Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-25
THE POWER OF A HOLY LIFE.
IL Within tho Reach of Every Living
Soul


No Christian is so poor, SO weak, so
lowly, but that he can do much for God,
and for his fellow men. He may not be
able to give largely, or even to give at
all, to advance the progress OF the Cos
pei, but he can recommend religion in
all it's beauty by his life. Thus his light
will shine with a power and effective
ness which nothing can dim. There is
power in a holy life which nothing can
resist. Men may stand out successfully
against every argument and motive
which can be brought to bear upon
them; they may be utterly indifferent
to the evidences of God; they may re-
sist every appeal found in the Bible;
they may successfully silence the
clamods of Observation-Disclosures indeed,
may disturb their way to hell but n
cody example. This has been effectu-
al in instances where nothing else was
in the least regarded
In n certain community lived man,
infidel in his sentiments and prohigate
in his practice. He was subtle in dis
putation, and could greatly embarrass
and sought to turn him into n better
channel. But there was one man who
would never dispute or argue with him.
This was n plain but devoted and con-
sistent Christian. His life was bright
focus of vital godliness, and it had more
power upon this wicked man than any
other sort of artillery that could be
m vet a
often heard to say that the holy life of
this man was the only thing that gave
him trouble. He could resist and turn
aside all arguments but this one, but
against this he was powerless. He could
not withstand the conviction that re-
ligion was n reality when he contem-
plated it as shining forth in such life.
The influence of this man is within
the power of every Christian. None so
poor or lowly in station but can exercise
It. Very many religious professors nre
ready to excuse themselves for doing no
more to advance religion, by the plea
that they have not the talent to address
and persuade men. They cannot find
words and arguments that are persua-
them to labor for Christ in other ways.
But this is not necessary. They may not
be able to talk the Gospel into the unbe-
lever, they may not be able to give for
the advancement of the Kingdom of
Christ, but they can live in their own
lives the life of the Gospel, and thus
with even still greater effect show forth
nd <f hnI fa
They can SO live Christ that it will be a
more convincing argument to the truth
and reality of religion than all the ar
guments of the most profound scholars
and eloquent divines. The power OF
holy life is something that cannot be
successfully combated or resisted.
II every member of the church would
sary for him to speak word on the sub
ject of religion. He himself would be
living recommendation in all it's beauty
and excellence by his life. In such a
community the ministry even might be
dispensed with, because every Christian
would be u minister Of the Gospel in
the very best sense. He would preach
the Word daily in his life, and in such a
way that there would be no possibility OF
gainsaying or resisting 1t. Then the
Word would have free course and be
glorified The truth of the Gospel would
be seen and felt and acknowledged on
every side, and the ends of the earth
would soon see the salvation of God. And
this power of holy life is in the posses
sion Of every Christian, however hum
ble.--Christian Work.