Birmingham state herald., 1897-05-02

Dives was of the same opinion as to him. self, yet he plunged into hell in spite of his riches, his fine linen and his pur- ple." Christ himself declared with start ling emphasis, how very difficult it was for rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, nor has it become one jot or little easier for rich man to enter heav- en, since Christ made his memorable declaration But are the rich excluded from heaven? Most certainly, God new CT excluded them. They exclude them selves by the selfishness, induration of feeling and the pride and haughtiness superinduced by riches. 'To eschew evil and to do good" is the brand and the ear-mark of the true Christian. the world over. David said none should-see God, after death, except such as had lived in this world with 'clean hands and pure hearts" .4a Q
 Hosts of respectable church members have fallen into the error of taking 1t for granted that moral conduct and lives, are all that is essential to secure their admittance into heaven. Fatal delu- sion. Morality is a part of Christianity, but it is not and cannot serve as a sub stitute for the religion of Christ Mor- ality is confined to. external conduct, the Christian religion deals with the heart and the secret thoughts of the hearts of men," There is wide gap, spanned by no bridge, between outwardly moral conduct and the religion of Christ. eee
 
 "fruits' of the gospel of Jesus Christ? How many perform good works?" How many are given to deeds of charity? How many habitually 'eschew evil and do good?" How many can show "clean hands and upright hearts?" I should have used the phrase, professed Christ ians or church members instead of that of "Christians," since "Christians" pat tern after Christ and practice his. pre- cepts, and everybody in every communi- ty, are able to point out the Christians in 1t. factions speak louder than words as well as with more enchanting elo auence To "eschew evil and do gcod'. never caused any man to be regarded as an hypocrite. s7.al .,Isi-. sss
 The esschewing of evil and the doing of go?d must work together lika the two blades of tha shears. The hypocrlte neither eschews evil nor does good; he only ore ,:gds to do so, and makes reH- zion subservienit to his worldly business and ambition Ths- hypocrite is fraud and scoundref an disguise. ss g1 ;ie
 But" interjec.s some church member. conscious of his own shortcomings, you violate the rule laid down by Christ Him self Judge net, lest you De Judged, also.'" My dges liinber-backfd, weak kneed. easy-goinS, wshy-washy, nominal Christian. am sorry for your sad plight. "Drowmdng men will ca oh at straws, :" and you cnly exemplsfy the rule. Tell nls in what terms Chr st spoke of the Sertbes and Pharisees. Read your Bible. and widen your horizon; dear snominal Chris tian. Be either dough or cake Remena- Der soldiers should fight when a war Is on hand. and that there is constant war between your nominal comm anders Jesus Chris,i, end the world. tthe flesh and the devil" and thaHs c hrist wants no holi- Gay soldiers. 0; Ss,9s iGls a 5. os.g ssoaj T How many professed Christians con startly show tcleans Ina rsds and upright hearfs?" Hoy many church msimbers habitualty and aaity 'sesche VI, evil And do good?' How many 77sver rerform any | "good work 7'. Let every cornmunlst try .slris toucheeone on, the church members lain their midst, and thus swinnow the grains of wheat from the 3tfo5ffs f 1t,- Is