The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-30
Our Sunday Sermon
ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT.

10 the Editor:
When you go into Il store you often OBJ
serve the sign: If you don't see what
you want. ask for it, That is good
idea. and proves the merchant to be Il
man with an eye TO business. If you
desire to make Il success in life it is
necessary to know what you want, anu
| how to get it. The principle, in the
| above quotation. aptly applies to mat
ters spiritual or religious. as it does to
things temporal. Ii we would prosper
in the divine life don't forget to be
continually asking. The Bible is full
of this doctrine.
| How to ask. Let him ask in faith,
nothing wayering. For he that wavcr-
eth, is like Il wave of the sea. driven with
Che wind and tossed" JAS. 1:6, {.
Drummond has written that love is the
greatest thing in the world but. faith is
not far behind it: indeed it is mighty
factor for building character In every
relation of life \ faith that builds
cities and towns and men and women.
A faith that never turns back, never
f!ckerS. and as the needle always point
ing to the polar star so the man of faith
Keeps looking to the accommodation of Il
surplus of strength, fitting him for the
daily realities of lifcs battle. This kind
of man if he does not get all that he
asks for will he certain to get all that
he needs. And with his needs satisfied
he should be content. But he promises
to give what we ask. One thing that the
lighters need above al things as Il string
to the bow is wisdom. The world is full
of knowledge. and knowledge is power.
but if there he lack of wisdom or iudg-
ment connected with this knowledge
flowing from it. it is Il dctriment rather
than an advantage. If you~want wis
dem, ask it of God He has never di-
rectcd men i'll the way of error ii
YOU will get down ON your knees every
morning. or put yourself in the closet,
whether oil Your knees or not. and will
ask God. sincerely. to give you wisdom
for the days work. he will show the
way And if you don't so in wisdom's
ways then He is in no sense to be !
blamed. God is perfectly willing for us
to testify against Him if we can do so.
ccnseientiously. Let no man say when
be is tempted. | am tempted OF God:
fer God cannot lie tempted with evil, :
neither triumphth He any man. ISL ID
Now. then, if you want wisdom for either
life. ask for it. IF any of you lack wis
dem. let him ask of God. that giretll
to all men literally. and upbraidcst not;
ard it should be given him Jas. 10. |
Now that promise is plain enough. Do
you believe it! Then, why not lay hold
on it. and use the promise for your |
good! Why is it recorded that you go
day after day. wrangling, fretting. com
plaining over the issues of life. and
never think to ask God to give you
power. resisting force moral stamina, /
to meet these things? Why don't You ask I
Him. III tell you: it is a lack of faith.
But let him ask in faith Ii have
hobby il is faith. And it is Il hobby
that cannot be oyer-ridden, and though
men may tire of it. and care for some
thing new. don't if you want to wear
the crown i'll this life. get out of tne
faith saddle. An English curate could
never. to the discontinue of such MEN,
bers as his remarks applied, specially. /
preach, without bringing in as logical /
consequence of his text. something
against men who did not try to pay their
debts. This was his hobby. One day
a disturbed member asked him to preach /
from the text in Hebrews. that without j,
falth n Is impossible to please God. He /
consented. In the conclusion of his ser
mon, he remarked. that no man could
please God who didn't pay his debts: +
therefore. such careless man. was
without faith and. consequently. was
III the hands and. always would be. I'M
tll be paid more attention to his obliga-
tons. This man had one object in life
to make people honest. So every Chris
tan should live with such a degree of .
in tI,ut oil r,,I
wise, would Gay: Il have faith in his
faith. When men have that influence
on the outside world. it stands for n
power indeed Whatsoever You want
ask for it. Wisdom, faith. virtue. ten
derncss, patience. charity: all, or any ORE !
Of these. come from above and co.neth
down from the Father of lights, with
whom is no variableness, neither shadow
of turning. But the man. who asks. need
not expect to receive anything if he wa
vers \ double-minded man is unstable !
i'll all his ways. JAS. %. IF We abide
IN me and my words abide in You. We
shall ask what We will. and it shall be
dcne unto you." John 1877. Now that
proves my right TO use the caption:
Ask for what YOU want" 1t ill depends
upon whether or no the words of Jesus
'''"N -" !ou. anu sbu dUluc III Inn.
Blessed promise. Take il with you child
of sin and sorrow; it ought to he a com
fort to all: that He is at the door ready
to come i'll: and that He authorizes us.
under His hand and seal.
to ask and we shall receive. not some
thlng else, but what we ask for. Don't
let any one discount that promise: take
1t as you would ii treasury note-at par.
j. G. TROY.
Jonesboro n. c.