Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-06-09
ROBERT }&ARDY'S
SEVEN Daf&>
A DREAM AND ITS CONSEQUENCES
REV. CHAs. SHEI.D0N.
Autbor of Steps,


| ! had planned to be with you tonight.
| wanted to tell the church OF the change that
have lately experienced. do not need to tell
you that for the 25 years that / have been a
member Of the church have been a member only
In name. ] have seldom appeared In any OF the
spiritual or devotional services OF the church.
have often sat In an attitude Of criticism to the
best preaching. have been hard man with
those in my employ. have been cold and even
revengeful toward other members Of this church.
I have been q very proud, un-Christian, selfish
man. ..,.
In the sight Of God have been an altogether
unworthy member Of the church OF Christ. I do not
take any pride to myself in making this comics.
aion, but feel that 1t is due to you. and some
thing tells me shall have more peace Of mind II
/ speak to you as have lately prayed to God.
It Is not necessary, neither have ! time nor
strength to tell you how have been brought to
see my selfshness in all its enormity. It Is
enough II say to you that most sincerely be-
lieye that have misunderstood very largely the
right meaning Of human existence. / want to
pray with you and for you. You will let me say
this also, bearing with me, as this may be my
last opportunity to say to you what lies in my
heart: Serve the church Of Christ, all you who
have taken upon you Its vows, with enthusiasm
and loyalty. Stand by the superntend lent OF the
when you can, making 1t the most important serv
ice OF the week, and, more than all, live true.
simple loving Christian lives every day.
1t may seem strange that am preaching like
this to you who have probably done your duty far
better than ever did, but ] wish to say what
lies deep In my heart to say tonight II there
are any young men in the meeting tonight,
want to say to them, become Christians at the
core, not in name simply, as have been, and,
above all, kneel down every morning, noon and
night and pray to God to keep you from selfish
liie-such a life as l have hved-forgetful OF
church VOWS Of the rights Of the working poor, OF
the brother and sister in Christ. Yes, ! would
be willing that any young man might say, 20
Lord, keep me from living as selfish and useless
and proud q life as Robert Hardy once lived!"
For that is the truth. No one but God knows
how have suffered at the thought Of the past
how l am suffering at the present moment.
pray that any who are afflicted at this present
time may find peace in him who bore the worlds
sorrows In bis great heart Of love. II 1t were
not for my faith in my Saviour at this time,
should be in despair. As It Is, ! am suffering,
but It Is not the suffering which. follows an
eclipse OF hope. / believe in the eternal life and
in the forgiveness Of sins yea, even such sins as
mine have been. Forgive 30 much about myself
1t Is necessary under the circumstances l ask
your prayers for me as your petitions 90 up for
the afflicted and repentant everywhere. ! am.
your brother in Christ ROBERT HARDY.
The impression made by the reading
of this letter was profound. The still.
ness that followed was deathlike. Then
one Of the oldest men in the room rose
and in a prayer Of great power prayed
for the absent man and thanked God
for his guided strength. The prayer
was followed by others. and then one
and another Of the members who had
not been on really good terms with Mr.
Hardy arose and confessed and asked
forgiveness. The hearts Of the people
were greatly moved. Mr.. Jones, con-
trary to his usual habit, asked as the
meeting drew to a close If there were
any present who wanted to begin that
Christian life at the core Of which Mr..
Hardy spoke.
81 see a number here not protesting
Christians. Are there any who would
like to say that they want to become
Christians and will try to live the
Christ life every dayY'
In the pause that followed James
Caxton, who had been sitting in the
back seat. felt as If some power within
and without him were forcing him to
his feet. He grasped his chair as If to
hold himself down. but the Holy Spirit
whispered to him. "Son, this will be
the beginning Of new life to thee"
And so James Caxton arose and said
he wanted to be Christian, and from
that moment he dated his strong, con-
secrated life. life that bids fair to be-
come famous in the world yet, and his
action was the beginning Of new life
in that church and community, but we
cannot dwell on that in the course Of
this history.
Oh, Robert Hardy, the good God is
blessing thee in this thy week Of trial!