Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-12-08

MI Then he may not only dishonor
his Master but dSappoint all his earth
ly friends who love him and who would
be proud Of his success as they will
grieve nj his failures
Temptations Of Old Age.
But rs | 20 on making these Christ
mas requests there comes 10 me Still
another which We should all he willing
TO make We should come 10 God and
say: 20 God. give me these blessings
II it be thy viii Then. bcseech thee,
take away my position Of influence aS
soon rs outlve my influence for good
or when am To meet temptation
greater than | can bear When
make tins plea especially make II
against the temptations Of the forties
and the tifties and the sixties and the
seventies as well as the temptations Of
the twenties and the thirties II Is
easy enough 10 pray for help 10 guard
against the temptations of youth. But
who specially prayS for help TO guard
against the temptations of middle and
old age? Yet for one always feel
that the temptations OF middle age and
OF old age are as great as II not greater
than the temptations OF the twenties
The young man has many restraints
surrounding him which the older man
has not. The young mans finances are
generally low To go TO destruction
styllshly and pay the way of your
friends there costs money. The young
man is living. as Il rule. In his IA
Tiers home and is carefully watched
by parents and by elder sisters He is
as n rule. looked down upon by the
world at large because he is young
But when n man becomes a successful
minister or lawyer or merchant then
comes the greatest test of temptation
When he becomes an employer instead
OF an employee and there is a large
account TO his credit in the bank. then
temptations come 10 him with all their
most subtle cnticcmeuts. Deliver me, .
Father from the temptations of middle
life and of old age,
but. though the words of my text
open wide the door OF invitation for
these Christmas requests. we must re-
member that God limits them to one
condition. Let Inc read the text 10 you:
Whatsoever We shall ask in my name
that will | do" II you are going to
make these Christmas requests you
must ask them in Christ's name. And
can you ask them In Christ's name un-
less you yourself are part OF Christi
Are you part OF Christ; Have you sur
rendered your heart to him. Can ii he
that. with all your hopes and plans for
next Christmas. you have not planned
TO celebrate that Christmas 10y becom.
ing one with Jesus
All. my friends, instead OF talking
about what God is going 10 give 10 you
let us first for one moment talk about
what you are going 10 give 70 God.
You say you are young and weak aud
helpless. You say You do not amount
10 much. But. my friends. you amount
to enough TO have in your power the
possibility OF giving pleasure even Ia
God. DO you not remember how when
you We're out In the country your little
baby girl went and collected few
weeds and came running to you. say
ing: Here. mamma. Here are some
flowers from baby Don't you re-
member how you caught your darling
up in your arms and placed kiss up
on her lips as YOU said. What. did my
baby think enough of me 10 give me
all these" Have you not those faded
weeds preserved among your precious
treasures: Are they not laid alongside
of the little yellow curl you cut OF Just
before her last sickness; And tell me.
IL your laby. now IN heaven. made you
happy 10y the gift OF few weeds will
not you make God happ. 10y giving 10
him the Christmas gift nj your immor-
tai soul: In my name In my name"
Are You ready 10 make your Christ
mas gifts In Chrisi's name lay first Civ
Ing your heart as Christmas gift for
him TO keep forever; ! tell yon verify
there Is JOY IN the presence Of God
over one sinner that rcpenteth. My
son. my son, give me thy heart