The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-06-05
Enduring TO the End.

The Savior did not promise His dis
ciples smooth sailing Oh life's voyage
He did not seek to win any followers
| by glowing pictures of ease andopulence
i'm this life; on the contary, He apprised
those that would come after Him that
they would be prosecuted. His warning
was to all that accepted His teaching
Beware of men. However, He offered
the best possible incentive to endure
the trials, opposition, and prosecutions
of this life. He offers reward that
far outshines in beauty and splendor
the brightest dadem ever worn by
those whom men delight to honor.
His reward is life everlasting, HE
that endureth to the end shall be saw
ed" Matt. X, 22).
But how shall we endure? How
shall young converts be led on in the
Christian life? How shall we keep
the holy fire burning on the altar OF
our hearts after years of Christian eX-
perience? These inquiries are especial
ly opportune at the close of our re-
vival meetings. IndoctriDation in the
truth Of God is one of the great essen
tials to perseverance in the Christian
life. There is no better food and no
better stimulus for the young convert
and the expe rienced Christian than the
cardinal doctrines ofo faith. Sensa-
ational preaching or lecturing on cur
rent topics may excite the emotions
for the time being, but they do not
furnish any nutritious food for the
spirit of man. The spiritual life can
thrive only on that which God gives
for strength and life. In order that
the truth of God may be assimilated
by young and old, it must be preached
in simplicity. The Gospel is 80 simple
that everyone can understand it, and
he who darkens counsel with high
sounding technical terms is not true
shepherd of the flock. The plain, un-
adorned word of God is adapted to all
ages and all classes of hearers.
If we expect young converts to en-
dure unto the end, we should give
them plain directions as to personal
duties. A right conception Of duty
when the convert isjust starting new
life, in which all the experiences and
all the surroundings are new, has an
important bearing on the whole course
of life following. A little detection
from the right in the beginning will
lead far out into the by ways of sin in
in years to come. These four duties of
Christian life should be forcibly i'm
pressed on the mind and heart Of ev-
cry convert: (D Read the Bible every
day. It should be read with retain
ing mind and understanding heart.
If only short passage of Gods word
be stored in the mind daily for pres
eut and future meditation, in the
course of time the soul will be strongly
equipped with the armor Of truth, and
able to meet the adversary with the
sure defense : 1t is written.
The directions that will naturally
follow are (2) Pray to God daily. At
ter having listened to Gods counsel
through the medium of His word, fall
upon your knees and pray give honor
and praise to Him who is the Author
of your being and source of all, God.
(3) Go to church. Attend the public
means of grace, which are primarily
the preaching Of Gods word and the
prayer meetings. (4 Pay. Let the
young convert begin at once to bear
some part in supporting the cause of
Christ, and participation in this mat
ter will prove means of strength and
attachment to the Church. This quar-
tet of duties, read the Bible and pray,
and 60 to church and pay, should be
made the order of procedure for every
young convert.
We shall all endure to the end if we
prove faithful to our trust. "If God be
for US, who can be against US ?" ''This
is the victory that overcometh the
world, even our faith" you would
spend eternity in heaven, endure to
the end.-Evangelical Messenger.