The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-09-26

SOLHOtlLnCo NO uof0 DoSV 6obo SPHoS>sS w.
Christs command and We have compelled
people 10 stay out. Sometimes our
elaborated instructions have been the
hindrance. We graduate from our tho
illogical seminaries on still and 1t taxes
five or six years before we can come
down and stand right beside the great
masses of the people. learning their joys,
sorrows, victories, defeats.
We get our heads 30 brlmtul OF the.
illogical wisdom that We have to stand
very straight lest they spill over. NOW,
what do the great masses OF the people
care about the technicalitlcs of religion?
What do they care about the hYpostatlc
union or the difference between sublap.
sarian and supralapsarian? What do
they care for your profound explanations
clear as q London fog? When man ls
drowning, he does not want you to stand
by the dock and describe the nature OF
tho water into which he has fallen, and
toll him there are two parts hydrogen
has and ono of Oxygen gas, with a COM
mon density of SO F., turning to steam
under q common atmospheric pressure
of 212. He does not want q chemical
lecture on water. He wants rope.
Oh, my friends, tho course OF God
on tho 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 us9 We put
on our official gowns, and We think the
two silk balloons Tapping at the elbows
of preacher give him great sanctlty.
Tho river of Gods truth flows down be-
fore US pure and clear as crystal, but we
take our theological stick and stir 1t up
and stir it up until you cannot see the
bottom. Oh, for the simplicity OF Christ
in all our instructions-the simplicity he
practiced when, standing among the
people, he took a lily and said, "There
ls q lesson of the manner will clothe
YOU" and, pointing to a raven, said:
iT6ere is q lesson of the way will feed
you. Consider tho lilies-behold the
FOWLS"
I think often in our religious Instruc.
tions we compel tho people to stay out
by our church architecture. People como
in, and they find things angular and cold
and stiff, and they 60 away never again
to como, when tho church ought to be q
great home circle, everybody having q
hymnbook, giving half OF it to the one
next him, every one who has hand
ought 10 shake hands, tho 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 poo
pie to stay out.
Now, let US all repent of our sins and
begin on tho other track, and by our
heartiness of affection and warmth OF
manner and imploration Of tho spirit OF
God compel the people to come in. How
shall We lead sinners to accept tho Lord
invitation? I think We must certainly
begin by q holy life. We must be bet
ter, men, better women, before we can
compel tho people to como into tho king
dom of Jesus Chaist. There are fine
ESSAYS being written in this day about
science and religion, I toll you the best
argument in behalf of our holy Christi
anity-it is a good man, a good woman,
q life all consecrsted to Christ, No IN
fdel can answer it. Oh, lotus by a holy
example compel the people to come in!
I read of q minister OF tho gospel who
was very fond of climbing among the
Swiss mountains. Ono day he was
climbing among very dangerous places
and thought himself all alone when ne
heard a voice beneath him say, "Father,
look out for the safe path. I am follow.
ing,n and he looked back, and he saw
that he was climbing not only for llim.
self, but climbing for his hoy. Oh, let
us be sure and take tho safe path! Ou:
children are following; oar partners in
business are following; our neighbors are
following, a great multitude stepping
right on in our stops. Oh, be sure and
take tho right path! Exhibits Christian
example, and 30 by your godly walk
compel tho people to como in.
Think there is work also in the way
of kindly admonltiop. do not bslieve
there is a person in this house who, If
approached in q kindly and brotherlY
manner, would refuse to listen. IF you
are rebuffed, it is because you lack in
fact and common sense. But, oh, how
much effective work there is in the way
of kindly admonition! There are thous.
ands of men all around about you who
have never had one.personsl invitation
to the cross. Give that one invitation, /,
and you would be surprised at the alaci-
ty with which they would accept it.
1 have friend, Christian physician,
who one day became very anxious about
the salvation of q brothec physician, and
80 he left his Office, went down 20 this
mans Office and said. Is the doctore in?''
emo" replied The young man waiting;
"the doctor is not in" "Well," said
this physician, "when he comes, in, tell
him 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,
"What does he mean by leaving his
Christian love for me?" And he became
very much awakened and stirred in
spirit, and he said after awhile, "Why,
that man must moan my SOUL" and he
went into his back Office, knelt down and
began to pray, Then he took bis hat
and went out to tho Office of this Chris
tlen and said, "What can do to be
sayed?n and the two doctors knelt in the
Office and commanded their souls tc
God, All the means used in that case
was only tho voice of ono good man say
inp, "Giye my Chrirtian love to tho doc
tor.n The voice of kindly admonition