Milford chronicle., 1903-08-07

atsthe altar. Side by side you will be
in. the grave. Side by side you may be
in eternal despair.
Church Membership.
But 1 would like to speak a word
before I,close to the good, moral, Chris
tan man who believes in God and yet
IS not a church member. You are
ready to confess him in private con-
versation and yet not willing to public
" confess him AS a church member
though in that way you might help
the women who are laboring in the
gospel. In spite of orthodox doctrine
l shrink from the thought that you
wifi ever be ultimately destroyed. But
this l do kAow-your actions in refus-
ing church membership may be the
means ofsdestroying scores and scores
OF immQrtal souls.
That church membership is mighty
help to every man In his struggle To-
lead a truer, purer nObler %1~istian
life there is no doubt. EN~ true
Christlan is a better Christian when he.
with a holy purpose, gives his ale
glance to some one church and allows
his name to be placed upon the church
roll. You may still be a Christian and
yet not 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 impor-
tant 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 public
Is confessed faith in God. He has had
no sacred childhood. He Is looking at
you now and saying, well, If Mr.. So
and-sO can be good moral man and
not Il church member l guess l can"
Dare you. oh. moral man. allow that
boy to 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 re-
straining influence Of church member
ship? Do It without public profession
Of Jesus Christ before the church al
tars?
Being able by the grace of God to
persuade a good. moral, upright man tc
publicly profess Jesus Christ in q
church aisle was the means l believe,
by which l have accomplished my
greatest single work for good in the
gospel ministry. That man was one Of
the leading millionaiTes Of Pittsburg.
~ ! lii = IN
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 good, moral man and not as a
Christian man. The young man said;
Well. If I can be as straight and true
as Mr. SO-and-So, that is all l ask. I
guess my chance for heaven will be
first class" l heard Of such remarks
made by the young men. made up
MY mind 1 would carry them straight
to that millionaire 1t was morally
the hravest act I ever did. | was a.
that time merely boy and therefore
it was doubly hard. First l prayed
over the matter. felt that l had a
right. and "a full right, 10 90 to God and
ask him for what was on my heart.
Then | started for that rich mans
house. l rang the bell and entered the
parlOr When he came down | began
to plead In the name Of my Christ. l
said TO Him: Mr. So-Gnd-So, l know
YOU are a Christian. No man with your
habits and your bringing up could help
being Il Christian. Your Christian
mother and Christian grandmother be-
sides your Christian dead wife, were
al 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 responsible
for their lives? Dare you refuse to
publicly confess Christ and turn these
young mems minds toward the cross,
which Is the source of all your
strengthT' Tears began to we'll up out
OF the great financier's eyes. They
rolled down upon his cheek and his
beard. He extended his hand and took
mine and said. Mr.. Talmage, do you
think that the young men are saying
that about me?' | answered, Il knew
they are" Then he said. Il will pub
licly profess Christ as my Saviour in
the church aisle at our next com
munion."