Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-12-04
Ills up the gulleys. It elevates and trans

fills up the gulleys. It elevatcs and trans
forms. 70 beauty 1t gives more beauty, to
tact more tact. to enthusiasm OF nature more
enthusiasm. When the Holy Spirit impresses
the image OF Gcd on the heart, He does not
spoil the canvas. II In all the multitudes OF
young men upon whom religion has acted
least damaged, would yield this PROPOSE
lion, -
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
grace OF tho cross may then be able to de-
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 infulnerable. You
may have some weak point Of character that
you have never discovered, and In some hour
when you are hnsuspecting the Philistines
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
Ing dependency. Cheer up. l will tell you
how yoS may make 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 matter. Give God the freshness OF
your life.- You will not have the heart to
drink down the Drumming cup OF life and
then pour the dregs on Gods altar. To
Saviour so 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 new heart. In Gods name
fell you that. And the Blessed Spirit
presses through the solemnities and privl'
leges of this holy hour. Put the cup OF life
eternal 10 your thirsty lips. Thrust 1t not
back. Mercy offers it-bleeding mercy, long
suffering mercy. Reject all other friend
ships, be ungratefu for all other kindness
prove recreant to all other bargains, but to
despise Gods love fer 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 winged mes
senger Of the skies whispering mercy to thy
soul. Life Is smooth now, but after awhile
il may be rough, wild and precipitate
There comes crisis In the history Of every
man.. We seldom understand that turning
point until 1t Is far past. The road OF life Is
forked, and read on two slgnboards: "Thi:
is the way 70 happiness" and "rhis
Is the way to ruin" How apt we nre
to pass the fork of the road without thinking
whether it comes out at the door of bliss oil
the gates Of darkness.
Many years ago / stood on the annver'
sary platform with a minister Of Christ
who made THE remarkable statement
"Thlr>y years ago two young men started
out In the evening 10 attend the Park
Theater, New York, where play was 10
Le acted in which the cause OF religion was
to be placed In ridiculous and hypocrit'
zeal light. They came to the steps. The
consciences OF both smote them. One
started 10 60 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 the 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 10 bless God that fol
twenty years be has been permitted to
preach the gospel"
"Rejoice. 0 young man, In thy youth anc
let thy heart cheer thee In the days ofthy
YOUTH but know thou that for oil these
things God will bring thee unto Judgment