Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-12-16

disciple of Jesus H. it is To he strict
~ honest they think he must dress In
rags and have no roof which he can
claim as his own. Yet the direct oppo-
site Of this supposltlon Is true. God
has promised that those who seek first
the kingdom of heaven shall not lack
any good thing
Jesus Christ Is the same yesterday,
today and forever. How did God deal
with his disciples of old! Does Abra-
ham come before us dressed In rags?
Was Joseph bankrupt? Did job have
10 beg his bread after he had remained
true To God and forgiven his three mis-
cradle friends: Did Joseph always re-
main hircllng. II slave and an out
EAST! Was Daniel always II despicable
youth? Was David a perpetual refugee
In King Achish's court: Did Mordecal
always have To bend the knee to the
wicked Hannah: Were only the bad
men of the Bible garmcnted In silks
and the good men clothed In rags?
Nay. King solomon once wrote. "Seest
thou man diligcnt In his business. he
shall stand before kings. he shall not
stand before obscure men" That state
ment applies just rs much to Gods dis
ciples MS To any one else. Ii Il man Is u
true follower of God. as was Joseph,
and. like him. faithful and diligent. he
will not he kent from success by his
religion. There are cases in which
God. caring for the hest interests OF
his child. sends adversely upon him, as
he permitted il to fall upon Job. that
his faith may he increased: but. taken
us a rule. we may rely upon 1t that the
g0dly business man enjoys the blessing
Of God Oh his enterprises.
How He Was Paid.
Religion. curing men of dissipation
AMI improvldence. promotes their pros
pcrity. Many years ago ! heard this
fact Illustrated in II powerful way. The
lead of the famous Waldensian church
Of Italy was speaking in the Philadcl-
phia church of which was then as
sistant pastor The Waldcnsian church
of Italy Is really the Protestant church
Of Nictor's kingdom. Ii mostly repre-
sents the peasant classes. One day Il
humble Italian heard that II he would
attend II Waldensan church he would
be- paid for doing so. lie went. ex-
pccting TO get money. but he found
something better than silver and gold.
He found Jesus Christ. lie accepted
him rs his Saviour. Though he had
never been Il good Catholic. he nom
inally had given his allegiance to the
church of Rome. No sooner did the
priest of his town hear what the man
was doing than he went 10 the mans
wife. He told the woman her husband
must leave the Waldensian church or
he would he spiritually destroyed. The
wife said, Father, ! have something
| would like To tell thee The priest
answered. Say on" Father. you say
my husband will 20 to hell IL he CON
tinucs To 20 10 the Waldensian church.
] want To tell you what our home was
before he went there and found Christ.
My husband was IL drunkarl. lie used
to work long enough 10 make little
money Then II would all go for drink.
We had no home. except u hovel. Then
he would come 60 that howell when he
was drunk and beat me and knock
me down Often. both by night and
by day. | have heard my children cry
Ing with hunger. and had no bread.
But since my husband found Christ In
the Wal,lensian church we do not live
In hovcl, but In house We have
n carpet upon the floor We have
enough food To eat. Instead of my chill
tlrcn running around half naked they
now have clothes and can 90 To school
Every morning he kisses me goodby
before he goes TO work. When the twi-
light sets in he always comes home to
greet mo with Il smile and To pet the
children. When Saturday night comes
he brings me home his wages and
throws the money into my lap as he
says. There. wife. are enough funds for
rent and clothing and meat for the
coming week." Then the wife. with
tears streaming down her cheeks. said.
"Now. father. II finding Christ In the
Wal.lcnsian church means all that to
our home do you not believe had bet
ter let my dear husband go and find
Christ there little longcr!"
Emancipation From SIN.
"Ah. YES | said to myself when l
heard that story. true gospel consecra-
ton means more than spiritual saliva
ton beyond the grave. True gospel
conservation means emancipation from
sin, and emancipation from sin means
dresses for our babies and food for our
dining rooms and hooks for our library
shelves and carpets for our floors and
beds In which TO sleep. When Joseph
gave himself in loyal service TO God he
got all these. And. my friends. II YOU
ronsccrate your life TO Jesus Christ you
will get all these also. DO not talk 20
me about Christianity being financial
failure. The most expensive altar ut
which n man ever worshiped Is the altar
Of sin. May God help US. In Christ's
name. 10 be his true and faithful =
ants. sincerely DESTROYS Of doing his
will In all circumstances. and then We
shall he blessed. whether we are in ad-
versity or financially prosperous, as
WAS Joscvh,