The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-04-02
PREACH THE GOSPEL.

And ne sSiu uhNo
all the world and preach the gospe' " I
the whole creation. Mark xvi"-lS'
There has been considerable erlu-
cism Of the methods employed by th'
both in Portland and AS
toria as to their methods OF preachihs
the gospel Criticism is an inherent
r,ght which all people have right
n exercise, and it's effect is measured
from the standard from which 1t emi'
mates It is impossible for all classes
of people to believe alike. No TWO
churches of any denomination agree
unon some of the fundamental prin-
ciples Of the Bible. Different ministers
Mace different constructions upon var
ious passages of scripture, but all
a1rAa that they are striving to reach
the kingdom of heaven. even though oy
different routes.
Some ministers believe that the only
vay to reach the unconverted. the most
wicked in cities; the young men VINO
never attend church. is by religious re-
v,vals. 70 the extent of visiting the
slum districts Of city. and even oy
preaching in saloons. Others believe
that such methods are demoralizins
and that the only way to reach the
masses is by personal visitation and
personal appeals. Yet all are trying
to reach the kingdom of heaven, only
by different routes.
ia minister of the gospel can go out
on the streets in a quiet ana assum'
ing way and influence a young man tc
attend his church and by so doing tha'
voung man is prevailed upon and does
lead a different life, such work is tc
be commended, not condemned. II
minister believes that he can bes
reach the unconverted by series o.
reyivals, and If he goes into the sa'
looms and conducts a service and on
young man is saved, he has done
grand work, even if so others are con
verted and backslide.
81 say unto you, that even so ther
shall be joy in heaven over one SHINE
that repenteth, more than over 80 an
Q righteous persons which need no re
pentence."
OF course. everyone must find nj
own spiritual food. Ministers and &c
cIesiastics have sometimes made mis-
takes of offering exactly the same die
to different palates. You cannot com
pei uniformity in this particular. IN
fact that there are so many religion
in the world and so many diherer
forms of the same religion shows thu
a man must have a considerable latt
tude in the means which he emplo!
10 worship his creator, or the work
does in the Lords vineyard and II
manner of doing the work, and to Gu
tjvate his own spiritual life. Heav
has gates on all sides of 1t, but |
point is. the man should feed his spi
with some .pabulum as faithfully as
feeds his body and recruits his men
energies.
If revivalists can come to Asto
and stir up the great commonwea
by A series Of revivals; and one you
man is saved. the question is not
what means were employed, but
result. Look within. The process
spiritual upbuilding begins wher
man gazes searchingly into the dep
Of his own nature; for there, first
all he will find his God. Men sol
times do not really know themsel'
tbev have not discerned that whicl
best within them; that which Is
tie fragment of the divine life 1t
If in the midst of the tuInult and
of our seething days, some evang
comes along and rescues US, what
ters it what methods are employed
long as the object is attained?
Look around, see what forces
fellowmen to live strong, victor
lives. Find those who exemplify,
spiritual starvation, but spiritual h
TO such a degree that they can ma
positively contagious. The mann'
spreading the contageon should be
IN the individual conscience and
clination, and harsh criticisms are
ductive Of no good And back tnr
the ages and centuries one ca
gazing upon those great souls wh'
in the worlds memory because
mirrored in their own lives the STR
and peace and the glory of Cod