The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-09-02
You see common. sense agrees with myte1t

You see common. sense agrees with mytext
In saying tha. ''if the tree fall toward the
south, or toward the north, in the place
where the tree falleth, there 1t shall be-"
You see this idea lifts this world from an un-
importan Mt way-station to platform OF STU.
pendous issues, and makes all eternity Whlri
around this hour. Oh, my soul! my soul!
Only one trial. and all the preparation for
that trial to be made in this world, or never
made at all. Oh, my soul! my soul! You see
this piles up all the emphasis and all the
climaxes and all the destinies into this lite
No other chance. Oh. how that intensifies
the value and the importance OF this chance.
Alexander and his army used to come
around city and they would kindle great
light with the understanding that as long
as that light was burning the city might sur
render, and all would be well, but If they
let that light go out, then the battering rams
would swing against the walls and there
would come disaster and demolition.
Oh, my friends, all you and need to
do to prepare for eternal safety Is just
to surrender to the King and Con-
queror, Christ. Surrender hearts, sur
render life, surrencer everything. The
great light keeps burning, light kinded
by the wood Of the cross, light flaming up
against the dark night of our sin and sor-
row. Oh, let US surrender before the light
goes out, and with 1t our last opportunity
Of making our peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, my brother, talk
about another chance; this is the supernal
chance. In the time of Edward IL. atthe
battle of AIusselourgh, private soldier saw
the Earl of Huntley had lost his helmet;
The private soldier took off his helmet and
went up to the Earl Of Huntley and put the
helmet on his head. Now. tho head OF the
private soldier uncovered, he was soon
slain, while his commander rode in
safety through and out of the battle. But it
is different in our case. Instead OF private
Offering helmet to an earl. 1t is the King
of heaven and earth Offering a crown to an
unworthy subject, the King dying that we
might live! Oh, tell it to the points Of the
compass. tell it to day and night, tell it to
earth and heavep, tel it to all the centuries
and all the milispniuIns that God has given
US q magnificcn, cNance In this world and
that we need no other chance in another!
A dream 7 am in the burnisher judgment
hall OF the last day. The great white throne
is lifted, but the Judge has not yet taken 1t.
While we are waiting for His arrival hear
the immortals in conversation. "What are
you waiting for?' says a soul that went up
from Madagascar to soul that went up
from America. The latter responds: 81 was
in America forty years ago, and l heard the
gospel preached, and hat plenty of Bibles
in my house. and from the time that knelt
at my mothers Enee in prayer until my last
hour, had great opportunities; but l did
not improve them, and am here to-day wait
ing for another chance. "Strange, strange,
says the soul just come up from Madagascar.
''Strange; why. | never heard the gospel call
but once In all my life. and I accepted it.
and don't want another chance" what
are you waiting for?" says one who on earth
IL L. ali rvnn hnI
great brain and whose voice was silvery, and
who had scepters Of power. The latter re-
piled: ~ had great power on earth.
must admit. and I mastered languages
and mastered libraries. and colleges con-
ferred upon me learned titles. and my
name was Ia synonym for eloquence and
power; but somehow I neglected the mat
tiers of my soul and ! must confess to
you I am here to-day waiting for another
chance" Now, the ground trembles with
the advancing chariot. The great folding
thrown open. "Stand back" cry the ushers,
land let the Judge of quick and dead
pass through" He takes the throne.
He looks of upon the throngs Of ma
tions come to the last judgment, come
to the only judgment, and one flash
from the throne reveals each mans his
tory to himself. and reveals it to all the
others. And then the Judge says: d.
vide!" and the FURNISHED walls echo 1t, "Di-
vide!" and the guides angelic answer, obi
vide!" and the immortals are rushing this
way and that. until there if an aisle between
them. q great aisle; and then vacuum,
widening and widening, until the Judge
looks to one side ofthat vacuum, and ad-
dresses the throne aud says: "Let him that
is righteous be righteous still, and let him
that Is holy be holy STILL" And then. turn
ing to the throng on the other side OF
the vacuum, he says; "Let him that
is unjust be unjust still, and let him
that is filthy be filthy STILL" And ther
He stretches out both hands, one toward the
throng on each side the vacuum, and says:
"If the tree fall toward the south. or toward
the north, in the place where the tree falleth,
there 1t shall be-" And then I hear some
thing jar with great sound. It is the clos
ing OF the Book of Judgment. The Judge
ascends the stairs behind the throne. The
Hall Of the last Assze is cleared and shut.
The High Court OF Eternity adjourned for
ever.