The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-09

God my aod." once heard Of nn Afri- can chief who came one day to il tpi5- Blonary and said, 'Misgiopary, if l nc- cept Jesus Christ will l To payed2' Yes" answered Inc missionary, well missionary. ss my father did ret accept Jesus chriet. VIII he be eterrnIiy de- stroyed. "yesh said the mis- sionary. not seeing whither the question led. And my grandfather and great grandfathers. are they all destroyed be- cause they did not accept Jesus chsist?" Yes" answered the missionary, with out thought of the effect Of his answer Then the African chief lifted high his head as he answered.; Missionary reject your Christ. I do not wish to be separated even in death from my fath- CT l prefer to be eternaily destroyed as he Is eternally destroyed"
 "Oh, sinful husband glorying in the intensity of your wife's affection for you. have you ever thought of the ex- tremity to which that love may carry her? What if she should so desire to be with you that, rather than be separated from you after death, she should give up Christian usefulness-give up her God and heaven? What will be your remorse if you have to lament not only the loss of your own soul but the eter- nal woe which love of you has brought upon her? Today you may be deciding not only your own eternal destiny. but you may be destroying your Christian wife's spiritual welfare. Side by side you were at the altar. Side by side you will be in the grave. Side by side you may be in eternal despair
 Church Membership.
 But I would like to speak word be- fore l close to the good, moral, Christian man who believes in God and yet is not a church member. You are ready to confess him in private conversation and yet not willing to publicly confess Him as a church member though in that way you might help the women who are la- boring in the gospel. In spite of ortho- dox doctrine I shrink from the thought that you will ever be ultimately destroy ed But this I do know--your actions in refusing church membership may be the means of destroying scores and ssores of immortal souls.
 That church membership is a mighty help to every man in his struggle to lead a truer, purer, nobler Christian life there is no doubt Every true Christian is a better Christian when he, with holy purpose, gives his allegiance to some one church and allows his name to be placed upon the church roll. You may still be a Christian and yet not a church member. You may be able by the grace of God to be a good, moral, upright Christian man in spite of never having taken this important step. You may have had a gospel bringing up that has helped you but what about that young clerk who is watching you? He has not yet publicly confessed faith in God He has had no sacred childhood. He is looking at you now and saying: Well. if MT. So-and=So can be a good moral man and not a church member I guess l can" Dare you, oh moral man, to let that boy make such an excuse? You know you had hard time to keep your Christian integrity, in spite of all your sacred past. Do you feel that that young man can safely run the gantlet of sin as you have done without the restraining infiu- ence of church membership? Do it with out a public profession of Jesus Christ before the church altars?
 Being able by the grace of God to persuade a good. moral, upright man to publicly profess Jesus Christ in a church aisle was the means. l believe. by which I have accomplished my greatest single work for good in the gospel ministry. That man was one of the leading million aires of Pittsburg. Every one who knew him was ready to testify that he was square through and through. His word was as good as his bond He was the soul of honor. Yet year in and year out he went among the business men of the Smoky City as a good, moral man and not as a Christian man. The young men said Well, if l can be as straight and true as MT. So-and-So, that is all l ask. l guess my chance for heaven will be first class" | heard of such remarks made by the young men. l made up my mind l would carry them straight to that millionaire It was morally the bravest act I ever did. I was at that time merely a boy and therefore it was doubly hard First l prayed over the matter I felt that I had right and a full right, to go to God and ask Him what was on my heart Then I started for that rich mans house. l rang the bell and entered the parlor. When he came down l began to plead in the name of my Christ. 1 said to him; MT So- and-So. l know you are a Christian. No man with your habits and your bringing up could help being a Christian. Your Christian mother and Christian grand mother, besides your Christian dead wife were all members of the Old Second church. But what about these young men who are looking up to you as an example? Dare you and will you be re- sponslble for their lives? Dare you re- fuse to publicly confess Christ and turn these young mems minds toward the cross, which is the source of all your strength?' Tears began to swell up out of the great fnanciers eyes. They rolled down upon his cheek and his beard. He extended his hand and took mine and said, MT. Talmage, do you think that the young men are saying that about me?' I answered. 'I know they are" Then he said 'I will pub lcly profess Christ as my Saviour in the church aisle at our next communion"
 Wear the Gospel Armor.
 In all the history of the Second Pres byteran church there never went forth a greater religious influence than on that day. In the bank, over the counter, on the street and in the home hundreds of men were saying: Have you heard the news? Mir So-and-So has become Christian. He joined the church last Sunday" And from that one moral Christian mans action of publicly pro- fessing Christ in the church I believe hundreds of young men were brought to lneel at the foot of the cross Oh. moral Christian man, do not suppose that while you are outside of church fellowship you can really help the women who are la boring in the gospel Do not be He's sian or one who Is fighting for Ameri- can liberties when you are not an Amer ican. Be born again. Be Christian church member Place your name in big black letters upon the muster roll of the church. As Christian, wearing [, gospel armor and fighting under the gos- pei standard. throw your whole soul and heart into this Christ struggle against sin.
 There is a very common sign upon all tho Noord fancae today. uhfch Horny