The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1894-09-26

I lao 1AO OnO VI OASSOo gas WALL O S0h1
mon density of SO F., turning to steam
under q common atmospheric pressure
Of 2l2. He does not want chemical
lecture on water. He wants a rope.
Oh, my friends, the course of God
on the church, 1t seems to me, in this
day is metaphysics. We speak in an un'
known tongue in our Sabbath schools,
and in our religious assemblages, and in
our pulpits, and how can people be saved
unless they can understand US? We put
on our official gowns. and we think the
two silk balloons tapping at the elbows
of q preacher give him great sanctity.
The river ofGod's truth flows down be
fore US pure and clear as crystal, but we
take our theological stick and stir it up
and stir it up until you cannot see the
bottom. Oh, for the simplicity of Christ
| in sll our instructions-the simplicity he
practiced when, standing among the
people, he took a lily and said, '"There
| Is lesson of the manner will clothe
You," and, pointing to raven. said:
'sThere is lesson Of the way [ will feed
you. Consider the lilies-behold the
fowls"
I think often in our religious lnstruc.
tions We compsl the people to stay out
by our church architecture. People come
in, and they find things angular and cold
and stiff, and they go away never again
to come, when the church ought to be a
great home circle, everybody having a
hymnbook, giving half of it to the one
next him, every one who has a hand
ought TO shake hands, the church
architecture and the church surroundings
saying to the people, 'Come in and be
at home." Instead of that, think all
these surroundings often compel the peo'
pie to stay out.
Now, let US all repent of our sins and
begin on the other track, and by our
heartiness of affection and warmth OF
manner and inploration of the spirit OF
God compel the people to come IN. How
shall we lead sinners to accept the Lord
invitation? I think we must certainly
begin by holy life. We must be bet
Ter, men, better women, before We can
compel the people to come into the king.
dom of Jesus Chaist. There are fine
ESSAYS being written in this day about
science and religion, I tell you the best
argument in behalf of our holy Christi
anity-it is a good man, good woman,
life all consecrated to Christ, No IN
6deI can answer it. Oh. letus by holy
example compel the people to come IN!
I read of minister of the gospel who
was very fond of climbing among the
Swiss mountains. One day he was
climbing among very dangerous places
and thought himself all alone when he
heard voice beneath him say, Father,
look out for the safe path. I am follow.
ing,u and he looked back, and he saw
that he was climbing not only for him.
self, but climbing for his boy. Oh, let
US be sure and take the safe path! Our
children are following; our partners in
business are following; our nsighbors are
following, great multitude stepping
right on in our steps. Oh, be sure and
take the right path! Exhibit Christian
example, and 30 BY your godly walk
compel the people to come in.
I think there is work also in the way
of kindly admonltion. I do not believe
there Is q person in this house who, if
approached in a kindly and brotherlY
manner, would refuse to listea. If you
are rebufed, it is because you lack in
fact and common sense. But. oh, how
much effective work there is in the way
ofkindlY admonition! There are thous,
ands of men all around about you who
have never had onespersonsl invitation
TO the cross. Give that one invitation,
and you would bs surprised atthe alacl.
ty with which they would accept it.
1 have friend, a Christian physician
who one day became very anxious about
the salvation of a brother physician, and
so he left his Office, went down 70 this
mans Office and said. Is the doctore in?"
ssNo," replied She young man waiting;
'sthe doctor is not in.'' "Well," said
this physician, "when he comes, in, tell
him I called and give him my Christian
love-" This worldly doctor came home
after awhile, and the message was given
to him, and he said within himself,
ssWhat does he mean by leaving his
Christian love for me?D And he became
very much awakened and stirred in
spirit, and he said after awhile. "Why,
that man must mean my SOUL" and he
went into his back Office, knelt down and
began to pray, Then he took his hat
and went out to the Office of this Chris
tlan and said, ''What can do to be
saved?" and the two doctors knelt IN the
Office and commanded their souls to
God. All the means used in that cese
was only the voice of one good man say
ing, 'Give my Chrirtian love to the doc
tor" The voice Of kindly admonition.
Have you uttered it today? VIII you
utter it tomorrow? Will you utter it
now? Compel them to come in.
think there is great work also to
be done II the way Of prayer. IF We had
faith enough today, ve could 60 before
God and ask for the salvation of all the
people il our churches, and they would
all be saved, there and then, without
single exception. There might be pro-
fessional men there, political men there
worldly men there, men who had not
heard the gospel for 20 years men who
are preiudiced against the music, men
who are prejudiced against the church,
men who are prejudiced against God-I
do not care-theY might be brought in
by fervent praYer-you would compel
them to come N.
Oh, for such an earnest prayer! Peo-
pie of God, lay hold of the horns of the
altar now and supplicate the salvation Of
ali those who pit in the same pew with
you-yea, the redemption OF all who Sit
in your churches.
I tell you today, my friends, Of great
salvation. Do you understand what it
is to have Saviour? He took your
place. He bore your sins. He wept
your sorroWs. He is here now to save
your soul. A soldier, worn out in his
country's service, took to the violin as
a mode of earning his living. He was
found in the streets of Vienna playing
his violin. but after awhile his hand be-
came feeble and tremulous, and he could
no more make music. One day, while
he sat there weeping, man passed
sInnp and said. ssMy friend. YOU are too