The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-01-17
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There iS hut one way to true and
IYafaf happiness, and that Ia to receive
and obey the gospel the Lord Jesus
Christ. ! Our unfailing remedy must be
fthe balm of GileAd, and our constant
friend and helper the sgreat Physician
who Is there. We must seek no other
source of relief, for none other will be
of any avail, but draw our draughts
straight from the fountain head, the
fountain open for sin and uncleaness.
No matter what the besettibg sin may
be, it can only be overcome by the
gospel. Is it passion? You may
make as many resolutions as you will
you may put forth effort, and struggle
and strive, but the sea will still roar,
and the storm will rave until the voice
of Christ himself shall cry, "Peace be
still"
And 80 with the overcoming oi
every evil inclination and of every be.
setting sin. Not until in the name oi
Christ crucified, and in his strength,
you can say, "Get thee behind me,
Satan ~ can you gain any substantial
victory. Philanthroplsts who dream
of lifting up their fellow-men from sin
and leading them to happiness and
peace, will find all efforts fail, unless
| they point them to the cross, and tc
him who was crucified upon ii, as "the
way, the truth, and the life." There
| is nothing for the sinner but the gos
pel-the gospel which is the power o.
God unto salvation to every one thai
believeth-no matter what may be his
guilt, no matter what the depth Of hii
stains, or the crimson. dyes that tar
nish his conscience and blacken his
soul. =
And this gospel can do everything
for a sinner. It can change the brute
into brother, the fiend into a father
the monster into q man. 1t can pu
your earthly house in order, and car
secure for you glorious freehold iI
that better country where the wicked
cease from troubling and the weary
are at rest. 1t can make you happy a
your daily toll, happy in your home
happy in yourself. 1t can prepar.
YOU for life, with all its cares and
trails, and fit you for death with all iti
terrors.
How can any rational being refuse
to accept such gospel as this, Offered
80 freely, without money and withou
price? Will you believe on the Lore
IJesus Christ and be saved? Not {
single soul Is excluded from his mercy
lif they will but come to him. Ant
there is no one that cannot come t
him if he will. The invitation is to al
to whosoever will and with the in
vitation comes needed grace to avail
yourself of it. The heart of Christ Ii
large enough to embrace all. Neve
distrust the mercy of the Saviour
Only take him at his word when h'
Invites you, and you shall in no wis
be cast out.
i o sinner, to you is the word of thi
salvation sent! To you who are toll
ing for the. bread that perisheth, tt
YOU Is the bread or life offered freely,
'IYe who are poor and needy an(
empty, here is wealth for you, more t
be desired than gold, yes, than much
fine gold; here is patrimony for yet
richer than the bequests of princes
an inheritance incorruptiable, undefil
ed, and that fadeth not away. To yol
who are engulfed in sin and arount
whom the enemy of SOULS has thrown
his snares and chains, to you the gos
pel promises can reach, "for there 1
mercy with the Lord that he may b
feared, and plenteous redemption tha
:, he may be sought unto. There is no
in all the wide world soul that is no
|precious in his eyes. There is not
soul that Jesus did not die to save.
Accept, then, the offers which
Heavenly Father makes to you OF 81
abundant entrance into the everlasting
kingdom and Joy of your Lord. Ar
YOU weary and heavy laden, given VI
to sin and flattering pleasure? "Iurl
We, turn ye, why will ye die?" Their
lis mercy and love in the Fathers hear
! for all. tits an old story, but o how
precious, THAT Jesus Christ came int
The world to save sinners " ono
more listen to the old invitation, BE
hold the Lamb of God, which taket,
away the sin of the world" "Ihougl
your sins be as scarlet, they shall De a
: white as snow; though they be re,
3 like crimson, they shall be as wool.
o We homeless outcasts, wanderers an'
wayfarers, who have proved the nol 3
!, lowness of human sympathy, never uls
trust the love of him who loVed yo'
s.