Evening journal., 1899-11-20

YOUNG DIVINE TO A LARGE CON-
GREGATIoN
Rev Francis Burgette Short preach
ed a strong sermon from the text, al
most thou persuadest me to be a Chris
ton" (Acts XVI, 2S), at Epworth NJ.
E. Church yesterday morning.
His discourse was, in the main, as fol-
lows:
The apostle Paul was brought before
King Agrippa to answer to the charge
of heresy-that is, he was considered
as having<forsaken the doctrine Of the
as having forsaken the doctrine of the
life and Immortality had been brought
to light in Jesus Christ. He
was obliged to defend himself, and with
an eloquence, aided by the Spirit Di-
vine, he not only proved that he was
jew Of the strictest sect, and that Jesus
was the fulfillment of the Old Testa-
ment prophesieS, from Moses to NAL
achi, but also that he, like Moses, was
converted and sent forth to preach by
a special manifestation of Gods power
and the voice from heavens throne. His
argument was strong and convincing;
ii stirred the heart of Festus, and he
declared in biting irony that Paul was
beside himself" it moved the con-
science af Agrippa, compelling him to
say: Almost thou persuadest me to be
a Christian"
This was the most decisive hour in
the old kings life. II seems to have
been the hour when he decided his life
for time and destiny in eternity Oh.
these decisive hours and moments
How we should strive to choose the
best How sad, eternally sad, the hour,
when almost persuaded, we refuse to
give our time and our talents to Him
for whom Paul suffered; even to Christ,
who suffered death upon the cross for
us.
let us consider: First, what IL means
O. eccme a Christian. To be a Chris
q y g the highest ideal and conception
OF Lanhood. There is nothing nohleI
on earth. l would rather be a Christian
in time and a saint in eternity than tC
be an angel. To be a Christian does
not mean TO be a follower Of some old
or new creed. hnt to follow Christ
Genuine Christianity is no
confession to a priest, attending prayer
meeting. joining church, or being bap
uzed. These are simply expressions o
such desire. all Of which may be OBJ
a Christian one must forsalKe sin. b,
renewed in the heart life by the Holy
Ghost and keep unspotted from the
world Pure and undefiled religion II
evidenced in visiting the sick and sor
rowing, caring for the needy, and liv
ing a blameless life before God. In be
ing a Christian one receives the high
est degree Of happiness in time. ant
glorious immortality with saints an
angels. To be a Christian is to wall
in the garden of faith with Chris
plucking here and there the roses ant
lilies, the orange blossoms and daisie
Of peace, out Of which shall be wove
a garland that shall adorn our fore
heads, as through the golden streets O
the celestial city we march and sing Il
alteration of the Prince of Glory an
Saviour of men.
Are you a Christian? II so, reioic
in what is already yours, and than
God for the inestimable riches,
Christ Jesus which await you If yo
are not. I beseech you to-day that yo
be not almost" but fully persuaded [
become a Christian.
Second-The word of God persuade
and invites you men to become Chris
tians How constant are the warning
A1AAQtA AlC DAtallAEc anu liAullllnuAnOA
the invitations in this Book to ungodl
men. How replete it is with Gods pun
ishment Of the sinner. Men, cities an
nations have fallen. and are remembe
ed not for their faith, but the
frivolity: not for virtue, but their vicl
not for saintliness, but for sinfulnes
and many of these have fallen with
sight Of the city Of refuge There WI
a time when they. like Agrippa, we
almost" persuaded to do right, b
alasl we see written over many ruin
lives and cities and nations. Almos
Almost! Almost OF all sad wore
this one, almost" is among the sa
dest ever spoken or written. The
almost" Christians are like Mica
who thought he was good enough 1
cause a priest lived in his house;
like Ephriam, who was good on O
side; or. like Ananias, who gave Oh
a part Of his possession to God; or t
virgins. who had lamps, but no c
Third-The Word may fail. not I
lack of truth or argument, not that
does not convince of sin, the duty
Christian manhood, the punishment
the evil-doers. and the rewarding of
righteous. but some do not comply W
iut tonullOnS. luey ueSlttts ueleI 4
procrastinate. Indeed, most unsaN
men are, during the greater part
their lives, almost Christians-Oi
one thing needful, but refusing -
che thing they lose all and go do
in sight Of the kingdom of God. II
not half so important to know h
many trips a ship has made from
York to Liverpool, as it is to know
she landed her cargo safely the
time she crossed the sea. T
old captain may have stood on
bridge when storm and tempest m
sport of his ship: at her helm he 1
have stood and steered her safely
the light now visible in the dim
tance; but If. as he enters the narro
with the city and home full in vi
he runs his vessel on the rocks
with his cargo goes down. how sad.
(Contfnued on Cacnnd Pane