Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-01-19
SERMON ON
THE GREAT west


Of the ordinary channel Of discussions
on that subject. The principal points
Of interest. brought out by the speaker
were in reference to the great West Of
the United States, and the need OF
Missionaries being sent there to plant
the banner of Christ and save the
country for God.
Taking his text from Matthew 6-l0,
"Thy Kingdom Come. MIR. Evans
talked in substance as follows: "The
prayers recorded in the Scriptures rep
resent many varieties of life. There
is no long prayer recorded, although
reference is made to whole nights be-
ing spent in prayers. These were made
in closets, when the petitioner was
alone with his God. The Lords prayer
is comprehensive and clear. The SEN
tences are short, and have world of
meaning in them. Every Christian
says the Lords prayer, but how mean
ingless is it to very many 1t is too
frequently said merely as a custom or
form.
The frst petition in this prayer is
for the salvation of the human race.
In its breadth and sweep it takes in
the whole wide world for Jesus-"Thy
Kingdom Come !" The Kingdom of
God will overthrow the kingdom Of
the devil, and set the captive souls at
liberty. This prayer connects the one
who prays it, with the whole world.
II we do not mean it, better not say it.
God may take Us at our word. That
church helps itself most, which 10
most interested in the spread Of the
Gospel. The missionary spirit is the
surest means of spiritual growth
of the church. We should consider the
missi as our servants, represent
ing US and doing for Us. just as in the
time of war. the loyal citizen feels
that every soldier at the front is his
soldier. Missionary intelligence ia all
that is needed to fire rs with enthusi.
asm. There is nothing more thrilling
than the history of missions, or the
lives of missionaries.
have often wished that the church
in which l preached had a son or a
daughter of its own in the missionary
fielG, from whom. we could receive,
direct, the result of the work. But
we can keep in touch with these liV-
ing missionaries, for what they need
Is not merely financial support, but the
prayers and sympathy of Christians
at home.
The close fsted and penurious Christ
isns say: Yes, that is the way it goes.
I am tired Of this everlasting dinRing
for money. 1t mars the church SER
vices of today. These like many other
people, think OF missions and mis-
sionaries only in connection with for
eign lands, and they are opposed to
sending money away. Especially when
we have SO many heather at home.
am going to say something now
that may come to you as a great sur
prise.
OF all the mission fields in the world
today Christian America is the largest.
II the foreigners as they flock to this
country, were met with the gospel and
the religion of our Lord Jesus Christ
instead OF naturalization papers and
the ballot box,it would go long ways
toward settling the difference between
capital and labor. There is very
fruitful missionary field at home.
Then add two words to my text, so it
will read. "Thy Kingdom Come in
America
The West is vast empire. 1t will
soon control the affairs of this nation,
Place 60, 900, 900 of the United States
in Texas, and it would scarcely be
more densely populated than Ger
many. Put them in the Dakotas and
the population would not be more
dense than that of England or Wales.
Put them all in New Mexico and the
density would not be more than that
of Belgium. 1t is said that Texas
could raise the Worlds supply of cot
have remaining for cattle ranch a
territory larger than the state of New
York. The West will soon dominate
the East AS goes New York so goes
the nation, will soon give way TO the
expression of, AS goes the West so goes
the Unionr 1t will elect the presi-
dent and control the legislature. When
the centre of population crosses the
Mississippi, the west will have a ma
jority in the lower house and will
soon get control of the Senate.
The West will direct the policy of
the Government, and by virtue of the
population she is destined to have. will
influence aud determine our National
character, and therefore. our destiny.
The great missionary field of the
world is the United States. Since
prehistoric times population has
moved westward, as if driven by the
mighty hand of God. 1t still moves
Westward. The worlds sceptre pass
ed from Greece to Italy, from Italy to
Great Britain, and from Great Britain
the soeptre is to day departing. 1t is
passing on TO a greater Britain, to our |
mighty West, there to remain. for |
there is no further West Beyond is
the Orient.
The West is today an infant, but |
shall one day be giant, in each OF
whose limbs shall unite the strength |
If many nations. We must send labor
,rs into this. the greatest Of all fields,
or the harvest truly is great and the
aborers are few. There are some
,aroic miaSiODariaa op tha fYontipr