Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-12-17


Examine first the direct results Of a
Christians work. Every NAH. if he is
a true man. has conSecrated his mental
aL / physical and spiritual energies TO
some great purpose. The Christian
man. as IL minister. is trying 10 build
up Il church: as II lawyer. 10 build up Il
courtroom or an office practice; as a
physician. 10 have Il large number of
families aS patients: as Il merchant, to
have a big store. That pulpit or Of
tce Or store is to the man his chief
thought He works for il by day; he
dreams of il 10y night. If lie goes off
on IA summer vacation his mind and
heart are still anchored to that work
shop. even AZ ship out in harbor tugs
nj its chains. though il is unable TO
break away from its moorings. But
though Christian man may work
night and day for his professional
or mercantile purpose in life do you
for an instant suppose he is able to see
the infinite spiritual results that may
come from that life's work? Do you
suppose that physician has any con-
ception OF the amount of misery and
family trouble he saved when he per-
suaded that young wife and mother to
go To warmer climate and saved her
physical life. prcdisposed to consump-
ton saved il for her husband and her
children: DO You suppose that lawyer,
when lie drew up the will and last
testament. had any conception of the
amount of family trouble he averted
by making that last testament so
strong and true that il could not he
broken in the courts: Do you suppose
that n minister has any true concep-
ton of the vast amount of good a
simple sermon may do when he arises
TO preach: OF course some people
after a single sermon may praise il to
his ears. as some parishoners are al
most sure To do. but the greater work
of II sermon. as with an authors pen. is
never seen or heard by the preacher or
writer. Like Peter with his shadow.
most of the spiritual results of ser
mon appear when minister has gone
back To his home. his bed or his study.
The direct results of a Christians
professional work can never be fully
estimated hy the agent OF gospel
miracle. Let me illustrate my thought
from my own experience. | remember
some years ago when preaching in
Pittsburg there came up one Sunday
a terrific storm. The wind blew and
shrieked through those city streets.
The snowfiakes were piling themselves
up so that traffic was impeded. | came
out from my study that afternoon and
said TO II member of my family: 1T
does seem absurd to preach tonight.
No one will he there. If | do preach I
have half Il mind 10 save that sermon
l have been SO busily writing for the
past six days. 1t does seem II shame
for me to practically throw 1t away"
mo" answered my wife; you had
better preach it, You have always
made il II rule to give your people the
hest you had. If any one comes out
tonight he deserves your best. Be-
sides that. God has always most bless
ed your work on stormy nights" l
said: Yes. that is true. I will give
them the best | have | will preach
the sermon" That night the audience
was very small But while the few
people We're gathering | saw one wo-
man enter the church and come down
the aisle TO the left of the pulpit. She
seemed to be intensely interested in
the sermon. When il was finished and
ta 10
to the pulpit and said. Il will send you
n letter soon" Then she passed quiet
~ out.
| went home feeling that the night
was wasted But some time afterward
I heard of the result of that sermon.
That woman that night was deciding
whether or no she should desert her
home. Her temper even then was by
her side. urging her to Il life of sin
That one sermon on that stormy night.
under the power of the Holy Spirit.
turned the tide. She wrote to thank
was one of the most impressive lessons
l ever had. for it taught me that no
Christian mans work is unimportant.
even under the most unsatisfactory
and discouraging conditions. Our un.
suspected and unrepOrted influences
are so great for good that only Gods
recording angel has ledger big enough
to keep the records. Never. - minis
ter. lawyer physician. neglect your
work because of its seeming insignifi-
canoe. AS with Peters shadow. ii
may. all unknown to you. reach some
whose sin sick soul may be healed by
the Holy Spirits power working
through it,
Unconscious influence.
The public man has his shadow The
private man has his unconscious in
fiuence also The Christian lawyer.
doctor. merchant. minister. have their
direct influence when they are doing
their public work. They also have
their unconscious influence when they
are walking through the streets. and
sitting in the elevated trains. and eat
ing in their home dining room or in
public restaurants. when they think no
strangers eye is watching them and
no strangers ear is overhearing what
they saw They have their unconscious