The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-11-27


which endureth unto everlasting life. ]"
Our Christian year is almost at an
end. Let us look back and set how
we have used it. For what have We
lived chiefIy-what has engaged our
thoughts. for what have we been striv
Ing, to what have we devoted our best
energies. All! my friends must it not
be said of us that we have been labor
ing for the meat which perisheth.
We have heard Christ's gentle, low
ing voice saying Come unto me" and
have we not many times if not alto
gether stopped oar ears that we might
not hear and hardened our hearts that
we might not understand. The doors
of the Church, Christs militant King
dom upon earth have been opened to
us-we have been hidden by His
stewards to come and learn of Him
to follow Him step by step through
His life upoh earth and profit by His
teaching and example. Have we not
many times scorned His gracious invi-
tation. Have We not treated Him
with apparent indifference, cOldness,
contempt and disrespect and gone
each our several ways, the one to his
farm another to his merchandise, an
to the almost exclusive pleasures of
the world.
/ We have had great spiritual feast
spread before us all this year past
The Lord Himself has been present to
Iced us with His words of truth this
Bread of Life. Gather up the frag-
ments that remain that nothing be
lost" Thus does Christ condemn all
waste of His bountiful gifts
Do We look upon the means of grace
AS precious gifts? Do we rightly val
tie as blessed privileges, the opportu-
mites for prayer and praise at home
and in the congregations; stte opportu-
mites for Communion with God in the
| I},es,ed Sac aMent Of Cheist's Body
alrs Blood; the Lords Day and other
| Holy Days as times especially appoin-
ted for us to draw apart from the
hurry and hustle of the work a-Iay
world To learn in the school of Christ
Of those things WSaich endure? o. do
! Ne regard thes. Things as drudgery.
,Isagreable con lltiUns Which l,ar,i
! 'as';inaster has imposed and which
must he gone through with in order
that we may escape punishment and
salve our pricking coEsclences. Be-
lieve ME such an one has not taken the
first step in the Christian life and
though they may be content for awhile
Intoxicated as they are by the things
of the world, they cannot hope to find
real rest or peace either now or here
after.
Oh my friends we have need to re-
pent of the wasted gifts of God which
we have trodden under foot, OH which
we have turned our backs or handled
with careless hands. and while we are
now at the very end of the dying yeal
| let rs give heed to the words of Christ
| at the close of the miraculous feeding
of the multitude-''Gather up the
fragments that remain. that nothing
| be lost" Those words fit us now as
we stand upon the threshold of anoth-
sr year. A shade of remorse or mel
anchOly may cross Cur minds as We
think of the opportunities wasted.
Let us take care that tho thought
Of sorrow and repentance lives beyond
the present moment. Then on this
last Sunday, this last fragment of the
year of grace and opportunity let US
seek to gather up the fragments of
lost mercies and privileges-let US
think seriously upon our spiritual con-
ditiOn. Lst US examine ourselves
honestly, as in the sight of God and
not of men. Remember that God
alone seeth and searcheth onr hearts
Then let as humbly ask His forgive
ness for our many sins of omission and
commission-andt then pray earnestly
that lie will give us the strength to
Use the coming: year argnt, that We
may not in future slight the blessed
privileges of the religion Of Chri :, set
before us through the services and
ministry Of HIS Holy Catholic and
Apostolic Church.
There are few days left before Ad-
vent Sunday, shall We not use them rs
n time of special penitence and prayer.
While We are yet IN our pilgrimage
in the midst of our earthly toll, we
must not forget that ''iu the midst of
life we are in DEATH" Consider that
rs We have come to the last fragment
Of the Christian Year, SD it uiay be
that We some Of us. have come to the
last fragment Of our ear thly lives.
How is it, are you, really for the
summons. are you prepared, having SO
poorly used His manifold gifts in this
world, are you entitled to a place i'm
the heavenly feaS. are ynn u.or;hy TN