The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-08-22
RELIGIOUS READING.
LIGHT THROUGH CONFESSION.

In large city noticed an old man who
had remained through the. first and second
meetings, and was standing as though ne
were hesitating whether to leave the room or
to tarry In order to confer with others. !
asked gentleman who was then my asso-
ciate to speak to him, and, approaching him,
he said: ''My friend, are you Christianr
The old man said, mo, sir. am not
Christian; but 1 want to be. have been
trying all my life to find out how to be
Christian, but have not been able to receive
any satisfaction in connection with my en-
deavors in that respect. I have beeh to
church all my life. and read the Bible. have
attended meetings like these. and yet have
received no light as to what need to do In
order to be Christian. When Mr.. Moody
was here. several years ago, I attended al
most all of his meetings., and talked with
him and others personally, and when the
meetings were done l was as far away as
ever. Now don't suppose it is Of any use,
but would be very glad if you would tell
me what need to do in order that might
become Christian"
My friend said to him: "Have you ever
confessed Christ with your lips?"
The old man said: mo, I was waiting
to become Christian before I should do
that"
NV friend said to him: "That is just the
way W DCCohO Il ohu HuOsSu -
passage upon that point from the tenth chap
ter of Romans, and said: ~ believe you need
to commence tonight with an open acknowl-
edgment Of Christ as your Master"
The old man said: 1T is too late to do It
tonight, for the service has heen dismissed"
My friend looked about tue room, where
there may have been ten persons tarrying,
and said: Suppose you confess Christ TO
these people who are now In this room?'
fko- 81, hnnt& 70
walked down the room and held out his hand
to gentleman whom he knew, and said:
mir. W, I want to confess Christ toyou,
and then went 10 others and said practically
the same thing. think was the last one
to whom he spoke that night, and told him
not to let the adversary make him think that
he had not commenced TIE Christian life that
night, but to count the matter settled, and to
think of himself as follower OF Christ
The next morning. when I came in to the
ten o'clock service, the old gentleman was
seated in the front seat. and with him was
another man about Is years of age. The first
man came to me, and said:
'I have brought friend to meeting this
morning. He Is little hard OF hearing.
Will you please speak out so that he can hear,
and be sure to say something about confess
ing Christi"
said to him:
HAS the light come to you?"
And he said
"Yes, and I want my friend here to confess
Christ, too."
Before the day had done the second old
man had risen In the meeting to express his
intention of being follower Of Christ, and
after that 1t was Joy to see the two old men,
side by side. with their faces beaming with
the satisfaction that was brought to them by
their new life I believe that what God puts
first we need to put first also, and that there
ia no greater aid to the faith Of one who
wouIdb be disciple than open acknowledg..
ment Of his first Intention to be follower OF
Christ-B. Fay Mills, in Golden Rule.