Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1895-02-08

neighbor to neiShbor, AMI Christian to
Christian: THAT is religion. Yes, that is
religion"
There is a man seated or standing very
near you. Do not look al him, for it might
be unnecessary embarrassment. Only a
few minutes ago he came down of the steps
Of as happy home as there Is in this or any
other city. Fifteen years ago, by reason OF
h dssipated habits, his home was a horrOrto
wife and children. What that woman wen:
throu gh with 10 or Ter to preserve respecta-
bility and hide her husbands disgrace is a
tragedy whi,h it would require a Shakes
peare or Victor Hugo to write out in five
tremendous acts. Shall tell it? He struck
her. Yes the one who at the altar he had
taken with vows so solemn they made the
orange blossoms tremble! He struck her!
He made the beautiful holidays "a reign Of
terror" Instead of his supporting her, she
supported him. The children had often
heard him speak the name Of God, but never
in prayer--ony in profanity. 1t was the
saddest thing on earth that can think Of
a destroyed home! Walking along the
street one day an tmpersonation OF all
wretchedness, he saw a sign at the door of
Young Mems Christian Association.
"Meeting Fer Men Only"
He went in hardly knowing why he did
so, and sat down by the door. and young
man was In broken voice and poor grammar
telling how the Lord had saved him from a
door said to himself, "Vhy cannot I have
the Lord do the same thing for ne2" and he
put his hands, all .tremble. over his bloated
face and said: 80 God, | want that l must
have that ~ and God SAID, "You shall have
it, AMI you have it nowH And the man
came out and went home a changed man,
and though the children at first shrank back
and looked to the mother and began to cry
with fright they soon saw that the father
was a changed man. That home has turn ed
from Paradise Lost" to "Paradise Re-
2n1ned" The WIG Sit oil day long at her
work, for she is so happy, and tk1 cn11dren
rush out into the hall at the first rattle of the
fathers key in the door latch to welcome
him with caresses and questions Of, 'What
have you brought me?" They have family
prayers. They are altogether on the
road to heaven, and when the journey OF
life Is over they will live forever in each
others companionship. Two OF their dar-
ling children are there already, waiting tor
father and mother to come up. What
changed that man? What reconstructed that
home? What took that wife, who was a
slave of fear and drudgery, and made her
queen on a throne of affecticn2 l hear a
whispering all through this assembla2e.
know what you are saying: "That's relig-
ion! Yes, that's religiop!' My Lord and
my God, give US moro of it p
Why, my hearers from all parts of the
earth, do you not get this bright and beauti-
tul and radiant and bltssful and triumphant
thing for yourselves, then go home telling all
your neighbors on the Pacific, or in Nova
Scotia, or in Louisiana, or Maine, or Brazil,
or England, or Italy, or any part OF the
round world, that they may have 1t too.
Have It for the asking Have It now! Mind
you, | do not start from the pessmistic
standpoint that David did, when he got mad
and said in his haste, 'A!l men are liars y
or from the creed of others that every man
Is as bad as he can be. I rather think from
your looks that you are doing about as well
as you can in the circumstances which you
are placed, but want to invite you up into
heights of safety and satisfaction and holt
ness, as much higher than those which the
world affords as Everest, the highest noun
tain in all the earth, is higher than your
front doorstep.
Here He comes now. Who is it? I might
be alarmed and afraid If 1 had not seen Him
before and heard His voice. I thought He
would come before got through with this
sermon. Stand back and make way for Him.
He comes wth'scars all around His forehead
scars in the center OF both hands stretched
out to greet you; scars on the tnstep of both
the feet with which He advances scars on
the breast under which throbs the great
heart OF sympathy which feels for you. an
nounce Him. l introduce Him to you, Jesus
of Bethlehem and Olivet and GolSotha. Why
comest Thou h1ther..this winter day, Thou of
the springtime and summery heavens! He
answers: To give all this audience pardon
for guilt, confidence for grief, whole regi-
ments of help for day of battle and eternal
life for the dead! What response shall l
give Him? In your behalf and in my own
behalf hail Him with the ascriptior Gun
to Him who hath loved us, and washed us
from our sins in His own blood. and hath
made US kings and priests unto God and His
Father; to Him be glory and dominion for-
ever and ever. Amen"