The Newtown bee., 1898-08-12

brook, or among the industries of men.
l wish knew Of a church that had as
much tact in catching men, as a genth
man of my acquaintance had for catching
trout in the Rockies. He always caught
feb, and usually caught them in places
where others failed. To have such tact
in reaching men would make wonder
full change in all our churches. Chris
tian work would be characterized by such
earnestuess, that the great numbers of
indifferent and procrastinating people
would awake to their danger and seek
Divine help, the sceptics and revilers of
church and gospel would be silenced and
the millennium would soon dawn.
But you know how it is, we often stand
on our dignity and pride. We are anx-
ious that all these needy people should
be reached, but we are not willing to
humble ourselves, and like the fisherman,
creep in the dust, wade the mud and wa
ter to reach them.
Thousands of opportunities are wasted
in which, if Christian people would do
some real earnest fishing, they would
catch immortal souls. Jesus, after He
had shown the disciples how to catch
fish in the sea of Gal:lee, aaid Follow
me and will make you fishers of men,"
They left all and followed Him, not be-
cause they thought it would bring them
better social standing, dignity or wealth,
for he had said nothing of these, but
that they might fish for men. To catch
men was to be their life work. Our Saw
icur has called great many disciples
since that time, but to every one he has
given the same task, to fish for men. We
all desire the approval of this same Jesus
of Galilee. His approval can be hsd
only "a we are willing to follow Him il
humble, lowly and faithful service, en-
deavoring to save our fellow men.
There is another factor in this matter
Of fishing we must not overlook, the di
vine side of the whole matter. Fisher
men are not always Christians, but they
all have faith in the Divine power. have
read of certain fishermen, who
LIVE ON A DANGEROUS AND ROCK, BoUNI
=, SOAO4S
J that every time they start on a fishing
J cruise the whole village sins in com
, mending them to Gods care, and invok
, ing Divine guidance on their voy age
The fisherman does not know, when b
D starts upon his ocean voyage, what ma,
D befsll him. What more fitting than tina
t he should commit himself into the car
= OF Him who holds The sea in the ho!loS
of His hand. Gods world is so arrange
2 that be who makes use of his best judg
ment and is willing to toll will ordinari
= IL succeed, but it does not always 81
t happen. Sometimes that which weult
2 seem to US success would be the mos
! detrimental TO our own beat interests
= God providentially wills for our good
and sends catastrophe and misfortune
2 to lead US to recognize His hand in GU
r lives, and brir g us to Him.
f Peter and his associates were old fisher
{ men, they knew from experience th
? fisherman's art of catching fish, but the,
had toiled all night and when the morn
ing dawned they had caught nothing
They were discouraged and disheartene'
q when Jesus, in the early morning light
appeared on the shore. Perhaps Their
] was danger that they might still hav
. cared more for the fish of GaliIee thai
0 for saving the souls of men. Jesus said
: "Cast the net On the right side of tb
= boat and you shall fiud." They did 81
and their net was filled with fish.
Z All, my listeners, is there not lessor
a here for each us? We have been fish
t ing out on the sea of life, we have toile
: hard and waited long, but we are no
f satisfied with the result of our labor
2 The Master fisherman of Gslilee come
and speaks to each of US. Heed his voic
? and you need not fish in vain. With mos
} of you it is the morning of life. Jesu
r Christ comes and calls you. II you viii
] obey his commands your net shall b
/ filled with the best fab, and Christian
f character, esteemed life and the preciou
? souls of men redeemed from. sin. shall b
stars in your crown of rel icing through
out all eternity.