Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-10
WINNING OF SOULS.
MIR. GOOTEE, OF MARYLAND, on
CHRISTIAN WORK.
The HIGHEST INTENTION OF GOD.
No Luxury In the Christian Life Like
Leading Soul to JeSus-1ntcrest-
ing Discourse at BrOnd-strcet Mis-
Sion.


sion.
Mr.. Charles II. Gootee, of Maryland,
spoke TO an appreciative audience last
night at Broad-Street Mission. His theme
was Christian work and his text was
from Proverbs XII, 3O-"He that winneth
souls Is wise" lie said: / am certain
that Christians make a great mistake IN
not studying this highest intention oil
God in their lives. That God has higher
plan than that OF saving US is true, ana
/ am sure that lie has saved US that we
may lead others TO Himself, and the
Christian who is taken up with nursing
his or her own experience makes mis-
take There is no luxury in the Chris
tian life like leading a soul TO Jesus, ana
he that winneth souls is wise. And again.
we are told in the 18th chapter of Daniel
Sd verse: They that be wise shall shine
as the brightness Of the armament, ana
they that turn many to righteousness as
the stars for ever and ever
TO WIN \ SOUL.
/. We must be fully and completely
saved ourselves with a joyful and slau
salvation. We must believe for "A COM
plete work i'm us. then take our eyes on
of our own heart and be occupied WIN
the saving OF others. / was in the YOUNG
Mems Christian Association i'm Baltimore
and the young men were discussing th'
best method of bringing souls to Christ
in
I'm their talks that they themselves were
not satisfied with their own experience
A gentleman arose and said: "The very
best and chiefest thing in the work Is u
be fully saved thyself."
.. We must understand human nature
for there are TO two cases alike. the
colleges and theological seminaries are
turning out "A lot OF young men who are
well educated. but know nothing of hu
man nature. because they do not minsi'
with meN Cbut books TO hear and see the
common needs of them, and learn th'
hindrances that keep them away IRON
Christ. No Christian worker can be eN
cused for not knowing human nature, MOI
can any be successful who does no
study the heart Of the sinner whom IN
seeks to bring to the Saviour.
2. Know your Bible and how ano
where to find a promise or passage
10 suit the case you deal with. me as'
I'm which we live IS the time OF SIDE
tracking the Bible. We can hear Il lone
sermon or a talk from many. preacher'
and workers with little or none oil
Gods Word in it, We are the agents
and the Word is the instrument Inc
Holy Spirit uses to bring conviction an'
LIGHT to the soul out of Christ an
certain that there is too much depend
ruce i'm one way and not enough IN an
other on the Holy Spirit in our work
We should work for the conversion OF
| soul as though there was no Holy spirit
and then trust the Holy Spirit as though
we had done no work at all. The wore
e the sword Of the Spirit. and the only
sword He uses. Then we must believe
| the Word ourselves. 1t IS not what W.
know so much as what we know We
know. When we pray, let us beleV'
we receive the things we ask Tor an'
look around for them when we aris'
from our knees.
:. BE wise for che that winneth souls
is wise" Re natural, an attempt Il
copy somebody else is hypocrisy Go'
has made us separate and distinct IRON
all others with an individuality all GU
own. and this He desires 10 use TO brini
otbers 10 Himself. There Is nothing 8,
disgusting as to be talking naturally L
some preacher or worker. and the mo
mont he is in the pulpit to hear hin
| change his voice and assume some un
natural and hypocrltical manner.
Nothing wins men TO us like being ex
actlv who we are and what we are. Whel
we can convince a child or man tina
we are i'm love and i'm earnest TO vii
| their soul to Christ. we will have littl
trouble in bringing them to Him
SEEK OPPORTUNITY.
The servant in your family needs Christ
sour loved ones in your home need Hin
and it lays in your power, If you ar
wise, 20 win them TO Him.
Jesus sought an opportunity at the we
TO win the heart of the Samaritan VIC
man by asking her for a drink of water
and ended at last by not only getting tn
water He asked for but also the woman
heart. which He desired with passionat
love. she afterwards becoming a worke
and a soul-wnner herself. Don't los
your opportunity.
4 butcher was converted at a meeting
| The next morning he thought he woul
! start at once to win souls. y hit
Girl came TO his shop for some steal
While he stood sharpening his knife h
asked her If she WIS ready TO die? tn
child at once concluded ne intended
kill her. and ran home. He lost his Of
portunity and his customer.
TESTIMONY IL POWERFUL.
In winning a soul. if l can tell a ma
who is overcome with drink or any oth'
sin that Christ has saved me from thu
sin, il brings hope to his soul.
s. BE always at this work. Our mis-
sions and churches are full OF religion
loafers-loafers on God. If they woul
get out and get to work they themseIv'
would be greatly blessed, and woul
soon bring those who know not Chris
to Him. Hundreds of souls can
reached nightly for Christ in the stree
of Richmond. in open-air meetings. WI
never enter a church. Christ will SOC
return-are you doing the work He CAV
YOU TO do? | am not here tonight
tell YOU what your work is; you kno
your work better than l can tell you;
know mine better than any one can te
me. May we be found doing that whic
He has given each one to do when II
returns Nav God bless us all. Amen.