The Tupelo journal., 1904-04-22

headquarters a. once, and letting God
commend if commentator were due, he
encouraged the self-satisfied feeling
which filled his heart. His thought ali
conferred in self, and what he had dona.
He, the servant of God, had obeyed
Gods voice, and departed early that
morning for Bethel. He had spoken
Gods message. he had refused the
kings meat, and had started Rack ar
other way-surely, he had done well.
He had obeyed God. Why should he
not rest here under the oak nigh to
Bethel? He was entitled. he thought.
to a little quiet ease after his long jour-
ney, his splendid sermon, and his re-
fusal of an invitation to dinner. His
thought was all of self, and when one
tarries by the way to think of self, and
what self has wrought, he is In great
peril. How very, very often the Chris
tan falls into this snare. Faithful serv-
ice back at Bethel is taken as warrant
for self-indulgence on the outskirts of
Bethel. Obedience, partially rendered.
is deemed sufficient excuse for the seek
ing of ones W ease and pleasure.
Have you never sought to ease your con-
science. for some Questionable indul-
gence by recalling the attendance on
church, the Saobath-school class
taught. the errand of mercy performed.
the religious call made? 1 have. and
- 1,J,, Ja;pr u,ho% fbic Drcpnof ~
old did-sitting under the oak in ease
and comfort when you should be we'll on
your way back to Judah, there to meet
your Lord, there to receive at His hands
refreshing and blessing.
IF THE man of God had not loitered on
| the way, he never would have been
overtaken by the wicked prophet Of
Bethel. All kinds of temptation como
to one when thus delaying on the path
way of duty. The man of God was in
viting disaster just the moment he light
ed from his ass and stretched his weary
body on the green sward under that en-
ticing shade, and you and | invite similar
danger and defeat when we delay in our
Christian service. We run well for q
time, and then failure comes. Why? SO
often we ask ourselves. We point to
the service behind and think that it is
strange that we could have so grievous-
ly fallen, when we were serving so 10y
ally and faithfully. But the secret OF
our failure, the reason we have turned
aside, is because we have stopped doing,
and have allowed the false prophet OF
temptation to overtake us and lead us
astray. Many a temptation would fail
to overtake the Christian if he were
faithfully going forward on the pathway
of duty which led back to Judah, the
place from whence you had started at
Gods command, and the place to which
you must again come before eating and
drinking and taking your ease. In the
quiet communion of your closet you re-
ceive your commission for service. God
speaks to you. He tells you of service
to render, of a message to deliver, and
you go forth to obey the command. But
instead of returning to the closet after
the task is done, you rest by the way
side and temptation and turns you
aside. Mr.. Moody, when holding meet
ings at st. Louis at one time, was APP
preached after the service by n of his
ushers who told him that there was a
group of the most influential men and
women Of the city who wished to be in
troduced to him. This was very flatter-
ing attention, surely. Mr.. Moody had
just delivered. one o. his most powerful
and effective sermons. and was busy here
and there with the inquirers. while this
company of distinguished people wait
ed to meet the great evangelist. But
when Mr.. Moody had finished all the Lord
had given him to DO, he quietly, and un-
observed, slipped out of the rear door
and went to his room. And later, in
explaining his apparent discourtesy, he
said that he feared to tarry for the
words of adulation ard 1attery: he must
get back to his room and report first
to his Lord Who had sent him forth.
Oh. that we were all more obedient anG
faithful.