Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-10-14

the death chamber. These awful "si-
lent places" should speak TO us today
in Gods name. they should rouse us to
the unfulfilled opportunities Of Chris
tian work AZ never before. Let me illus
trate my thought by u simple expert
cnce of my life which shows how a
man can he In the world and yet not
Of II. Many years ago. when college
student. ] had an opportunity to de-
liver few lectures during my Thanks
giving vacation In old New England.
Mother did not want me to 20. but !
wished to make u beginning in the
practice OF public speaking as soon as
possible ! left my Brooklyn home
with II happy heart. but when Thanks
giving eve drew near became more
and more hoinesick. oh. how homcsick
I was. That evening was In Boston.
| walked up and down the streets with
out friend. ! stood In the depot and
saw the happy fathers. with their big
bundles on their arms. heading for
home. Tomorrow was Thanksgiving. I
saw the young married folks. with
smile and good cheer. taking the grand
children back to the old homestead.
! saw even some who were dressed In
black smiling for the sake OF others.
But. though there We're laughter and
frolic and family gatherings all around
me, | WAS alone. | was in a silent
place" No one cared for me. No one
In all that big city spoke TO me except
on business. | was In Il silent place"
AS my mind runs back those twenty
years say TO myself and To you. How
many of us are spiritually living in
silent placesT"
Neglect of Opportunities.
Are your neighbors part OF you: Do
they gratefully watch you! When you
20 through the woods not one leaf
turns toward you unless you make 1t
turn. Why: The leaves know you not
When you go through the streets Of Il
great city you meet men: you meet
hundreds Of men: you meet thousands
Of men. DO they spiritually see you?
Are you spiritually in the city and yet
not part of IL: How many OF the men
you pass in daily life look up mt you
with II smile and say. You helped me
to Christ" you extended To me a
saving hand when was struggling in
the quicksands of n great temptation"
by the noble work of your life you
have been II Christian example which
has inspired me 10 lead Christian
life" How many of all the men and
women you have known IN this city
life can speak thus to you? One:
Ten! one hundredi y thousand?
Are you spiritually TO your friends
what | was in Boston many years ago?
Are you In one of the silent places:"
Then. my brother. II you have neg
lected the spiritual opportunities of life
for the great outside world. how have
you dealt with those Of your own
home! Did you never realize that
husband and wife could live side by
side for years and never know each
other In the deeper and In the holier
sense: Did you never realize that there
can be great silent places between
brothers and sisters. between parents
and children. between children and par
entsi silent places" there are in
which peoples souls do not commingle
and know each other In holy fellow
ship. My God. can II be that there are
spiritual silent places" between us
and the lives Of our dear ones: Can
II be that there Is any mother here who
has not talked with her children about
Christ? Is there any wife here who
has not talked to her husband about
Christ? Are there any men or women
here who have spiritual silent places"
In which God Is calling them TO go and
work In his vineyard? VIII you go
and labor for him?
copyright. 1906. by Louis Klopsch.1