The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1902-11-21

service can be held everywhere IL can
use the mechanics bench for pulpil'
1t can have the iceman's cart lor
moving tabernacle; it can carry 'ie
Bread of Life to the sinner WHO "ouiu
otherwise never be willing to receive
that bread over the pulpit desk be
sides, the minister in such case uoeS
not have to be an ordained theoloslcai
student, but need be simply an earnest
consecrated layman pleading loi Oni 20
with the sinner who is standing Ny MS
side in the village store
saving a Sinful World
If all church members were 10 De-
come earnest and cOnsecrateu eNansei-
lists, it would not take very long LUZ
this whole sinful world to see the sun
rise burst of the millennial dawn. sure"
ly it 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. Wllllam
Morley Punshon, the great Engllsh
Methodist, once made the starting
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 a sinful world?
TO show the Importance of Chris
tian layman's work l 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.. Trumbulls 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
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
7 ,,tf lie IN n
Yale, but during his last year at col
lege he sent letter to his old chum
pleading with him to become Chris
tan That letter was the means of
saving H. Clay TrumbulPs soul. In
his engine room, upon the receipt of 1t,
he then and there gave his heart to
God.
He Immediately said to himself, "lf
the personal work of layman can do
so much in the salvation of an immor-
tai soul l will never make the mistake
my friend made with me by postpon-
ing for so long personal invitation
to another" So, the same night on
which he was converted, Mr.. Trum-
Dull NtlL W Ollt Vi LIS LCllo" WIN
men and told him he had been con-
verified. He urged his friend also to
accept Christ. This friend turned to
him and said: "Trumbull, your words
cut me to the heart. You little know
how they rebuke me. | have long
been a PROGRESSED follower of Christ,
and you have never suspected this,
although we've been in close associa-
ton in house and office for years. May
God forgive me for my lack of faith
fulness." Aye, may God today forgive
us all, ministers and laymen alike, If
we have shown the same negligence
as these two young men who came
into II. Clay Trumbull's life. May
God teach us, one and all, the power
of personal testimony for Christ. And
may we one and all be willing to make
the resolution D. L. Moody made
short time after his conversion-"l
here and now promise that no day
hereafter shall pass unless l have per-
sonally presented my Saviour to at
least one immortal soul. So help me,
Jesus, in my vow! Amen"
copyright, 1902 by Louis Klopsch.1