Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1905-08-03

whom he had persuaded to leave her
lawful husband. She, doubtless, was
anxious to learn Of this Jesus who
had caused such a connection among
the people Of her nation, and herein
may have been the cause of the apos-
ties first invitation to the palace.
It is said that the greatest wonder on
earth is man himself, and indeed l
believe this to be true. Take, for in
stance, this man, Felix, and he is but
the type of a numerous family. No
man who walks the earth to-day who
may not find a representative in some
Bible character, and it you diligently
study the different characters recorded
in the sacred book you can easily
prove the truth OF this statement
Felix lived in sin. Paul knew his man,
and he suited his sermOnN to his audi
ence. I am not ure that that sermon
would escape criticism in these days.
I am of the opinion that many good
souls would say it "a not evangeli-
cal. He was invited to preach con-
corning the faith in Christ, and his
sermon was on Righteousness, temper
ance and judgment to come-tOpics
that any good nan of any faith might
well discuss. Many might say, is that
Christian preaching? I say it is, and
more than that, it is the kind that this
age needs, and we need it every day.
If Paul had begun an argument re-
specting Christ's divinity, or resurrec-
ton, or any kindred topic, he would
probably have had a most interesting
discussion with Felix, but think you
that he would have made him tremble?
Most men think that Christianity is
~ oo1o~y No. Ch~ic&io rS%r Sc roaro1;fvy
in the light Of eternity. And that is
us with it's close reasoning and high
that is the best preaching which makes
us, if we are living in sin, turn uneasily
in our seats and tremble as we listen
to its truths. The law is our school
master to bring us to Christ, and it is
US that we seek the grace which is in
Christ and which came by Christ. The
end of preaching is not to make men
t~heologians, the end Of preaching is t0
build up character, and while some of
us may be far enough IN the road to
hear rmo on the deep things of
God. I am not pessimistic when I say
that, taking the world in it's totality,
most of us are still where we need to
be reasoned with concerning righteous
ness, temperance and judgment to
come.
preaching to the tines is a favor
lite expression nowadays. It's purpose
seems to be that men are to be amused,
| as Felix had Paul in from the prison
to amuse him. He and he alone
| breaches to the times who makes us
~Ac%1oc1 hr c1o r-;,, = tho dam pdc IF
| Gods eternal law and then points the
way clear up to Calvary and to Him
who said "Come unto Me all We that
labor and are heavy laden and l will
give you rest" These are eternal veri-
ties and they fit all times. All others
change and pass away with the chang
ing hour; social. political, aye, ever
theological questions have their days
and cease to be, but the eternal need
is forgiveness and the everlasting
want, rest for the soul.
And SO Paul reasoned Of righteous
ness to a man living in sin, of temper
ance to a woman who lived to crafty
every desire and wicked passion, and
of judgment to come to two who never
looked beyond the present world-the
first steps, the first necessary steps to
the pointing out of Him in whom alone
is forgiveness and from whom alone
we have the power to live so that at
His coming in glorious majesty to
judge the world we may not be@put to
shame.
And now, in the last place, we notice
that this preaching was convincing.
That is clear enough, for a man does
not tremble without occasion. A man
does not tremble in the presence of
spiritual truth except his intellect has
been reached and his conscience
touched. Paul did his duty, but Felix
shirked his and turned his back upon
the truth. He trembled, but he did
not move Are there not many men
like him with us to-day? go thy
way" said he, "when I have a conve
nient season I will send for thee" Is
not that what we often hear. But
when do those who say SO find that
that convenient season yer comes!
What do we think of the man who in
matters of this world, is given to put
ting off and waiting to another time;
Our worldly wisdom tells us that such
a mar will never come to any good
and no n has any confidence in him
You see through him, and smile at al
his excuses for delay, and think you
that II q man cannot deceive his Eel
lows in this respect he can deceive Goo
and his W soul? The Bible knows OF
no time but now. "Now is the accepted
time" And this is true not only OF
the greatest of all transactions-our &C
ceptance of Jesus Christ-but of all thu
duties hat devolve upon us as Chris
tan men and women. We may have
to-day an opportunity of doing good, O
of receiving good. If we let it slip tina
! door that opened to us will be shut
; and it will never be opened again. Los
) opportunities do not return. Other
may come, but the lost cIes come no
!, again. Let us, then, seize every oppor
l tunity, let us realize that the presen
. only is ours, and as we hear the wor'
Of life let us embrace it in its fumes
! and live in it's strength.
Consequences of Neglect.
@ Fatal consequences follow not onl
positive wrongdoing, but simple mes
lect of duty also. The ten foolish vii
l. gins in the parable were guilty. Q