Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1906-07-27

Ii we would stop long enough to
think what the redemption of the
world cost, all of the way from
Bethlehem to Calvary by the way of
Gethsemape, and how we ourselves
enjoy every blessing and privilege
that Bible land and beautiful re-
ligiou gives, | just think we would
be sorry for the past and would be
no longer deaf or Indifferent to the
commands-the scales would fall
from our eyes and we would tarry in
an upper chamber somewhere as the
disciples of oil until consecrated
and endued with power for accept
able service. We would know what
a good thing had been committed
unto us, and would just long to do
beautiful things for God and hu-
manity.
know that the subject of Mis-
sions is not always an attractive one
to an audience, but to every think
ing mind and faith established heart
The subject admits of DO discussion
as long as there is a soul unsaved at
home or abroad.
1t is the plain command to go or
send the gospel to every creature,
and is it not enough for us to know
that it is "Thus sayeth the Lord?"
So it is with real confidence that we
commend the subject to you, and for
the promotion of this cause in our
midst are we gathered together. To
some it may seem like fairy story,
but the Missionary spirit is the most
beautiful in the world, and may be
exemplified anywhere, from the
greatest philanthropist to the cup of
cold water,or even Kind word or clasp
of the hand, if only in His name.
Missionsis the work Christ himself
came to do and establish in the
earth, and is, therefore, the nearest
expression of Christlike activity
possible to human being. We
have examples of this in the sweet
gospel messengers that have gone to
the front. We may now and then
hear open or whispered criticism;
useless sacrifice, they say, or let
them die in igorance. We read about
nature-wasted sweetness on the desert
air, but the fragrance of a life
of copsecrated service at home or
abroad watts daily its sweetness to
the skies, and the returns are more
than We could think or ask.
Think of Laura Haygood, a
Young j. Allen and others pouring
out life to save souls for Christ's sake.
Is it not the sweetest waste you ever
heard of? On the other hand, does
it not seem to you the most tremen-
dous sel6shness and ingratitude on
earth to spend all of the morning
and noon of life in self-gratifcation,
seeking only the pleasures that fade
in the hands, neglecting every call
of humanity and unmindfui of
commands and "God's hand that is
stretched out STILL" then just any
time in the evening of life, when this
worlds things fail to satisfy, give
the remnant of our days, the ashes
of life, to God and his service?
What mistake! Surely paradise
lost. But let US not try to do these
things in our own strength and way.
st. Paul said to Timothy "Keep that
good thing by the Holy Ghost" and
again he said, "who alone is suf-
ficient for these things; but / can do
all things through Christ who
strengtheneth me.'' There is Joy
in the service, as some of you know,
but the way is not always easy. We
are familiar with the ups and downs
il this work we are trying to do
This thing is troubling us, and that
thing is cross. We make so many
mistakes it just seems sometimes We
cannot overcome it all, we begin tc
doubt and question as the women
did on the resurrection morn-"who
shall roll us away the stone." But as
we too go forward in faith and love
behold the stone is already rolled
away. Let us cherish that good
thing which has been committed
unto us, and send it on to those who
have never heard, redeeming the
time and filling our places, however
humble in the grace of life, with s
zeal that becometh Christians. AND
may this meeting mean to us, each
one, and to our society larger fit
ness for and preparation for tn,
Masters service.
That good thing which has beer
committed unto you keep by tn,
Holu GhooS whioh d,yolio.l :: ,