The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-10-11
IN THE A. r. P. CHURCH
Rev. Neel Pressly, Missionary TO Mex
leo, Addresses tho People.

Rev. Neel Pressly, Missionary TO Mex
leo, Addresses tho People.
According to announcement the Rev. Neel
Pressly conducted the service in the Associ-
ate Reformed church last Sunday night. ais
remarks were somewhat In the nature OF
report Of the work which he is doing and Of
the difficulties In which Protestant
preachers and protestant converts must face
the Republic of Catholic Mexico. Out of
ten millions OF souls he claims only sbout
half million protestants in that far on land.
The preacher has q benevolent face whose
beard Is streaked with gray, and his utter
ances attest the goodness Of his heart
It would be useless for Us to attempt even
synopsis OF what he said as to the needs OF
the Mexicann and our duty to relieve their
nm fortunate condition.
What he said In his prayers was orthodox.
and his words were not essentially different
from the petitions which are heard every
Sunday morning in our churches. Divided
under the various heads:
First-The eIordium in which the great
ness and the goodness and the glory OF the
Great Head OF the church was beautifully
set forth TO tho limit which the creature may
compliment his Creator.
Second-Thankfulnes for tho manifold
benefits and blessings which We have reoeiv-
ed and are enjoying.
Third-Particular and specific petition for
the many things which We may need.
Fourth-Blessing was asked for the pastor
in charge OF this congregation.
Ffftb-The officers OF this congregation
were specifically remembered inhhe preach
er's petition to the throne OF Grace.
si1lh-The members OF this congregation
wore presented for the guiding care and
Affection of the Father Of us all.
Seventh-Christians everywhere were
commended TO the grace and mercy Of an
overruling Providence.
Eighth-Here the preacher closed his peti-
tion, az ia SO often the case, just whom the
poor outcast most needed the prayers OF
tho righteous. His hungering . heart
may have yearned for the comforting words
which he never, or at most, seldom hears In
onr churches. Who ever prays that to the
weak ana to the fallen may be given the
will and the strength TO rise, that they
may walk In the paths OF plesssntness, and
become again o man and q child OF the
heavenly Father7 Who ever heard Q word
In behalf OF those who are at the parting OF
the ways, and whose eyes may be turned to
the Cross, while their feet may be carrying
them the wrong way far down tho road to
destruction? Who has ever heard . word
in behalf OF those who have wandered
far from the paths Of reotitude. And who
has made an appeal TO the throne OF grace for
their return7 Who has prayed for the
prodicaps restoration TO the forfeited place
in society and to the loving favor Of
our Lord7 Who has prayed that the pure In
heart might not be denled7 Who hasprayed
for the publication Of our impure hearts ?
A pure. heart ibeing always An acceptable
Offering at the throne OF grace, who has
sought 70 give us the will and the pswer to
purify our hearts, and TO create within us
the clean hearts that are pleasing and &C.
ceptsble TO the Lord? Why is It thst-the
reprobats and the outcast are forever ignor-
edf why should any bnt the righteous
ever enter our churches? When prayers are
said only for the righteous. IL 1t not on par
with the action Of the host who should at
meal time help the plates Of his own family
and leave the visitor to help himselfo or to 60
without nourishmentf