Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-06

THE REVIVAL.
Union Services Characterized by Dali!
Increase in interest.
inspiring Sermon Preached Upon Sub
Jeet, "Agrippa Almost Persuaded"

Last night, at the First Baptis
church. the interest in the union meet
lngs reached flood tide mark. 1t wa.
an inspiring sight to look over an au.
dience such as has not gathered in g
| church In this city for years. Every
night the interest increases, the num-
| pers Increase and the results become
greater. Every Christian who does
not take part in this work must GER
| tainly be losing great blessing. These
meetings need you. You need the meet
ings.
The subject Of the sermon by Rev
Everett Lesher was "Agrippa Almost
Persuaded" This sermon was direct
appeal to the unsaved.
When Paul asked Agrippa to be a
Christian. it meant sacrifice, suffering.
persecution and sometimes death. 1t
means much, today. 1t is not trivial
matter. 1t was then, and is, today, a
question of life or DEATH
Agrippa was almost persuaded. He
paused this side of decision. Forty
years later this last Of the HerOds died
no nearer the kingdom of God than
when Paul reasoned with him. Many,
today. are like this ancient king, al
most persuaded to be Christians.
Why was Agrippa not fully persuad-
ed: First, he had a false notion that
religion was giving-up process. So
you think, l must give up this and
mat. No, no, you are all wrong; it is
giving up only the false, the unworthy,
the debasing things of life; it is taking
on the true, the noble and the ideal.
Again Aprinna
ion. the great Festus. This Festus had
SAID Paul was a fanatic. Agrippa was
persuaded that Paul was sane. that re-
licIon was true. that Christ would save
him. but he lacked the courage of his
convictions. Oh, how many hesitate
simply through fear of others. This
lack Of moral courage is running many
souls and blighting many lives. today.
EVIL company kept Agrippa from
yielding to his convictions. His most
intimate companion was shame, a
disgrace To manhood. His sin and hers
held him I'm a grip of death.
There are many i'm our. city who
would commence the Christian life at
oEce. IL they could break away from
tho evil influence of their companions.
1 tell you. tonight. evil associates will
ruin the best man or woman i'm Au-
gusta. will drag them down to the very
gates OF hell.
You say. believe i'm religion, I think
u the way to live. / ought to be
Christian. ! will be some day, and just
so far AgIippa went. He would not
let his sins go. he chung to his sinful
associates and for want of moral cour-
age and decision he went to his death.
Almost persuaded only emphasizes
your guilt. If you know what is right
and refuse To follow it. your guilt is
the greater. Almost persuaded Is to be
lost In sight of home.
A man undertakes to jump across a
chasm and fails by half a foot. Only
six inches. he was almost across, but
almost was not enough. If, tonight,
you are almost persuaded. you are still
unsaved.
If you would have life today, tomor-
row. forever. you must decide for Christ
and declare your intention.
At the after meeting Rev. B. p. Hope
made an inspiring talk. Mr.. Hope will
speak. this evening. at the opening
meeting.