The Tupelo journal., 1902-11-14

nature could not crush the few hum.
bic disciples of Jesus, but Paul, the
Christian, could stir up the world and
win hundreds and thousands for
Christ in every city and country he
visited.
Jesus the Narrow Broad Door.-A
paradoxical statement, but n%everthe-
less true. A Narrow Door, because
mans self-will and self-righteousness
cannot possibly find room to pass. A
BROAD Door, because whatsoever will
may come Imagine the restless
multitudes of the earth's population
coming in response to the invitation
and seeking to pass through the
Door. As they come we notice that
like Christian of Bunyan's Pilgrims
Progress they are each and all carry
ing burdens. These burdens are self
will. AS in chemistry, the same ele-
ments in different quantities combine
t 0 form a great variety of substances,
Sc with these burdens which the null
titudes are struggling under. 1t is
self-will in varying quantities and
manifesting itself in a variety of
ways Self-will in religious forms
and ceremonies, self-will in ambition,
in the appetites, in human friend
ships and associations, self-will in
everything to which the natural mind
and body of man car turn. And how
that surging multitude would go
sweeping through the Door if it could
Only carry it's burdens with it. Sa-
tan sets many a door in imitation of
the Door which God has set, and he
let's the multitudes carry all the bur-
dens of their self-will with them.
And every such door is the gateway
to hell, for the full fruitage of self
will is hell itself. But the Door
which God has set before the world
is so narrow that self-will can never
get through. Christ, the Door, is the
entrance to Gods will, and self-will
can never abide in His presence. The
rich young ruler sought Christ, the
Door, and because he could not en-
ter with the self-will of his gold, he
went away sorrowful. What a sad
spectacle it is to see the world cling
ing to its self-will and failing of en-
trance to Christ the Door, where is
Eternal Life and eternal satisfaction
in abiding in the will of God. Do you
know what Gods will is? In the very
narrowness of the Door we find it's
worldwide breadth, for God will
have all men to be saved. and to come
unto the knowledge of the truth"
The only entrance to the realm of
Gods will is through Christ the Door.
Jesus VIII Yet Be a Shut Door
The message to the church in Phila-
delphia was. Behold, l have set be-
fore thee ar Open Door, and no man
can shut it." And hat is Gods mes
sage to the world to-day, but in the
%fullness of Gods time that Open
Door is to become a Shut Door.
While the Door is open the light
streams from it into the world, and,
thanks be to God! some turn to that
Light and live. But some day that
Door is to be shut, and then what
awful darkness will prevail! The cry
at midnight of the five foolish virgins
as they stand before the shut door
is yet to burst from the agonized lips
OF the world. Gods message from
the Open Doorway of His love and
mercy is always in the present. ITO
day, if We will hear His voice, harden
not your hearts," Now is the ac-
cepted time, now is the day of saliva
tom Gods tomorrow will see His
face Withdrawn from the Open Door.
Hishand will close to the Door, and His
voice will no longer be one of plead
ing invitation, but will echo in thun-
der tones of wrath through the earth
ly corridors: Depart from Me, We
workers of iniquity." 1t is a solemn
thought, but it is the eternal truth
of God. Heaven and earth shall pass
away, but the Word of God abideth
forever.
Which side of the Door are you on?
Not which side do you think you are
on, or hope you are on, but which
side are you really on according to
Gods Word and His eternal prom
Uses? There is a vast difference be-
tween the place where we think we
are and the position we actually oc-
cupy. The other night | rushed into
the station just in time to board my
train. At least / thought it was my
train which was at that moment pull
ing out of the station. / boarded it
and thought l was on the right train,
but / found before / had travelled
very far that there was a vast diff
ference between my think and the
actual place where my feet rested.
Realizing that my think would not
land me at my home station, l wisely
left the train at the first opportunity
and took the right one. Which side
of the door are you on?
Jerry McAuley once put the ques-
ton to a lady who had come to visit
his mission. "Sir, I am a member of
6 church." Nothing daunted, Mr.. Nc
Auley pressed home his question:: II
did not ask you about your church
membership. Are you saved?" "Do
you mea have l gotten down like
those people up there?" pointing to
the motley group at the altar. And
she turned Indignantly and left the
mission. But the shaft which had
been SEN home to her heart wrought
its work, 1and it was Mr.. McAuley's
privilege to see her, a %repentant sin
ner, leave her self-will behind and
pass through Christ the Door. Have
you joined the church V1th your bur-
den of self-will tightly shut within
your heart? Then you have not en-
farad Chr;cf tho Door Vnr, -
may be on the church books but no