The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-04-19
can he shown by q reference tn his-

OIL OpDOSltlOU uuu plllSl pei ScSut4oh'
driven into hiding in the catacombs
and caves under the earth she emerged
at length with doubled strength to
take her place with kings on their
thrones until to-day she is the might
lest single power on the face Of tie
earth. miGhtiest because a moral and
spiritual power. Though mighty as an
army she is harmless as a dove seek
ing only to help. to improve, to save.
For 1900 years she has been Unidentified
with and given impetus if not birth
to the greatest movements and most
notable reforms for the welfare of the
human race.
Ind next let me ask for what is the
family under obligation TO the church?
She throws the arms of her protection
about the divine institution of mar
riage, making it, and to the extent of
her ability. keeping it pure, honorable,
indissoluable. She frees and uplifts
woman from the bondage and degree
dation which are accepted as the law
of her being in heather and Oriental
lands. and teaches that as wife and
mother she is deserving Of the best adj
vantages, Of especial consideration, of
highest reverence and purest affection.
She breaches the divineness Of child
hood, that the wisest and greatest
must become as a little child in order
to enter into the kingdom of heaven;
that the care, the education, the moral
training of the rising generation is
that first duty Of the parent, the chief
concern of the state, the vital self
preservation of society. She gives
herself earnestly and unreservedly to
this cause, declaring that honor thy
father and thy mother" is a divine
commandment, that children obey
your parents is sanctioned by the pre-
cept and example of the Perfect Man
of the ages. She communicates a spir-
it and sends forth a cheer that blesses
the home and pervades the domestic
sphere and harmoniZes the hearts OF
those who form the household.
These things, taken altogether, would
seem to be enough to dispose all men
to be favorable to this ancient and
honorable and useful institution. Jesus
Christ established it; had the highest
possible idea Of its WORTH. gave His
life in proof of it; as an organization
it is the greatest producer of goodness
and all virtue on the earth; it enters
into and sweetens and sanctifes every
human relationship; it's history proph-
estes that what it has done in the past
it can continue to do in the future,
and yet there is bitterness and resent
nient felt toward it. Why? Because
many do not appreciate the reasons
just named for thinking highly Of it,
for Joining in with it. Does anyone
here tonight share in this dislike?
What is there in the church of God
you object to? If there be nothing.
you are without reason or excise for
being on the outside. If there be some
objection, the way to reach and right
it is to come in; you cannot touch 1t
on the outside. Do not stand off and
accuse and criticise. Come in and do
the work for God and man toward
which the spirit prompts you. AS an
official Of Jesus Christ's society l ex-
tend you an invitation, promise you a
cordial welcome from fellow Chris
tians, offer you help to carry out any
thing good you desire to accomplish
aid a place for meeting rent free. II
you are willing to do anything to i'm
prove yourself, to serve God. to help
others. you could not have a fairer Of
fer, a more cordial invitation, a better
opportunity.
The church and the family-you have
no family? then you need the church
all the more; come in and be q member
Of the family Of Jesus Christ, the larg-
est, happiest family OF earth. fou
have a family? The church is designed
to be in an i~nseparable part OF 1t, to DO
a necessary work in it and for it.
A family, but no home? This is the
condition of thousands and ten thou
sands in our streets. Then let the
church be your home. There is no
home complete without it. 1t can sup
ply much of the cheer, comfort, afec
ton that belongs to the happiest homes
on earth; it can fit US for a home eter-
nal in the heavens.
Our lives are set in the midst Of
many great dangers, trials, tempta-
tons; many remedies, palliations, pam
aceas are proposed for the evils that
confront US, but 1 believe that the only
sure relief for our troubles must orig
mate in the church of God, impelled
by what the spirit of God sayeth to
the churches. 1t is not even the Cos
pei, but the church by means Of the
gospel that is to reform the world.
In view Of what Jesus Christ did for
His church the inquiry becoming to
men is not what can I escape or shirk
or find fault with, but, Lord, what
wilt Thou have nae to do?"
In view of His demonstration Of love,
what is the proof in kind He has a
right to expect of us? Is 1t not con-
tanned in this saying, IF ye love Me
keep Ny commandments" and this
is the fulfilling of them. Come in first
yourself and then do what you can to
bring others for their good, for your
happiness. for the glory of God, in
.-- &c ,Icoo4sor fo~ Tac,,c Ithpicf