Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1903-02-12

be able to separate us from the love OF
God which is in Christ Jesus our
Lord. from. 8-3S-39)
But lastly | think my mind re-
verted to this text because one word
that seems to me stands out very
prominently in it, or that at least
should be made prominent in a SER
mon whose mission is to instruct the
living rather eulogize the dead. That
is the word ''chosen''-"Mary hath
chosen that good part 1t is the
word that tells us how Mary secured
the "the one thing needful,' how she
came into possession OF 'that good
part" She chose it. 1t was not
thrust upon her any more than it was
| on Judas or plate, or scribe. or
Pharisee. 1t was hers because she
exercised her will, up to the point of
taking hold of it and appropriating it
to herself. That is the only way OF
securing it. Thanks be to God that
He is ever helping and urging us to
| do this very thing. If we do not
| have it the fault is ours.
1t is hardly necessary for me to ask
| how Nora obtained this highest good.
She was no exception to the general
rule. There was in her the exercise OF
the will, the movement of the heart
with reference to it. There was the
reaching forth of the hand and appro.
priating it unto herself There was
a time when she heard the Savior
| gracious "come" and she made ans.
wer Lord, l come" There was time
when she heard the mandate, ..choose
you this day whom we well will serve
and she gave answer Lord l choose
thee" There was time when she
understood that the conditions of sal.
walton were believing and confession
from. 10; S-13) and she said Lord
believe" Lord | confess" God was
not more gracious to her than he is tC
you or me. He will not thrust sal
walton upon us, but if we will choose,
1t shall be ours and that on the same
easy conditions. Oh! that Gods
spirit would make this plain to you
just now as He only can. OH that
He would constrain you now to make
Mary's choice, Nora's choice. Their
what? THAT good part" shall be
| yours and shall not be taken away
from you Then you will not neet
to look forward with dread to the day
of death knowing that it is well with
your soul.
| Wise men in this world make prep
aration against the day of want anG
we commend them for it. What shall
we say of him who makes no prepa-
ration against the great day of want:
| Is he not SHINING against his own
| soul? Aye, against the constrainino
| love of God? How shall we escape
If we reject so great salvation?" Heb
2-3) If you choose that good part
now, what Of the future that lies beyond
this life? | can not answer this queS.
ton in the fulness of scripture. 1t is
even declared that eye hath not seen
nor ear heard neither hath it entered
into the heart of men to conceive OF
the things that God hath prepared for
them that love Him.
But one thing | can assure you of,
and this you can appreciate, if now
| you make NOra'S choice. You can in
the future world be where Nora is.
and enjoy her company there forever
more. Oh, father, don't you want to
make Nora's choice now: husband,
| don't you want to? How is it with
you sister? And you sympathizing
! friends who are here in such large
numbers? | am sure that if Morals
voice were now audible you could hear
| her say: But one thing is needful, "
it is that good part which shall not
| be taken away from" Choose it now.
God hel p you so to do.
| And now may the Lord be merciful
| and gracious unto you. May he lift
| upon you the light of this countenance
| and give you grace: for His dear
| names sake we ask it. Amen.