The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-01-09
dis up the eulleya. II eleyates and trans


flIls up the gulleys, It elevates and trans
forms, TO beauty It gives moro beauty, to
tact more tact, to enthusiasm OF nature more
enthusiasm. When the Holy Spirit impresses
the image of God on the heart, He does not
spoil the canvas. II in all the multitudes OF
young men upon whom religion has acted
you could find one nature that had been the
least damaged, would yield this PROPOSE
tion.
character to repel the various temptations TO-
gross wickedness which assail you, but Go
not know In what strait you may be thrust
at some future time. Nothing short Of tho
grace Of the cross may then be able TO De-
liver YOU from the lions. You are not
meeker than Moses, nor holler than David,
nor more patient than Job, and you o1ght
not to consider yourself tnyulnerable. You
may have some weak point OF character thar
you have never discovered, and In some hour
when you are unsuspecting the Philistines
will be upon thee. Samson. Trust NOT
In your good habits, or your early train
ing, or your pride OF character
nothing short Of the arm of Almighty God
will be sufficient to uphold you. You look
forward to the world sometimes with chill
ing dependency. Cheer up. I will tell you
how yoE may make a fortune. "Seek first
the kingdom OF God and His righteousness,
and ell other things shall be added unto
you." / know you do not want to be mean
in this matter. Give God the freshness OF
your life. You will not have the heart to
drink down the brimming cup OF lie and
then pour the dregs on Gods altar. Io
Saviour so Infinitely generous You
have not the heart to act like that. That
Is not brave. That Is not honorable.
That is not manly. Your greatest want IN
all the world is q new heart. In Gods name
! tell you that. And the Blessed Spirit
presses through the solemnities and priv
leges Of this holy hour. Put the cup OF life
eternal 10 your thirsty lips. Thrust 1t not
back. Mercy offers it-bleeding mercy, long
suffering mercy. Reject all other friend
ships, be ungrateful for all other kindness.
prove recreant to all other bargains, but to
despise Gods love for your immortal sonl-
do not do that.
Iwould like to see some Of you this hour
press out of the ranks Of the world and lay
your conquered spirit at the feet OF Jesus.
This hour is no wandering yagabond stag
gering over the earth; it Is a winged mes
senger of the skies whispering mercy to thy
soul. Life ia smooth now, but after awhile
1t may be rough, wild and precipitate.
There comes crisis In the history Of every
man. We seldom understand that turning
point until 1t is far past. The road OF life is
forked, and read on two signboards: "Thts
Is the way to happiness" and "This
Is tue way 10 hON Hpt Wo HlO
to pass the fork of the road without thinking
whether 1t comes out at the door OF bliss or
the gates of darkness.
Many years ago stood on the anniver-
sary platform with a minister of Christ
who made this remarkable statement:
"Thirty years ago two young men started
out in the evening to attend the Park
Theater, New York, where q play was to
be acted In which the cause Of religion was
to be placed In ridiculous and hypocrit-
ical light. They came to the steps. The
consciences Of both smote them. One
started to go home, but returned again to
the door, and yet had not courage to enter,
and finally departed. But the other young
man entered the pit Of the theater. 1t
was the turning point in the history Of these
two young men. The man who entered was
caught In the whirl Of temptation. He sank
deeper and deeper In infamy. He was lost.
That other young man was saved, and he
now stands before you 10 bless God that for
twenty years he has been permitted to
preach the gospel"
"Rejoice, o young man, IN thy youth and
let thy heart cheer thee in the DAYS Of thy
youth; but know thou that for all these
things God will bring thee unto Judgment"