The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-11-12
EARNEST PLEAS.
solicitude for Souls o Christian Duty and
solioitude for the Physical Comfort Of
the Poor a Necessary Adjunct.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

: Morning theme: "Solicitude for
Souls" Text. Acts &c 30, "And Paul
said, | would to God that not only
thou but also all that hear me this day
were both almost and altogether such as
| am except these bonds" And yet the
apostle was a prisoner when he uttered
these words. Beside him stood Roman
soldiers. Before him was King Agrippa
and the proud lords and ladies of the
court OF Festus. But prisoner though
ne vas he had more real freedom than
they all. Rich though they we're he
felt that he possessed more enduring
riches than any of them. And be earn
estly desired that they should come into
the same freedom, should possess the
same u~nsearchable riches. For Paul
was a pardoned ard saved man, and that
explains it all.
We need to catch this spirit of the
apostle. What the church must have
to be trne to her mission In the world is
a deeper, more active sympathy with the
masses OF mankind. Her members
should burn with a flaming enthusiasm
to bring the blessings of the gospel into
the hearts and lives OF all about them.
And why?
First, because Christ loves every man.
His devotion TO his fellow men is not
measured by geographical boundaries,
race distinctions, national affiliations.
HE did not die for Socrates because he
was q philosopher but because he was a
man." Therefore we revere Christ's ex-
ample; we should love all men without
distinction.
Secondly, we should be actively inter
ested in cur fellows because of the value
OF every soul. Estimate this value by
the fact that Christ thought it worth
while to die for the dissolute woman oil
Samaria or as well as for Nicodemus, a
ruler OF the Jews.
A third reason for sincere solitude for
the salvation OF men is found in the pos
siblities of regenerated manhood and
womanhood in Christ. God created no
human rubbish. In every man is the
image OF God. Let US bring out the
lineaments OF this image by the wonder
full chemistry of Gods love working
through us. There are men and women
all about us waiting for the heart throb
the hand grasp OF the Christian to reveal
to them the possibilities of the newer.
deeper life.
And remember, fourthly, that in min
istering to Christ, Lowell's beautiful
words have q wide application. He re-
presents the Saviour as saying: who
gives himself with his aims feeds three,
Himself. his hungering neighbor and
Me-
And finally, If the Christian has such
strong reasons for solicitude for the
sinner should not the sinner have equal
ly deep solicitude for himself?
NJ. E. CHURCH.
Morning theme: "The Church and
the Poor" Text, Matt. 26-l1. The poor
are. in every city, town, village and rural
Why 50, when 'the earth 10 the
Lords, and the fullness thereof? There
is plenty OF sunshine for the "lillies OF
the field and they are gorgeously ar.
rayed; plenty OF seeds for the abirds Of
the air" and they are amply led.
Rather than o proof of Divine partial
lty or limitation, the existing poverty 10
the result OF improyidence, indolence,
lntamperance or misfortunes over which
man has no control. Sin il the universal
trouble maker. Mans ingratitude and
self-suiiiciency has prompted the Har-
vest Giyer, In love, to withhold prosper
lty that he may think, and thinking, re-
pent.
i The poor should be the special
charge OF the church. This il the teach
ing OF the scriptures. The Jews we're
commanded 10 make special provisions
lor the poo. In gathering their har- /.
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