The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-01-07

tlanS. NO great movement ever sue
ceeded without enthusiasm, and en-
alike on the pulpit and pew. The pas
tor can kindle it, if the church will re-
ceive it and beget it in others, but there
must be reciprocity. A church makes
the pastor as much as the pastor makes
the church. Those are striking words of
Hugh Price Hughes: 1--WE need not so
much men of extraordinary ability as
nary enthusiasm" If we would bring
into our religious lives somewhat of the
enthusiasm we show periodically with
respect TO politics, or which we show
quite generally with respect to bust
ness, the question of fidelity to Christ
would be forever solved.
| What is it Paul tells the Galatians?
at is good to be jealousy sought in
good matter at all times, and not only
when l am present with you" If we
are ever going to be busy for Christ we
would better be at it.
1t may be the last year we shall have.
| We would better take hold with both
! hands and whole heart, and be ''all ut
it and always at it."
When the new year of 1898 dawned.
according to widely prevalent custom
there was reunion and roll call i'll the
church which l formerly served ut
| Shelbyville, Ky. There was an inter
estng program, including letters, or
visits, from former living pastors, and
the members answered to their names rs
soldiers would when brought into battle
array. Over the meeting presided the
pastor man of fine presence, who
seemed destined to live long after some
| present had asFed away. December 10
of the same year he passed from the
stage of action, victim to the widely
prevalent malady-the grip.
i We are to have such meeting next
Sunday morning. Some who were with
us a year ago will not answer, for their
seats have become vacant, their voices
have been hushed and we shall never
more, feel the warm grasp of their
hands this side the river of life. Others
will lanswer in clair and so,derly tones:
"Herew with that infection of the
voice which suggests readiness for duty.
In virtue of our surroundings and life's
uncertainties, / suggest some resolutions
which every one of us should make our
own as they are named
During this year / will try to meet
my brethren regularly for worship on the
Lords day.
will try to know and encourage the
members of our church.
l will try to induce others to attend
the services of our church.
l will try to attend the prayer meeting
with the same interest | would show in
a political meeting or social gathering or
place of amusement.
/ will try to help the Sunday school by
my presence and by bringing others.
will try to sympathize with and helr
my pastor, and not hinder him.
/ will try more fully to cultivate the
spirit of Bible benevolence.
I will try IN forgive If | have nupht
against any man.
| will try to be unselfish.
] will try to lead some one to Christ.
will try to live for God and heaven.
Third-The time is shortened in which
you can secure your salvation. You have
been brought, my impenitent friend. tt
the beginning of another year. The
swift revolving wheels of the chariot o.
Time have noiselessly coursed on thei
. way and brought us this much nearer t.
eternity. The joys, the sorrows, thu
hopes, the heart-aches, the sins of tn,
: past year are beyond recall.
''Tis time
For memory and tears. Within the deep
Still chambers of the heart the spectr,
dim,
Whose tones are like the wizard voice
of Time,
Heard from the tomb of ages, points it,
cold
And solemn finger to the beautiful
And holy visions that have passed away
And left no shadow of their loneliness
On the dead waste of life"
We are reminded of our frailty ant
nOthingness. We are taught thai
change is written on all things sub
lunary. If the dread messenger, the
awful archer, should come, would you bC
ready to go? If you have not Chris
you must say, "No, thousand times, no.
Then | bid you, in His name. make ready
today. Away with your excuses
your paltry excuses that the churches
are not pure: that you can not choose
between the different denominations; that
there are difficulties in the Bible that
and that and the other is in your way
Away with the rubbish of the devil! lis
ten to the voice of love and mercy
Listen! Over the hills and mountains of
our Sins God speaks: "Though your sins
be ls scarlet, they shall be as white as
snosv; though they be red like crimson,
they shall be as wool. Through the long
centuries Jesus teaches, God so loved
the world that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whatsoever believeth on Him
should not perish but have eternal life"
The. Son of the highest stands and knocks
at the door of your heart today, saying:
1.-The time is shortened" He waits to
enter and take up His abode with you,
but not always will He wait. Now is
the accepted time" o, that you may see
your utter helplessness before God and
Chris:'s glorious all-sutficiency! l said to
an old friend, past 70, as l put my arm
about him, 81 wish you would come into
the kingdom this new year" He replied
May be | will some day" Some day"
said: You have been saying that all
the time Yes" he replied, "but when
a man gets old he goes Slow" Young
man, think of that You don't know that
you will live to be old, but if you should,
remember when man gets old he goes
slow. Give your heart to God while you
are young and make sure of noble, true.
| Christian life. Make sure of heaven.
l don't think l shall ever forget the
piercing cry of a woman which went to
my heart several years ago like barbed
arrow. Her brother had died sudden
death. The pail bearers were placing the
body in the hearse, preparatory 10 going
to the cemetery and she cried out, 90,
brother! brother! l told you death was
on your track and you said, oh no,
Mary, I'll live long time yet. That
wasn't month ago, and there you are
now in your coffin"
% ,rr:, A. 4,,,:,I, &c 80, o,.o. ,,, tba