Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-10-18

Last evening Rev. S. G. Reading. of
Wllllamsport, Pa, commenced a series
OF eyangelistic services at the First Bap-
fist Church. Rev. Mr.. Reading has
been called to the pastorate of the Bap-
list Church here, and the members of
the congregation are hopeful of him &C
cepting the call in the near future. He
is a strong preacher, and last night
demonstrated his ability as an evange-
list. He preached a sermon that was
very interesting and assured his hear
ers that he would make an effort to
preach during the meetings in such a
manner as to interest and hold their
attention.
His discourse last night was a lesson
drawn from visit of Christ during His
ministry to His boyhood home at Naz-
areth, when He went into the temple
and preached to His old neighbors. He
said Christ preached the plain truth
and not to please. He preached those
things they did not wish to hear and
incensed those to whom He preached
1
avail this style of preaching, and to
say soft things to please. Christ was
not preaching for a call, but tod the
truth to reprOve sin wherever He found
it. His sermon was to His home peo-
pie. He knew most of them and had an
interest in His neighbors-so something
which church people of to-day frequent
ly lack. How many of US speak to
those with whom we associate about the
salvation of their souls? We ought to
be interested, like Christ, in our ac-
quaintances, associates and aur friends.
Christ preached to these people in the
right spirit. If we have not this spirit
we cannot do much in our work or
press conviction upon the consciences
of those whom we would save. Christ
preached to the poor. Some of the
churches of to-day do not want the
poor with them, and boast of the
amount of wealth that they have. A
church that has no room in it for the
poor has no room for Christ. Every
person ought to meet in church on a
common level. We do not despise any
person, either because he is rich or
poor, but we should remember that he
has an immortal soul to save Christ
also came to heal the broken-hearted
for there is trouble in the world. The
Christian scientists. as they call them
selves, say that trouble is purely a pro-
duction of the imagination, yet the
Scriptures say differently. "All We
that labor and are heavy laden come
unto Me and | will give you rest" That
is His mission. Earth has no sorrow
that Heaven cannot heal. He also
came to give sight, not simply physi-
cal sight but spiritual sight. He came
to relieve captives, captives of the Evil
One. We either belong to Satan or to
God. Christ says you are either for
Him or against Him. There are people
who are in bondage to sin, not only in
soul. but in body. AS long as the liquor
traffic is permitted by law. there is no
such a thing as there being a free
country It is a land of slaves and a
home of towards. There is only one
being that can set us absolutely free
from the bondage of sin, and that is
Christ Jesus.
The speaker finished with an invita-
ton for any to come and make a start
In the Christian life. He will preach
again tonight and every night during
the next two weeks. The attendance
last night was good and will increase
as the meetings progress. Rev. Mr.
Reading is not only an interesting talk
er, but speaks with a force and plain
ness that produces conviction