Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1905-12-16


Today and forever. How did God deal
with his disciples of old? Does ADra-
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-
erable friends? Did Joseph always re-
main a hireling, a slave and an out
east? Was Daniel always despicaDle
youth? Was David perpetual refugee
in King Achsh's court? Did Mordecai
always have to bend the knee to the
wicked Haman? Were only the bad
men of the Bible garmented in silks
and the good men clothed in ragsF
Nav. King Solomon once wrote, "Seest
thou n man diligent in his business, he
shall stand before kings, he shall not
stand before obscure men, That state
ment applies just as much to Gods as
ciples as to any one else. If man is
true follower of God, as was Joseph,
and. like him. faithful and diligent, he
will not be kept from success by his
religion. There are cases in when
God. caring for the best interests or
his child. sends adversely upon him, as
he permitted it to fall upon Job, that
his faith may be increased; but, taken
as a rule. we may rely upon it that the
godly business man enjoys the blessing
of God on his enterprises.
How He wns Paid.
Religion. curing men of dissipation
and improvidence, promotes their pros
perity. Many years ago | heard this
fact illustrated in powerful way. Ihe
head of the famous Waldensian church
of Italy was speaking in the Philadel-
phia church of which l was then as
sistant pastor. The Waldensan church
OF Italy is really the Protestant church
of Victor's kingdom 1t mostly repre-
sents the peasant classes. One day a
humble Italian heard that If he would
attend a Waldensan church he would
be paid for doing so. He went, eX-
Meeting to get money, but he found
something better than silver and gold.
He found Jesus Christ. He accepted
him rs his Saviour. Though he had
never been 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 to the mans
wife. He told the woman her husband
must leave the Waldensian church or
he would be spiritually destroyed. The
wife said, Father, | have something
I would like to tell thee" The priest
answered. Say on" Father, you say
nv husband will go to hell If he con-
tinues to go to the Waldensian church.
| want to tell you what our home was
before he went there and found Christ
Nv husband was drunkard. He used
TO work long enough TO make little
money. Then it would all go for drink
| We had no home, except hOvel. Then
he would come to that hovel 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 l had no bread
But since my husband found Christ II
the Waldensian church we do not live
i'm hovel. but in Il house. We nave
carpet upon the floor. We have
enough food TO eat. Instead Of my chill
dren running around half naked they
now have clothes and can go to school
Every morning he kisses me goodDy
before he goes to work. When the twi
light sets in he always comes home t(
| greet me with Il smile and to pet th'
children. When Saturday night comes
he brings me home his wages ant
throws the money into my lap as III
saws. There. wife, are enough funds fol
rent and clothing and meat for th'
coming week." Then the wife, witt
fears streaming down her checks, said
'Now. father. if finding Christ in TIT
Waldensian church means all that Il
our home do you not believe had bet
ter let my dear husband 20 and flint
Christ there Il little lOngerE'
Emancipation From Sin.
"Ah. yes" | said to myself when
heard that story, true gospel consecra
. ton means more than spiritual saliva
ton beyond the grave. True gospe
=, conservation means emancipation fror
sin. and emancipation from sin mean
, dresses for our babies and food for on
dining rooms and books for our librar
shelves and carpets for our floors an
beds in which to sleep. When JOSep
) gave himself in loyal service to God b
S got all these. And my friends, II yo
D consecrate your life to Jesus Christ yO
e will get all these also. DO not tax I
r me about Christianity being tinanci'
= failure. The most expensive altar
f which a man ever worshiped is the alta
!, of sin. May God help us. in Christ
:, name, to be his true and faithful SER
: ants. sincerely desirous Of doing h
y will in all circumstances, and then W
: shall be blessed whether we are in az
5 versity or financially prosperous,
t was Joseph.
II A step further in the analysis or
b prosperous life" we find Joseph NJ
It only rich enough to meet his financi
i obligations. but we also find him emo
n mously rich in the affections Of b
t. friends. He never seems to come ne;
IS to any one but at once he binds h
IS 10 him with links of steel. His emplo
5. er loves him. His fellow servants Io'
5. him. His old father dotes on hT
'e Even his jealous brothers, who at hr
ie did everything to destroy him. are i
d to reverence him. And, though You
10 day may praise Joseph, the Interpret
h of dreams; Joseph. the farsight'
ID statesman; Joseph. the wonderful ma
ID ager of Potiphar's household, prai
N Joseph. the lovable friend, for witho
N the love Of the associates with who
IL we are surrounded every worldly su
IT cess is "as sounding brass or tinklll
- cymbal."
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