Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-12-02

that castle OF character which has in II the
most spoils and treasures. 1t was not some
crazy craft creeping along the const with a
Va! yaiuslsss cargo that the pirate attacked, but
tween great ports, carrying its millions OF
specie. The moro your natural and acquired
accomplishments, the more need OF the relig-
ion Of Jesus. That does not cut in upon or
sp back up any s%oothness Of disposition or
that in the soul which ought to be arrested and
propels that which ought to be propelled. 1t
fills up the gulleys. 1t elevates and trans
forms. To beauty It gives more beauty. to
tact more tact. to enthusiasm OF nature mora
enthusiasm. When the Holy Spirit impresses
the image Of God on the heart, He does not
spoil the canvas. II In all the multitudes of
young men upon whom religion has acted
you could find one nature that had been the
least damaged, 1 would yield this PROPOSE
ton.
You may now have enough strength of
character to repel the various temptations to
gross wickedness which assail you, but do
not know in what strait you may be thrust
at some future time. Nothing short of the
liver you from the lions. You are not
meeker than Moses nor holier than David,
nor more patient than Job. and you ought
not to consider yourself invulnerable. You
may have some weak point Of character that
you have never discovered. and in some hour
will be upon thee. Samson. Trust not
in your good habits, or your early train
ing, or your pride of character
nothing short Of the arm Of Almighty God
will be sufficient to uphold you. You look
forward to the world sometimes with a chill
ing dependency. Cheer up. will tell you
how yoc may make a fortune. "Seek first
the kingdom OF God and His righteousness,
and all other things shall be added unto
you." know you do not want to be mean
in this matfAr Giva CO6 the frpsh Of
your life. You will not have the heart to
drink down the brimming cup of life and
then pour the dregs on Gods altar. To
Saviour go infinitely generous you
have not the heart to act like that. That
is not brave. That is not honorable.
That is not manly. Your greatest want In
all the world Is a new heart. In Gods name
/ tell You that. And the Blessed Spirit
presses through the solemnitIes and privi-
leges Of this holy hour. Put the cup OF life
back. Mercy offers it-bleeding mercy, long
suffering mercy. Reject all other friend
ships, be ungrateful for all other kindness.
prove recreant to all other bargains, but to
despise Gods love for your immortal soul
do not do that.
would like to see some of you this hour
press out OF the ranks OF the world and lay
your conquered spirit at the feet of Jesus
This hour Is no wandering vagabond stag
gering over the earth; 1t is a winged mes
senger OF the skies whispering mercy to thy
soul. Life IL smooth now, but after awhile
1t may be rough, wild and precipitate.
There comes q crisis in the history of every
man. We seldom understand that turning
point until 1t is far past The read of life is
forked, and read on two signboards: 'This
Is the way to happiness" and "rhis
is the way to ruin How apt we are
to pass the fork Of the road without thinking
whether 1t comes out at the door of bliss or
the gates of darkness.
Many years ago 1 stood on the anniver-
sary platform with minister of Christ
who made this remarkable statement:
"Thirty years ago two young men started
out in the evening to attend the Park
Theater, New York, where a play was to
he acted in which the cause Of religion was
to be placed In a ridiculous and hypocrit-
fcal light. They came to the steps. The
consciences OF both smote them. One
started to go home, but returned again to
the door. and yet had not courage 10 enter.
and finally departed. But the other young
man entered the pit OF the theater. 1t
was the turning point IN the history of these
two young men. The man who entered was
caught in tie whirl OF temptation. He sank
deeper and deeper in infamy. He was lost.
That other young man was saved, and he
now stands before you to bless God that for
twenty years he has been permitted to
preach the gospel"
"Rejoice. o young man, in thy youth and
let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy
youth; but know thou that for nll these
things Ged will bring thee unto judgment"