The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-01

the WOfu ne IS uflNen dDout DS every H. fluence that surrounds him. Much of the so-called religious instruction is of a sen sationa character without the sincere milk of the word. This sort of teaching is without that purpose of heart that shapes the life. It is accidental, cir cumstantial influence that passes without making a real impression upon the life. It is not my intention to make any whole sale criticisms on eVangelists, but In my judgment there is great deal of late day evangelistic work that is not founded on the word. and therefore 1t is an almless kind of work that does not elevate Chris tian character.
 l understand the frailties of human na- ture. Relying solely on ourselves our purposes come to naught. but l thank God, al things are possible with God. He can take us in our nothingness and vlleness and cleanse us and make us strong. When we purpose in our hearts, relying on Him who is able to deliver us. then it Is we come to the true standard of Christian character.
 We can never rise so high in this life but what we shall be subjected to trials, temptations and dsappointments. but with this purpose in the heart, none of these things can move us. Losing sight of the purpose in the heart brings sor- row into our lives.
 Nnen the lfuln once taxes nOlu on the life, there is no time for faltering. Some times when we are drifting without a purpose, we stop to discuss questions. We talk to our friends with pretended sin cerity, and discuss various practices. We ask, do you really think it is wrong? God burns down into the life and fixes a pur- pose there; there is but one question Lord what wilt Thou have me to do? Onward, upward, heavenwardl
 hot al. al,. me? It means life freed from sin. It means a life filled with God. It means a life with a purpose to live for God A church filled with such lives could tear down the strongholds of sin and take the world for righteousness
 Of all men, the man who enters the holy ministry should purpose in his heart" The Great Searcher of hearts only can read the secret thoughts and de- sires of that life, which has been set apart to this grandest of all works. As he answers the call, he tries to draw back the curtain and look into the se- crets of heavens archives and see what God would have him do
 He thinks surely God is not with me He is able to do all things If He had sent me into this work He would have been with me and brought success to my efforts But instead of being with me, He has left me overcome by my failure. see nothing on which to base a hope. Alter all, l guess 1 just as well give up the work. It seems that God has sur rendered me to defeat. The leaders are all gone. My friends have all turned about They advise me to give it up. What shall l do? l cannot stand by my self.
 Just here he turns his mind to the past. He begins to review the history of Gods people. He recalls old Elijah's ex- perience. He sees him as he hides from the king. He sees him as he comes from 1 his hiding and shows himself to that same king. He sees him as he calls fire from heaven to consume the alter. He sees his as he stays the false prophets Then he says, surely God is true to His promises. Here he purposes in his heart" This is the victory. Like Elijah. he may feel that he is the only one left. but God will open his eyes and cause him to see the armies of the earth and sky Then none of these things move him.
 Dear brother, get a purpose fixed deep down in the innermost recesses of your life. Then there will be no room nor time for discussing possibilities and probabili- ties. The work. the work, God is looking after the results. The work Is mine.
 l cannot seperate my Christian char acter from my business. It must be meas ured by the men with whom l deal. l can not use il at home during the week. II must stand before every line of the day book and the ledger
 Try, if you can, to grasp the full mean ing of Daniels "purposed. It covers the whole of lif~ II is the settling. fix ing founding the whole of llfes plan.
 If these ever was a time when the Cumberland Presbyterian church needed men and women who have purposed in their hearts it Is now. My dear brother. we have no time for quibbling and con tending. It is not only our duty but our privilege to go forth. with pur- pose in the heart. conquering and to con quer. Let not ofrget that the word is the sword of the spirit The Bible Is Gods balance swung from the arm of omnipotence into which we must step and be weighed. When that day shall come. who can calculate the weight of But he purposed in his heart"
 This weight will not only pull down many of the big troubles in this life. but 1t will pull open the pearly gate and make an entrance into the city whose streets are paved with gold. and the music in which is made by the angels around the throne of God.
 A few years ago l knew a man who in early life purposed in his heart 10 live for God. Before the vigor of man hoon had gone, he was stricken down. One day ] sat by his bedside just as the setting sun was sending it's golden rays through the western horizon He looked out of the window and said Be yond the sunsets radient glow" He stopped and l continued for him, '"rhere is 8 brighter world l know" He had