The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1896-07-29
AN AFTER THOUGHT.

AN AFTER THOUGHT.
1t was real pleasure for US to
meet and grasp the hand of Brother
Bostick last Sunday, and to hear him
tell Of the joys and sorrows in the
mission work in far-off China. May
God bless him in his work, and may
He raise up more men to preach the
gospel in heather lands aud more
men at home to give of their means
for the support of these men. 1t is
always real pleasure for a minister
to see large congregation out to
hear him deliver the message OF Al
mighty God; their presence is in
spring and uplifting But IN the
case Of every preacher, [ dare say
that there comes to him, possibly
each Monday, what might be prop
erly called an after thought. That is
the thoughts that are revolving IN his
mind after his message has been de-
livered.
Yesterday, as I went home from
our worship, I thought, 'Do these
people 60 back to their homes
with a deeper love for the lost China
man? Do they return with a firm
resolve to do more, pray more, and
give more to send the gospel to the
lost?
'sDo these people go home prais-
ing God for the Sabbath, the bles.
sed day of rest, and for the hour OF
worship of his great name?
"Do they go on their way rejoic-
ing in their own deliverance or pray
ing God for forgiveness of sins?
"Has the word to which they have
listened been the savior of life unto
life or of death unto death?
"Have I as preacher been faith
full to my charge, to my GOO, myself
and my fellow-men?
s'Do I rest in the quietness of con-
science that have not Stunned to de-
clare the whole counsel of God?
"Has my sermon been the means
in Gods hand of turning the foot
steps of a poor wayfarer from the
storm-beaten paths of sin to the
shining pathway of light and truth
and safety. Has it been q failure or
successful ?"
It is these after thoughts that
sweep through the minds of the
ministers that has given to Monday
the name of 'Blue Monday"
wonder if "after thoughts" ever
sweep through the minds of any save
the preacher? The bible tells US of
rich man who had an after thought,
when he opened his eyes in hell and
thought of his brethren at home and
did not wish them to come to the
place where be was. Judas had az
after thought when he threw down
the money in the temple and went
out and hanged himself. Peter had
an after thought when peeping
through the open door and saw the
face Of his denied Lord and went on
the back porch and wept bitterly.
The Roman soldier must have had
the same thoughts when with the
crowd shesting around the cross he
heard JESUS forgive them," and be
likewise said, "this was the son Of
God" Possible, this was the first
:time in all Of his contact with Jesus
that he was convinced of his divinity.
But after thoughts will surely come,
even though it be too late to change
the life.
Would to God. that people would
have more forethought and hence
make the first and greatest prepara-
alton and 'seek first the kingdom Of
God and His righteousness" If men
had more consecrated forethought it
would save the remorse of after
thought.
The pastor of the Baptist church
regrets that his health makes it nee
essary for him to be away for a few
weeks, consequently there will be no
preaching in the Institute hall next
Sunday. The prayer-meeting and
the Sunday-school will be kept up by
the brethren. Let all come and at
tend these services.
The address Of J. O. Cough will be
Glenn Springs, S. c., for the next
two weeks.
We hope that the dedication of the
new Baptist church building will not
be very far in the future.
We think it supreme disgrace for
the governor of the State and a Judge
on the bench to curse and swear and
fight over an Office which should be
honored as center OF morals and
right living. 1 long for the time to
come when Christian men will be
sought out and placed in these po-
sitions. God forgive me # I ever
cast my vote for whiskey barrel to
sit in the governors chair, or CO the
Judges bench, OF even as an inspector
of military arms I believe that a
man who represents morals and
Christianity has as much brain and
business tack as does the man who is
immoral and represents the devils
platform.