The Farmington times and herald. (Farmington, St. Francois Co., Mo.) 1902-1905, 1904-02-19
Christian Service.

Christian Service.
Rev. G.. T.. HicEok, pastor OF the Farming
ton Presbyterian Church,
The worlds greatest need is the
knowledge of Jesus Christ, His
power to save from sin, His ability
to lift man up to God. Millions OF
earth S inhabitants have never
heard of Christ and other millions
have heard only partially. How
can this need be satisfied By tes-
timony to Christ, the facts of His
life and work, the influence of His
teachings on those that believe. CT
necessity this testimony can be
borne only 10y those who believe.
Our own community has many
advantages, things that call forth
gratitude, 1t is known for its large
element OF culture and refinement
1t is n city of schools. Its moral
tone is not below the average. With
all Of this lis greatest need Is the
same world need, II knowledge of
Jesus Christ This can correct
evils that nothing else is able to de.
Stroy. Hundreds of our people are
not followers ut Christ aud other
hundreds are not regular Church
attendants.
We need more trstilying to
Christ The need is not for more
Churches Among he white popu
latiOn we have seven Churches more
or less faithful in their witnessing
to Christ. The need is for more
testimony To Christ from individu
ais.
Belief is the foundation of all
true testimony. II was the impcll.
| ing force among the early disciple,
Nothing but Il strong belief in tn,
Master, in His power to save those
lost in sin. in their own salvation
through Him, could have strength,
rnrd aud sustained them in THEN
work. Where this belief is found
it also imprls testimony. I'VE
cannot but speak the the things VT
have seen and heard " We ulso
believe and therefore speak 81
lrncc is impossible where belief is
strong.
The evidence ard measure of our
belief, lis quality and quantity, is
lis effect upon our own lives,
moulding and forming character
and compelling Us to testify to
Christ with the tongue. Both are
necessarily manifested. II we be
lIcyc that our irlluw.rrruturrS are
lost in sin, that Christ alone can
save them, that we have been saved
we must carry to them the glad it'd,
iugs of II possible salvation. In,
! difference to he lost estate of 9th.
ers Is Incompatible with the Christ
spirit. At the same time, if our
words are fair but our lives are
false, the world has right TO ques
tiou oar sincerity
Where aud how shall we thu.
ltrslIfy, The first aud most i'm
portant circle is that of home, tt
those bound to Us by the ties OF
blood Next, among our friends
How are you regarded among YOU
Intimate associates! As n genia
companion! a bright, witty ant
entertaining person? \ surceSsfu
acquisition to any social gathering
DO they ever think Of you as /
Christian! In your association
with them has Your life proclaimed
Christ BY your actions do the,
know you to be Il follower Of Christ
Do they say of you, he is n SINGER,
Chrlstiany Or in your conversa
ton is there n place for the Master
Il word for llim' Have you callet
them, IN His name, to partake o
Christ : Salvatiuni The third plac
for testimony is throughout tn
city among your acquaintances an,
even among strangers.
John and Andrew, following
Christ at the beginning of His min
iStry, first found their brothers
James and Peter. The four friend
bore the sick of the palsy into th
presence OF the Master. rh
woman of Samaria testified in tn
city of Christ and many believe
through her word. A simple invi
tation is all that is necessary if tina
is the limit of your ability. Com
and see" brought the apostles
James and Peter, to Christ. Nv
have also believed, and therefor
speak y We cannot but spea
the things we have seen an
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