The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-01-26
WITHIN OUR TEMPLE DOORS.
What They Preached About II Scot
land Neck Last Sunday.
IN THE METHODIST CHURCH.

Pastor Ryder preached from Acts 8
6-"Lord, qchat wilt thou hare me to
do?" In these words of Saul we see as
much of real heroism, of true courage
as can be found In any portion oil
Gods word.
This text is virtual expression on
the part OF Saul of his willingness and
readiness to do anything and every
thing the Lord might command. Saul
means to say, "Lord, it is thine to
command, it is mine to obey" No
man in this day could Go more. Saul
was honest In his profession of loyalty
to the command of God.
In after life, when by bis espousal of
the cause OF Christ, be was subjected to
Imprisonment and scourgings and
perils on land and sea, and perils by his
countrymen, he exclaimed, "None of
these things move me-" And when he
had almost accomplished his work he
was able to exclaim," II have fought a
good fight" etc.
Paul was a man for the times and
not of tho times. The speaker for
about five minutes illustrated in varl-
Gus ways the difference between a man
for the times and man Of the times.
His theme was, "The Christian tor the
Times"
There are great underlying prlncl-
piles upon which he must stand if he
would meet the demands of God and
the world upon it.
He must be converted. That is he
must have an experimental religion
know that be is Gods adopted child.
With this positive knowledge OF sins
forgiven, he can go forth as "the salt
of the earth" and "the light OF the
world" to enlighten, purity and pre-
serve the world from moral and spirit
ual death. Nothing can substitute this
positive knowledge "that Jesus is mine. F"
Church membership Is to be encour-
aged. Conformity to outward require
ments is desirable. A correct creed is
necessary, but none Of these can take
the place of spiritual life-cannot SUBJ
stitute experimental religion.
The times require that Christian
must be intelligent--must know the
Bible. A correct knowledge as to what
the Bible teaches is the only safeguard
against fanaticism. Must be able to
give a reason for the hops he has with
in him. Must know the doctrine and
pollty of his church. Must keep him.
self in touch with the current affairs OF
the church-his church. He must be
In possession OF 4 tolerant spirit. He
must be denominational but not secta-
rjan. He must be progressive in bis
method of operating. He fatally I'M
values the mighty mission of Christi
anity who limits it merely to "the asser-
ton OF moral principle" without any
care for its social and political results.
Christianity contemplates the sanctl-
fcation of the home, the redemption Of
the nation-the publication Of CON-
merce and the exaltat!on Of "civic yir-
tue"
When Christ Jesus announced that
His kingdom was not of this world He
meant not TO say that itihad nothing
to do with the things OF this world
Christ's mission was to adjust human
relation and the enforcement Of this
gospel in the life of society will right
all social wrong and bring in "new
heaven and earth.
:sI'he teachings of Christ are the per-
feet solution Of all the problems Of So
ciety." We as Christians must adjust
ourselves and our operations to meet
all the problems Of lie and solve them
according to the standard ct the Bible.
He must be aggresslve-"Go ye" etc.
This Is his watchword.
He must be extremely rberal-The
times demand larger liberallty, etc.
The church. OF God is "enlarging her.
self" and this calls for larger liberality.
He must have stability of character
BE firm against all evil. Be
above compromise. Be a strong
Christian.