Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-07-27


teachers, in view of this fact a great: OPP
portunlty Is open To you. The Sunday
school is the great nursery OF the rising
gener lion, and il depends very much mp
on the care and direction ~ The plant wbas
The fruit will be. believe that if teacher.
parent and AL would give their undivided
attention and united rfforts to the prOpa-
cation OF the Sundey school, that the next
quarter OF "A century Will witness Il mar
velous change in morality. and the demon
a'cohol Will ne throitlcd Christian teach.
crs, let us he earnest in pressing our cause
and In winning men Ia Christ. The world
may pronounce us foolish, but we are
wisely guided aud sustained While John
Nassau was liquor seller no one thought
ne was fanatic IN pre- sSing his business,
but when he became Christian and his
one thought was tn win men 10 Christ
they pronounced him fool The politi-
elan who talks nothing hut politics, the
lawyer whose mind is absorbed by law.
The merchant who thinks Of little besides
merchandise, each is commended by the
world; but let the Christian have the
same burning zeal and personal ambition
to win souls for Christ. aud make that
prominent, and he is put down AS n fa-
natc May we be actuated bv God 10 fill
our churches and Sunday schools with
just such fanatcal men AID women who
are o ashamed 10 carry their hope aud
the promise on which it is based into any
circle. ami contend for the faith and VIC
tory once for all delivered 10 the saints
In conclusion ] wish to re ate an untrue
story based on that one that is true Many
years ago there lived in the southern part
of Spain young lady aud gentlemen
who, after several years of acquaintance,
and association became engaged 10 he
married The time was DR. wing near
when the contamination Of all their hopes
and aspirations should be fully realized.
ln the meantime cry came from the east
for soldiers 10 fight in the Christian wars.
Accordingly, he enlisted in the war, to
fight The battles of his native land and
then TO return in peace. As he was about
10 depart serious question arose to item,
in regard TO the safety of his return. In
these countries violent storms frequent
the coasts, and many rocks lie near the
surface Of the water: so that 1t is ex-
ceedngly dangerous 10 return by night.
Consequently she promised him that every
night nj sunset she would cause fire 10
be built on the beach, to guide him TO
the haven IN safety should he return by
night He went 10 the war and helped
fight the battles OF his native land, then
started for his home. As he neared the
shore he babe the captain. VIII was aware
Of the danger, 10 watch for the promised
light. Away in the istancc amid the
roaring storm and mrid lightning could
be seen the promised Ugh. which had
been built by the faithful friend, and
which guided him to the harbor in safety
Many, many years ago there was prom
I'll. nd hot IL
vision was literally fulfilled nearly nine
teen hundred years ago. by the birth of
"a savior and the dawn of the Christian
era. That light has never gone out; but
that small beginning has grown from time
10 time and has been spreading MS llnm-
mating Influences to every nation in this
world One branch was carried 10y Paul,
another taken into ASA Minor. one in
Greece. and others in various and remote
parts Of the world The fire was resur-
rected and revived by Martin Luther IN
the promulgating Of Protestanism Ii
was famed into flame by the Wes-
lcys and Whitcheld, in the founding Of
the great Methodist church A spark
was started at Gloucester England by
Robert Rakes and its light has been
increasing from time 10 time until today
it shines with undImmed splendor all
over our land The empire Of Caesar is
gone; The legions of Rome are mould
ering in the dust; the pyramids. the
PRIDE Of the Pharohs. are sinking every
day in the desert sands But this fire
continues To burn Men have attempted
TO put out this fire, bat they have only
famed II into greater proportions; ira
ditlon has dug for it many grave; inlol
erance has lighted for it many fagot;
many Judas has betrayed it with a kiss;
many Peter has denied ii with an oath;
hut it only proves that il is The enduring
monument of God which shneth INTO
the perfect day. Fellow Sunday school
workers let us apply this tn wherever
vice wickeduess, aud unrIghteo sness are
found 80 ,Aat IT will hrr' out all The
dross and at the Master : ming peace.
righteousness and love shall prevail AS full
" rs do the waters that cover the sea.