Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1902-11-22


Mr.. Beecher was right when he made
that statement, but | believe he was
right even In larger sense. The Ion
ger live the more confidence have In
those sermons that are preached where
one man Is minister and one man is
congregation. because such gospel
service can be held everywhere. 1t can
use the mechanics bench for a pulpit;
| It can have the iceman's cart for
| moving tabernacle; 1t can carry the
Bread Of Life to the sinner who would
otherwise never be willing to receive
that bread over the pulpit desk. Be-
sides, the minister in such a case does
not have to be an ordained theological
student, but need be simply an earnest
consecrated layman pleading for Christ
with the sinner who Is standing by his
side in the village store.
Saving n Sinful World.
II all church members were to be-
come earnest and consecrated evangel-
lists, 1t would not take very long for
this whole sinful world to see the sun
rise burst Of the millennial dawn. Sure
ly 1t would not be too much to expect
that one such evangelist as Mr.. Beech
er described should at least win one
soul year for Christ, yet DR.. William
Morley Punshon, the great English
Methodist, once made the startling
statement: "If every disciple today
were to call only one person to Christ
each year and that one were to call
one other, how swiftly the world would
be wholly converted! There are today
millions OF true believers in the world.
But If there were only 100 see how
quickly the work would grow. In less
than twenty-five years the world would
be converted, for this would double the
number Of disciples each year" After
such an impressive statement, will any
one say that the gospel invitation,
which can be given daily by the church
members, would amount to but little
In the salvation Of sinful world?
To show the Importance of Chris
tian layman's work | cannot do better
in closing this sermon than quote two
illustrations from the personal expert
ence of II. Clay Trumbull the well
known editor of the Sunday School
Times. Mr.. Trumbull's early life was
spent in Stonington, Conn. There a
great revival swept the town, and
many Of the companions Of his youth
Joined the church, among whom was a
young man who was one Of his most |
intimate friends. For many years |
these two as boys and young men lived |
near each other, but his Christian |
friend never spoke to him about reli-
gion. After awhile they separated. |
Mr.. Trumbull became an engineer in |
Hartford; his Christian friend went to
Yale, but during his last year at col |
lege he sent a letter to his old chum |
with him to become a Chris
tian. That letter was the means Of |
saving II. Clay Trumbul's soul. In
his engine room. upon the receipt Of it,
he then and there gave his heart to
God.
He Immediately said TO himself, "If
the personal Y0rk-0f a iayh'gff-ean do I
so much in the salvation Of IN immor-
tai soul. I will never make the mistake
ny friend made win me Ly postpOn-
ng for so long pc:r'onal invitation
10 another" SO. the same night on
which he was converted. Mr. Trum-
Dull went to one Of his fellow work.
Zen and told him lie had been con-
rerted. He urged his friend also to
accept Christ. THIS fIicud turned to
lim and said: "Trunbull. your words
ut me to the heart. You little know
low they rebuke me. | have long
)een a professed follower Of Christ.
ind you have never suspected this,
we've been in close associa-
ion in house and cilice for years. May
Iod forgive me for my lack of faith
illness" Aye, may God today forgive
IS all, ministers and laymen alike, If
We have shown the same negligence
IS these two young men who came
ntO II. Clay Trumbull's life. May
iod teach us. one and all. the power
# personal testimony for Christ. And
uay we one and all be willing to make
he resolution ID. l.. Moody made a
hort time after his conversion-"I
Iere and now promise that 10 day
ereafter shall pass unless | have per
onally presented my Saviour to at
east one immortal soul. SO help me,
esus, in my vow! Amen"
copyright. 1902. by Louis Klopschl