the attention of the monarch? That
is farthest from his thought. Filled
with love for Christ he determines to
preach of Him. The audience listens
with rapt attention while step by step
he leads them into the light of God. So
earnest does the preacher become that
the governor cries out. paul, thou are
beside thyself; much learning doth
make thee mad" That
shows What Impression
the sermon had on him. How is it with
AgrIppa? Moved by the almost super
natural power of the discourse the king
cries out, "A lmost thou persuadest me
to be Christian" You can readily
see what the preaching and teachings
of the apostles made persons. 1tdid
not usher them into sdctarianiSm.
These primitive preachers never asked
the people what church they would like
to Join, for there was but one true
church. They did not distinguish them
selves from other Christians by adding
either prefix or suffiX to the name. That
simple name designated them as fol-
lowers of Christ, not of different Sects.
You have in this story what is so fire.
ouentlv emphasized but little under
stood. That is the fact that il we are
saved at ali it will be through the
Word of God. The Gospel is
the power unto salvation, and
no person today is Christian, or rather,
they never became one without nearing
the Word of God. There is no positive
means of knowing we are saved unless
it is taught US from the Book of Books.
He that heard the sayings of Jesus and
did them was building upon rock
foundation. Faith in Jesus Christ and
obedience to His commands a.e essen
tial to one who would become a Chris
tian in the purest and best sense of the
word. Like mornings first sunbeam, a
ray OF light mOmentarily Illuminated
the soul of Agrippa and showed him
its tains. In the providence of God he
had faced the opportunity OF his life.
Yet it seemed as though something shut
out the light and precluded the posi-
bility of his submitting to Jesus. so
great privilege did Paul esteem it to
be Christian that he
Wishes His Entire Audience
to become such. His incarceration
troubles him not. Wearing this name
by the right it coufers no prison can
hold his soul, no shackleS bind his
spirit, no persecution daunt him. Hav'
ing received from God that power that
gives him and others greatness of soul,
he lived in the light of Gods presence,
and delighted in a foretaste of joys
awaiting his spirit. Do not be almost
but say am fully persuaded to become
Christian. Then will you have found
the highest and best sphere OF existence
then may you find that peace which
passeth all understanding. Many
people are spiritually in suct
| position as the man Wht
| last week met such a tragic
| fate in the waters of the Mississippi
! The young man who saw him fall from
! the bridge tried his utmost to save him
| He held on manfully until bis own life
was in danger. What an awful struggle
took place. Almost successful in his
efforts, he was compelled to loose his
hold of his companion and see hin
hurled to terrible death. So does the
| spirit of God through His Word seiZt
hold of your immortal soul and seek Il
save it from everlasting doom. Th'
time will come when the persuasive
power of Gods message will loose it
grasp of you, and the holy angels, you
kindred and friends weep and wall owe
the loss of your soul in time ant
eternity. 1t is yours to say whether O
not you will become. Christian. Tht
crisis is now. viii you be saved or per
| ish? Answer, and in answering know
that you are settling your immorta
| DESTINY