The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-25
ENLIST IN THE SERVICE.
Join the Church-LabOr in the Sab.
bath Schools - Purify Your Own
Heart Do the Work for Which
You are Best Fitted.

Sermon delivered last Sunday by preacher
who desires us TO withhold his name:
"What shall do, Lord ?"-Acts %: 10.
This text is found in the address which the
apostle Paul delivered. 10 the enraged multi
! from them by the captain of the Roman
guard. He gives an account of his former life
as prosecutor OF the Christians. and also OF
his conversion near TO Damascus-w he
| was going armed with authority from the
chief priests to arrest and carry to Jerusa lem
all. whether men or women, whom he might
| find OF the followers OF Jesus.
He tells them how at midday light shone
upon him from heaven when he had fallen to
the earth and voice spake unto him saying,
saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me-" And
voice replied, II am Jesus OF Nazareth whom
| thou persecutesL." In Luke's account Of the
same event it Is said simply 81 am Jesus,
whom thou persecutest." But you notice that
in this place 1t ia Jesus OF Nazareth.
This declaration was peculiarly fitted TO
humble and mortify Saul. There can be no
doubt that he had often blasphemed this
name. and profanely derided the nation that
The Messiah could come out Of Nazareth.
But when Jesus appears to him In the way.
and manifesls himself either as person or
through the medium OF that glory from heav-
he So to
areth," the object Of your contempt and
scorn.
The effect OF this disclaimer upon Saul
seems to have been thorough and instantan-
eous Trembling and aston ished, he cries out,
What shall do, Lord? This indicates sub.
dued soul and humble spirit. Up to that m O.
nent he had sought to do his own will, but
now in complete self.surrender be desires 10
know and to do the will OF him whom he rec.
ogniZes an his Lord and Saviour. Hitherto he
had occupied position Of opposition and Bit
this moment he is ready to enlist soul and
body in advancing his cause. Paul perse-
cutting and Paul praying present two phases
Of character that describe In some degree the
whole world. The case of Saul may have
been peculiar because of the suddenness OF
the transition from one state to another, but
In all essential particulars It is marked by
those characteristics which distinguish every
true conversation. The great controversy be.
tween God and the sinn ner Is as to whose will
shall be done. And the first act OF the soul in
conversion is to surrender to God-to subordi-
nate the will TO the will Of God, and TO re.
solve TO do that which he requires. And 1t
seems TO me that the greatness of Saul settles
beyond all cavil the disputed point which has
received SO much attention as to the time Of
his conversion. His complete surrender TO
Jesus and his expressed willingness to do his
will marks the turning point In his history.
II shows q change of feeling, and consequent
ly change OF character.
PAUL's CONVERSION.
1t Is decided, prompt, immediate. He dio
not hesitate after his Saviour revealed him.
self; He says IN his epistle to Galatians,
When It pleased sas God 70 reveal his Son
heather, Immediately | conferred not with
aesh and blood" He did not stop to enquire
what the Serlbes and Pharisees might say
taIion~how it might blight The career OF hon
or and distinction that was opening before
him 30 full Of promise. But with prompt
ness that showed his earnestness, he gave
himself up at once and entirely. Nor can
there be any real conversion where the heart
and will are not given TO the Lord Jesus, to
be directed and moulded by him at bis pleas
ure. We may fairly test our conversion by
the example before US in this scripture. II
our hearts have been given up as was Paul's,
If our Wills have been completely snrren-
dered as was his, and our one desire has been
then these can be safely accepted as proofs OF
the genuineness OF our conversion.
THOUGHTS ON THE NEW YEAR.
But, besides this, there are other lessons
contained in this text-lessons, too, which
seem appropriate 10 season like the present.
We are about 70 enter upon a new year. 1t is
a season that invites to serious reflection. It
Is time for reviewing the past that we may
and failures and closing up forever our ac-
count with the year that Is past. 1t IL fit
time to take kind of In inventory OF posses
ston-spiritual as we'll as material. 1t Is q
time for num- bering mercies and erecting Eb.
enezers. 1t is a time for laying out plans for
the future-for forming new resolutions-re-
newing vows and eirding up mead and heart
for the duties and trials Of another year.
How can the Christian better begin the new
year than with the question OF the text
"What shall 1 do, Lord ?" Every word Is
pregnant with meaning. We need not stop
here 10 urge the fact that Christians of every
age. rank and condition are under the most
constant and unalterable obligation to conse-
crate themselves TO the service Of God. This
truth is so plainly and 80 repeatedly set forth
it more manifest. eYe are not your own"
&C. This Is the basis Of Gods claim, and
language could not express one stronger or
more Just. All Christians must recognize
realization OF the fact that this claim Is con-
crete and personal, rather than diffuse and
general. My purpose would be gained If
could So present shs matter that every child
work appointed for his or her hands In this
year upon which we are entering, and could
be brought upon the very treshhold Of 1t ear
do, % Lord9 W There % is much i, to Be done. one ' can
not do II all. Thou knowest my capabilities
and illnesses, my circumstances and sur
Ioundipgs. il can not do one thing as well az
lar work, and how 1 shall do it. t look TO
thee for illumination and guidance. SUBJ
NIT my will entirely to thee. Use me in
whatever way will most glorify thee. If all
of us felt in that way-if we should all enter
upon this new year with such prayer upon
our lips, 1t would prove the happiest year of
our lives. and the one most fruitful Of good to
ourselves and to all with whom we are in any
way associated.
THE PRUDENT MAN LAYS OFF PLANS.
We would not think of living on day by
day without any plan for the future in the or.
business lays of bis plans with great care,
arranges In so far as he ca n the smallest de.
tails, and then works to those plans through
the whole year. The thrifty farmer does not
neglect to arrange for laborers. implements,
Fertilizers and seed until the time for plant.
ing. All these are provided end kept In read
mess. Forethoughta and system are essentials
make the difference between success and fall
ure. And ought we not TO conduct our higher
and more important spiritual concerns upon
the same wise business principles? Can We
leave these to haphaZard or impulse? In
forming our plans for the year ought not these
TO have that earnest. thoughtful and prayer
full consideration which their importan de-
mands. The scripture warns us against anx-
ious, vexing thought and care about the ordi.
nary affairs of this life. Take no thought for
your life, what ye shall eat &C., for your
heavenly father knoweth that ye have need
they grow. Behold the fowls of the air; for
they SOW not, neither do they reap. nor gath
er into barns, yet your heavenly father feed
eth them." "Are ye not much better" &c.
THE HIGHER AND MORE IMPERATIVE WANTS
OF THE SOUL.
But the scriptures lodge no prohibition
against the most careful and painstaking con-
cern In regard TO the higher and more imper-
alive wants OF the soul. The command Is
"seek ye first the Kingdom OF God," &c.
"Strive TO enter in at the straight gate" &c.
"Work out your salvation with fear and
trembling" Wherefore, brethren, give dill
gence to make your calling and election sure,
for If Q do these things ye shall never tall"
Again, "Giving all diligence. add to your