Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1901-01-09

locked the Jaws together so that they
did not open. The tongue lay fiat and
still in the bottom of the mouth as
though struck with paralysis. We
were mute. Though God had given
us the physiological apparatus for
speech and our lungs were filled with
cir which by the command of our
will could have made the larnygcaI
muscles moe and the vocal organs
vibrate. we were wickedly and fatal
~ silent. For all time and eternity
we missed our chance. or it was a
prayer meeting. and the service was
thrown open for prayer and remarks.
and there was dead halt-everv-
thing silent rs a graveyard at mid
night. Indeed, il was a graveyard
and midnight. An embarrassing pause
took place thai put wet blanket
on all the NEE ting. Men, bold enough
on business exchange or in worldly
circles. shut their eyes as though they
were praying i'm silence. but they
were not praying at all They were
busy hoping somebody else would do
his duty. The women fiusl eu under
the awful pause and made their fans
more rapidly futtcr Some brother
with no cold. coughed. by that sound
trying to fill up the time, and the
meeting was slain. But what killed
IT? The dumb devil. This is the way
| account for the fact that the stu
pidest places on earth are some
prayer meetings. | do not see how
man can keep any grace if he regu-
larry attends them. They are spirit
n fnf II;
ice. How many of us have lost occa-
sions of usefulness? In sculptor's
studio stood figure OF the god On
Portunlty. The sculptor had made
the halr fall down over the face OF
the statue so as to completely cover
II, and there were wings to the feet.
When asked why he so represented
Opportunity. the sculptor answered:
The face of the statue is thus COW
cred because we do not recognize On
portunity when il comes. and the
wings 10 the feet show tnat Opportu-
nifty is swiftly gone.
But DO not let the world Geride tbe
church because of all this. for the dumb
devil is just rs conspicuous in the world.
The great political parties assemble at
the candidates TO stand on. \ commit
zee OF each party is appointed TO make
the platform. After proper delibera-
uoh. the committees come in with a
ringing report: Whereas" and
Whereas" and "Whereas." Pro-
nunciamentos all shaped with the one
idea of getting the most votes. All ex-
preston in regard to the great moral
evils of the country ignored. No ex-
preston in behalf of temperate liv-
ing, for that would lose the vote of the
hquor traffic. No expression in regard
10 'he universal attempt al the demoli-
uon of the Lords day. No recognition
OF zoo In the history of nations. for
mat would lose the vote of atheists.
But Whereas" and Whereas" and
hereas.' Nine cheers will be given
for the platform. The dumb devil of
me text puts one wing over one plat
form and the other wing over the other
platform. Those great conventions
are opened with prayer by their chan
lalnS' II they avoided platitudes and
'oiu 'he honest truth in their prayers
.heN would say: 20 Lord, we want %
oe postmasters and consuls and foreip.
ministers and United States district
attorneys. For that we are here and
Tor that we will strive till the election
next November Give us Office. or we
die. Forever and ever. amen" The
World 10 say the least. is no betterth
me church on this subject of silence Mt
the wrong time. In other words is II
NOT time for Christianity to become
pronounced and aggressive as never be-
1ore: Take sides for God and snbrietv
ano righteous "If the Lord he
Zoo. follow Him" Have YOU opDor-
,uolty of rebuking sin? Rebuke If.
nave YOU chance to cheer disheart-
eEed soul? Cheer it. Have Won use-
luI word to speak? Speak it.
BE out and ont, mp and down for
righteousness. II your shin is aaoat
on the Pacific ocean Of Gods mercy.
nahg out your colors from t.c mast
mead. Show your passport. II Won
nave one. Do not amuggle your souI
INTO the harbor Of Heaven. Sneal,
out for God! Close up the cbapter
or lost opportunities and omen q nov
chapter. Before you get TO the door
on your way out shake hands with
some one and nsk him TO Join Won on
the road TO Heaven. Do not drive mn
10 heaven in n twO-wheeIed "suIl<v'.
with room only for one. and that
yourself but get the biggest GospeI
wagon you can find and pile il fun
OF friends and neighbOrs and shout
WI they hear you all up and down
the skies: Come with us. and we
VIII do you good, for the Lord hath
promised good concerning Israel"
The opportunity for good which Won
may consider insignificant may be
tremendous for results. as when ON
the sea Capt. Haldane swore at the
ships crew with an oath that wished
them all in perdition, and a scotch
sailor touched his cap and said:
captain. God hears prayer. and we
would be badly off II your wish were
answered" Capt. Haldane was con-