The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1902-01-09

other days. The average of human
life, practically greater now than
when Noah lived, with his $50 years,
and Methusaleh lived his 900 ears.
Blessings of intelligence: The SAL
mon P. Chases and the Abraham Lin
coins and the Henry Wilson's of the
coming time will not be required to
learn to read by pine knot lights or
seated on shoemaker's bench, nor will
the Fergusons have to study astron-
omy while watching the cattle.
knowledge rolls it's tide along every
poor mans door, and his children
may go down and battle in them. If
the philosophers of a hundred years
ago were called upon to recite in a
class with our boys and girls those
old philosophers would be sent down
to the foot of the class because they
failed to answer the questions! Free
libraries in all the important towns
and cities of the land. Historical al
coves and poetical shelves and mag
azine tables for all who desire to
walk through them or sit down at
them.
Blessings of quick information;
Newspapers falling all around us
thick as leaves in a September equi-
noctial. News three days old rancid
and stale. We see the whole world
twice day-through the newspaper
at the breakfast table and through
the newspaper at the teatable, with
an extra" here and there between.
Blessings OF Gospel proclamation:
Do you know that nearly all the mis-
sionary societies have been born with
in hundred years and nearly all the
Bible societies and nearly all the
great philanthropic movements?
Christianity is on the march, while in
fidelity is dwindling into imbecility.
While intidelity is thus dwindling the
wheel of Christianity is making about
a thousand revolutions minute. All
the copies of Shakespeare and of Ten
nyson and of Disraei and of any ten
of the most popular writers of the
day less in number than the copies of
the Bible going out from our printing
presses. A few years ago in six
weeks more than 100000 copies of
the New Testament purchased-not
given away, but purchased, because
the world will have it. The most pop
ular book to-day is the Bible, and the
mightiest institution is the church,
and the greatest name among the
nations and more honored than any is
the name of Jesus
Wonders of self-sacrifice: A cler-
gyman told me in the northwest that
for six years he was a missionary at
the extreme north, living 400 miles
from postoffice, the thermometer 40
degrees below zero, he slept out of
doors in winter, wrapped in rabbit
skins woven together. 1 said: us it
possible? You do not mean 40 de-
grees below zero?" He said: 81 do,
and I was happy" All for Christ.
Where is there any other being that
will rally such enthusiasm? Mothers
sewing their fingers off to educate
their boys for the Gospel ministry.
For nine years no luxury on the table
until the course through grammar
school and college and theological
seminary be completed. Poor widow
putting her mite into the Lords
treasury, the face of emperor or pres
ident impressed upon the coin not so
conspicuous as the blood with which
she earned it. Millions of good men
and women, but more women than
men, to whom Christ is everything.
Christ first and Christ last and Christ
forever.
Why, this age is not so character
lied by invention and scientific ex-
ploration as it is by Gospel proclama-
tion. You can get no idea of it unless
you can ring all the church bells in
one chime and sound all the organs in
one diapason and gather all the con-
gregations of Christendom in one
GLORIA In Excelsis." Mighty camp
meetings.! Mighty Ocean Groves!
Mighty Chautauquas! Mighty conyen-
tions of Christian workers! Mighty
general assemblies of the Pres byteri-
an church! Mighty conferences of
the Methodist church! Mighty associ-
ations of the Baptist church! Mighty
conventions of the Episcopal church!
There may be many years of hard
work yet before the consummation,
but the signs are to me so encourage
ing that l would not be unbelieving
if 1 saw the wing of the apocalyptic
angel spread for it's last triumphant
flight in this days sunset or if to-
morrow morning the ocean ca ables
should thrill us with the news that
Christ the Lord had alighted on
Mount Olivet to proclaim universal
dominion.
All dead churches, wake up! Throw
back the shutters of stiff ecclesias-
ticism and let the light of the spring
morning come in! Morning for tie
land! Morning for the sea! Morning
of light and love and upeace! Morn
ing of day in which there shall be
no chains to break, no sorrows to as
suage, no despotism to shatter, nc
woes to compassionate. Blessed
Christ, descend. Scared temple, take
the crown! Bruised hand, take the
scepter! Wounded feet, step on the