Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1905-08-17

gives you peace of mind and joy Of
soul, not merely because it is to your
highest and best interest-this would
be looking on the side of self only-he
eliminates all selfish taint from his
counsel by putting emphasis upon the
educative effect Of Christian conduct
upon the sentiments and convictions
Of hostile and heather neighbors. This
is your chance, he intimates; this the
means-your good works-impress
them, win them, help them, in this
way, by this means.
ALI these considerations, this motive,
these means are of present moment,
OF up-to-date interest and may be of
present application Though living in
nominally Christian age and land,
practically the Christian is still sur
rounded by On envious, evil-speaking,
backbiting world. They who are not
with us are as critical, as watchful, as
eager to Gnd wherewith to accuse. en-
barrass, expose as ever in the days of
the apostle. Not only our own souls,
not only our morals and principles are
in our keeping, but the safeguarding
and growth of the church, the puri6ca-
ton and moral uplift Of society, the
putting down Of iniquity and sin and
yes, verify, the Christianization of the
home, the family, the community, the
city, the salvation of the world. Every
Christian is as a city set on hill-not
to be hid-and men will be won to
Christ in proportion as each ard every
Christian feels responsibility for the
unchurched masses, for those not in
the Good Shepherds fold, and just in
proportion as each and every one comes
up to the measure of his responsible
ity. Translated into modern appliea-
ton, the apostles meaning to you and
me is this: You Christians, so regu-
late your desires and take account Of
your ways that. your life will be be-
coming I'd WORTHY CT your calling, and
thus the heathen, the Indifferent, the
estranged and prejudiced people around
you, prejudiced against Christ, will be
prepared to receive the Gospel when
it is urged upon them." We may try
IN thousand ways to reach them, to
interest them in religion, to Christian
re the masses, the institutional church,
the annual dinner or reception, the
church congress, the revival and tent
and out-of-loor service, the musical
service, ornate ritual, eloquent dis
courses, scholarly essays, novel fea-
lures ad ilfinitum, but the things that
count more than any of these, ehan all
these in impressing the world and
gaining adherents, in making converts,
Is the example, the daily life and con-
versation of the individual Christian.
Gospel preaching must be supported
and attested by Gospel living, church
going by Christlike service during the
work days. The ungodly often set up
h; ;<I,o e%o nd hn GhricfiQn
than the Christian for himself. 1t is
the worlds unconscious tribute to holi-
ness. This standard exacts exemplifi-
cation of righteousness, administering,
| kind consideration for others, self-de-
NAL, self-sacrifce. They watch with
an eagle eye for any infringement upon
| or deviation fro.u this standard. When
the Christian goes wrong there is
| triple wrong done to himself, to the
| cause he represents and to those who
| look up to him for an example and
| leading toward godly life. And by
godly Life do not refer to mere neg
| ative form of goodness. e., abstl-
nence from all the sinful desires OF tho
flesh--only this and nothing more.
| We must endeavor to make our con-
duct attractive and Winning, especially
when we take into account or have
dealings with those who are unfriendly
to Christianity. We oftentimes have
to do with Christians who are curt,
| crusty. severe, unkind and disagree
able in word and manner. We should
| not be surprised tc hear the remark.
| and we cannot but sympathize with 1t
| when made with reference to sucn
/ cases: 'If this be Christianity, pray
/ thee have me excused. want none or
/ it,
In order to do our part there must be
not merely a refraining from what is
unbecoming and contrary to the Chris
| tan profession, but there must be
positive showing and shining forth in
kindness and love of the divine life we
feel within. Not only correct lives, but
beautiful deeds. In accounting for
what had impressed and convinced ana
converted the world we must give high
rank to beautiful deeds. The history
of the Christian Church literally teens
with, them When the pagans deserted
their near relations in plague &nu
left the afflicted ones to die like dogs
Christians came and ministered TO tne
sick and dying. When the pagans leIt
their dead unburied after battle ana
cast their wounded into the stree,s'
the Christians FASTENED to relieve tlle
suffering and give the corpses decent
interment,