The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-03-01

Is enforced. A Christian Is supposed 70
be q noble creature. not a crlnging
slave. he Is hound 20 hss Master ny
lova, not by chain. The Spirit OF
God would lead him up into the wilder
ness, but willingly and for purpose.
Grasp the true idea OF Lent. as ! am
trying to outline II. and you cannot
show me n Christian In this parish. or
In this Lofty. no matter BY what name
that Christian Is known, who viii be
guilty OF doing any one OF these things
during the time when the church, Dur
dened with the responsibility to lift the
world out OF It's sins and its follies and
itA faiiinEA, Is trying to lead them up
into the wilderness to follow the exam
pie OF Jesus Christ. and out aS1he led
sons Of that wilderness make them
better men and women. It Is not In
the nature Of things. 1t Is ridiculous
even to Imagine that one on whose
brow has been Impressed the sign Of
the cross, and who calmly and earnest
ly has knelt before the altar 10 ask the
blessing Of Gods chief Pastor upon the
confirmation vows, in recognition OF the
fact that there is life higher than the
material, and interests greater than
those OF time. and souls more precious
than bodies. and that the life Is more
than meat--I say It Is simply ridlcn.
lous to imagine that such an one would
hinder or destroy In any way the IN
Guence OF the living invitation which
the church extends TO all to be led up
into the Wilderness, to learn lite's
greatest lessons and gain the secret of
molly life.
Beloved brethren. does not this
thought reveal to US our duty during
this Lenten season? Let me change
that word duty to privilege-does II
not show US our privilege?
Need tell you that It ought not to be
question whether those who are
Christ's servants shall keep Lent? The
only question ought TO be whether we
shall make the community in which
we live keep It also. We can, II we
will. You have some thoughtless
friends. You can make that friend
thoughtful II you try, especially II you
begin by being thoughtful yourself.
And what you, as an individual, can DO
with another Individual, each parish IN
the land can do in the. community.
In social circles we have great IN
fiuence. There Is scarcely any organi-
cation Of cultivated people that can
resist the earnest, conscientious, uni
ted determination Of q devout body OF
Christians. Yours is a noble opportu-
nity--If you will allow the Spirit Of
God to lead you up into the wilderness,
and IL you win take with you your dear
ones and your acquaintance and your
neIghbors, following Christ your Saw
Tor thither. that you may commune
with God, that you may consider the
forces Of the unseen world, and meet
them and overcome the evil, and es-
tabllsh as fact in your life that Il Is
possible, through the help Of Jesus. to
live above the seductive influences OF
Satan. and stand firm against his
tempting voice.
Standing, but yet on the threshold OF
senson laden with so many blessings
to the devout and the penItent, 1 ask
you to unite your influence with your
pastors during elk short weeks to
give this community true idea of
what the church wants to do for hui
NAH souls.
ask you to attend regularly the
appointed services, and In bringing
others, be Gods worlSrnen to lead them
up into the wilderness.
Refuse oil entertainments and
amusements that you may dwell upon
deeper thoughts, and be busy about
nobier duties.
In your hours or moments Of retire
ment read, mediate, pray, listen, think,
and then act.