Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-09-16

still In MS blood, and the redSkin seems
TO be unable to anchor his existence to
a farm and change his wigwam to a
stone fireside. But. though | believe
much IN prenatal influences. | also be-
lieye much In environment. II you
and place the right kind Of associates
about our young folks we can inevita.
bly, save them for God II we will.
How powerfully this truth came to
me few weeks ago. Our last nation
al holiday of Fourth OF July was
very busy one for me. was working
hard Ia my study. In order TO hasten
my departure for the country. when
dear friend of mine called and,
against my protesting voice. carried
me OF on an automobile ride. For
miles and miles we left Los Angeles
great reform schools of our state. The
steady throb OF the engine was stopped.
and we entered the buildings. situated
In one Of the most romantic places
ever saw for state reform school.
The flowers were there; the green hills
orchards were all there. but as went
through that institution my heart grew
sick. for I said to myself. Mature In
all her beauty is here. but child life In
all Its sinfulness Is here also" Then
! said again: Surprising one OF
my daughters should be taken out OF
her Christian home and In the most
critical time of life be compelled to
associate with these maynard girls,
how would she turn out. what chance
for good would she have? All. little.
very. very little chance.' And 80. my
friends. II by the help of the Holy Spirit
you and are going TO save the young
people we must throw about them the
right kind of Christian companionshlp.
We must WOO them to the church fell
lowship. We must make our young
peoples meetings 80 attractive that the
saloon and the billiard parlor and the
dance hall and the low theaters can
not successfully beckon them for
six nights Of the week and we
preach TO them only on Sundays.
We should cling TO the young folks
Of our cities. We should go after
them and hold to them all the time.
The Sunday school teacher who never
finds an evening TO visit her pupils
during the week will never have pupils
who will have time to sit ut her feet
on Sundays. The young people of
your church who never invite the
strangers to their houses or visit them
In their rooms or arrange semisoclal
never have the newcomers crowding
their services
Kindness 10 the Weak.
But. lastly. remark. we must try 10
liberate helpless men during their time
of physical lniirmties as well as dur.
Ing their time of physical strength and
good health OF all times during which
we can most appeal to helpless man
the best Is when he is lying upon an
invalid's bed or In times OF agoniZing
sickness. Sometimes d strong man or
woman IL not easily susceptible TO
kindness. But once let the strength
leave the arm, once let the brow be-.
come hot and feversh. once let the
stomach refuse TO retain its nourislI.
ment, and then the slightest kindness.
as rule. will bring tears OF gratitude
to the eye and words of thankfulness
TO the trembling lip. But. though the
sick bed Is the greatest and best of all
pulpits over which to preach. how few
Of us ever embrace the opportunity to
minister there In Gods name rs we
should. Indeed. as horses will nearly
always shy and run away from sick
horse which is lying upon the ground.
so think well people. as rule. shun
and fear sick people.
''Why do you not spend your sum
mers In Ashcville or the Adlrondacks
or In Colorado or In Redlands of south
ern California? Are they not bcauti-
full places!" | ask you. Yes" you
answer. but L cannot stand the sick
people. Wherever you go in these
places you find them there. weak and
pale. Coughing. coughing. coughing,
appalling coughing. Is continually
heard on all sides. Sickness is TO me
very depressing Why. dislike TO
look even nj the windows Of "A hospital.
As for going through hospital. !
would no more do II than | would
enter the operating room and zee a
surgeon cut of mans leg" But. my
friend. did you ever stop TO think that
as others are sick SO some day you
may be sick: Then will you not need
comfortf Week In and week out some
OF these invalids have TO lie In bed
with no callers. No one comes 20
bring them flower or utters word
Of prayer or speaks 10 them even one
word about Christ. yet by their very
sufferings these sick people are In just
right mood TO reach UP and take Christ
by the hand. II you will only show
them how.
But before | close ! bethink myself
Of one fact Perhaps you are not yet
fitted to go forth on these errands OF
gospel mercy. Why! Perhaps you are
today hearing Gods voice which spoke
ut the tomb Of the dead Lazarus and
yet you yourself are sitting or stand
ing before me bound hand and foot