The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-07-02

TIE commercial spirit OF the day IL some
thi.c marvellous 10 think of. and unless
ono day at least in the seven is spent IN
worshiping God the other days OF tine
week will dwarf and starve that spiritual
nature which every man possesses whether
he Is conscious OF it or not. The tendency
~ look down and not up will alter while
way OF walking, while the man who one
day in the week 1t least looks up and not
down will find himself purcr and better
and stronger. Men are sure to retro.
grade and lose ground ii they neglect the
church." said q man 10 me the other day,
started an he said. Il question If i am as
happy as when was on small salary and
lived in a very simple way.
Second-The church needs men and the
work OF God cannot be accomplished with
out. 1t has always been Gods way to
work through instruments sometimes as
humble as the rod which Moses held in
his hand and yet as important az Moses
himself. God means to win men through
men, and il the men OF the day absent
themselves from the church of God for the
loss OF tho souls OF other men they are held
responsible at the day oil judgment.
Third-Mcn ought TO attend church be-
cause of the intellectual culture that Is
.here gained. The average man has little
time for reading. little opportunity through
the week for recreation and lectures and
il is the opinion oil this distinguished blsi.
ness man that the average sermon will he
a stimulus to his intellect. Remember. u
is not 80 much what you hear as the i'm.
preston ii makes upon you and the after
effects upon your life. Men may have forget.
ten the Greek they, learned IN college, and
the principles oil the higher mathematics.
but no man conld pass through college
without coming out stronger and better
in every Way IL lie were true TO his eGucs.
ton. and the effect oi a sermon right:
heard and recei.ed is 10 make the lie
purer. the mind clearer, the character
stronger.
Fourth-The example o. church going al.
fords IN important means Of promoting
the good order OF the community. Tic re.
hex influence upon oneself Is of the very
best, and the influence upon others u cor.
ducive to regular habits and good order,
Fifth-The idea OF recreation in church
attendance is one Of the most importan:
reasons for faithfuluess in this regard.
Surely" writes a distinguished man,
Church going viii afford this" A change
Of occupation is rest and a working man
who feels that he must sleep through the
hours of the morning because he las
toiled faithfully through the days OF the
week. will find that he is beginning his
week duller than If he had been true 10
God: while the business man who reads
through most of the hours of the day be-
cause he feels that to attend church would
be sense OF weariness would find that he
begins the week more weary than II be
had been loyal to Christ.
Six,h-.Anotber writes, "We ought 10
attend church in order 20 become ac-
aiainted with the saving power OF Jesus
Christ: men ought to attend church TO be
good, and then they viii be good ior some
thing.
There are certain facts which we mus:
remember in our efforts 10 reach and TO
help others.
Frst-There is q worshipinS faculty in
faculties. For the exercise OF his voice
man has the air. for his feet he hns the
earth. for hunger he has food. for thirs:
he has water but for his soul he must
have God. John Stuart Mills was one OF
the greatest men. and he had one OF the
greatest minds We have known in these
latter days. but his early life. his fathers
blood and his education had drawn him
away from the church. He tired TO kill all
faith. and yet he could not kill the de-
maDd " something to worship. He eulo,
lized bis wife until he worshiped her, ard
the seven and hall years they lived 70.
eether were the happiest years OF his life.
When abe died the light OF his life went
out. There never was sadder closing to
mortal life than his.
Second - Men have misunderstood the
spirit OF the church. Criticism has been
made that the church is q class institution
existing for the favored few, but this is
tholomew Mission House in this city,
where people by the thousands have been
reached and blessed; the presence Of the
Madison Square Church House, so recently
dedicated TO the glory Of God and the
helping OF all classes of people ia IN argu
ment which directly meets this disposition
on the part Of the unchurched. Not long
ago man went about through the
churches clad as poor man, plainly
dressed, and found that he was repulscd
by no one and welcomed by nearly all.
The church is the greatest factor in the
world. but its work is first and foremost
with the soul and its needs. Men have
been disposed to censure US because we do
no do what the club does. nor what the
lodge does, but it should be remembered
that the church is not charity institution,
nor an educational institution; it is i
nal salvation. The church has a social
mission, il is true. but first OF all it has q
saving mission. We must keep first things
first. The lodge may have its place in the
ranks Of men, but woe be to that man who
allows it to usurp the place Of the church
in his life.
After Rossini had rendered William
Teli' for the Ave hundredtb time COM
psny OF musicians came under his window
in Paris and seranaded him. They pu:
upon his brow q cold crown, and in the
midst of the cheers Rossini turned to d
friend and said, Il would give all of this
Just for q day Of youth and love" and
there is many an old man in New York
who has passed his Sundays in the house
Of God who knows more Of real JOY be-
cause of this than the man whose name Is
famous throughout the world and counts
his money by millions.
In the Yellowstone Park there is a "a.
nous point where on one OF the peaks OF
the Rocky Mountains the falling waters
(Which way shall ! 20" This point is
the Continental Divide, and gus. OF wind
determines whether the water shall flow
east to the Atlantic or west to the Pa
cifc. doubt not but some one is reaching
a decision as to what his true relations to
the church may be, and if be decides
against the church he Is to be pitied.
while if his decision is in favor of the
church all will be well.
First - His individual life will be
strengthened, he will NEE. temptation.
but overcome it; he will meet trial and
rejoice in it; he will have the approval OF
his own conscience, and this always makes
q man courageous.
Second-His social life viii feel the i'm
petus Of bis decision. Mems lives count