Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1900-11-22
s.The Back Slider at Hear. %

filed with his own wsys."-Prov 14-14.
The bell buoy must ring out over
the rock all the time, because the rock
is there all the time. The reason the
bible warns so much about backslid-
ing is because we are always IN dam
ger of bscksliding. A disease may
be eating our life away, our ship in
the fog may be drifting upon the
rocky coast, we are only in the great
er danger if not aware of it. Back
sliding begins unexpectedly, like a
dangerous disease it steals into our
system so secretly that the utmost
vigilance.is necessary lest we be taken
unaware. Knowledge of the nature
and manner, causes and results of the
evil should prove help toward it's
avoidance
First. Let Us know that bsckslid-
ing begins in the heart. The leaves
of the fruit tree begins to fade, curl
up and wither; no fullnes of life, no
fruit, you suspect a worm at the
heart, something gnRwinR at the seat
of life. Man falls as trees do-sfter
gradual decay at the heart prov.
4-23-"Keep thy heart with all dill
gence for out of it are the ISSUES of
life"
Second It is we'll to remember
also that backslider at heart Is not
always a bscksllder in life. Indeed
he is often zelous worker in external
things and may show honest pride in
all church work and success. May
make some sacrifice to have fine
church with large congregation and
good choir. Also keep up the forms
of personal and public christian duty
faithfully.
Third. We note also some of the
signs or indications, for the bsckslid-
er in heart may not be conscious of
his own bscksliding. It may come
upon HIM so quietly he does not know
it. just as one IS never conscious of
going to sleep. Some of the signs
are: first. a loss of interest in Gods
word he may continue to read it but
not to love it as before. It dIsturbs
his conscience, 1t is no longer his de-
sire. 'As new born babe the sincere
milk of the word that he may grow
thereby" II Tim. 2. verse Second,
loss of relish for private devotion.
The secret hour of prayer to God for
grace and wisdom he has left off; its
sacred influence upon his life gone.
The grass has grown where once his
knees were bent while solmnlY plead
ing with God for the conversion of
souls, with burning tears Of joy or
sorrow, but now it has no charm for
him. But the Ieanness of his soul
and the husks are all that Is left.
Third Loss of fiIial fear of God and
the csrefulness to shun the appear
ance of evil; thinks lightly of things
of q questionable character, going
back to the things once left behind
for the Saviour-I Tim. II verse.
Fourth. Loss of zeal in spiritual
work He does no soul-winnIng work
and shows no enthusiasm or warmth
or personal interest and an effort to
advance the spiritual kingdom of God.
I'VE did run we'll who did hinder
you" Gal 5 T. Fifth. We consider
what are some of the causes of back
sliding:
First Getting of guard unmatched
enemies of approach, MARK 1888
watch ye and pray lest ye enter into
temptation" Worldllness is a great
temptation; when we let in the love
of the world then Christ is out. Il
John 15) ''Love not the world, Meta
er the things that are IN the world "
IF any man loves the world the love
of the Father is not In him
Second. The neglect of known
duty. 1t is always safe to obey God
in doing our duty. How much it will
mean when the time comea when 1t
will be said: "Thou hast been faith
full of few things enter thee into the
JOY of the Lord.'
Thomes missed great blessing by
staying away from meeting where
Jesus met the little band after his
resurrection and ''breathed on them
and saith unto them: Receive ye the
Holy Ghost" Thomas was away
doubling, but the cheering news of
she other disciples saved him, for sf-
ter eight DAYS he was nreeent. his