The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1907-04-10
METHODIST ITINERANT.
BY MIR. R. Y. THOMAS, JR.


Methodism has always been the most
potential pioneer force In all America
for the advancement of Christian civil
lization. With no library but Bible,
with no earthly possession-except may
be horse-with no expectant reward
but that of duty done, the old-tlme
Methodist itinerant pioneer preacher,
with the old-time religion, self-sacrific-
ing, consecrated, fearless, marched in
the very vanguard, plunged into the I'M
known wilderness, and blazed the way
for others to follow. And following
after came sanity line of ministers
who have builed the SuperStructure of
Methodism beautiful and grand, and
have carried the banner of the cross TO
every land on the habitable globe. In
the worlds history more than nine mil
lions of human beings have been slain
upon the sacrifcial affairs of pseudo-re-
ligions, but the blood of no martyr STAINS
the spotless white habiliments of Meth
odism. It's teachings are the teachings
of Jesus, its gospel is the gospel of
peace. Cawnpore and Lucknow are
immortal memorials of British forti-
tude and valor, and the story Of the
Alamo will forever remain an imperish-
able monument to the uncOnquerable
and exalted spirit of American devotion
and courage; but the achievements of
the Wesleys, of Coke, of AsbUry, of
Bascom, and all that devoted company
of consecrated contemporary ministers
will forever remain a greater mOnu-
ment, a more splendid memorial be-
cause their victories were the blOOdless
triumphs of peace and love and religion.
Preachers Of the gospel are spiritual
advisers of human destiny. The de-
voted Christian minister, faithful
friend, follows us all along the rugged
path of Hes uneven way. With crys-
tai drops of holy water he dedicates to
God the tender infant smiling in its
mothers arms and teaches young and
lisping lips the story of the cross. In
youthful, wayward, thoughtless days
he points US to the narrow way, lest we
dash foot against the stones of sin
and oily. In manhood's prime he
watches Ger us all along ambitions
glorious, cheating way. When time
has changed the raven locks to white
of winter SHOWS, he then becomes the
comfort and the solace Of our declining
years. And then at last disease and
age have done their perfect work, and
death knocks at the portal Of soul, he
follows to the grave; and there, amid
the tears and flowers Of loved ones left
behind, he breathes the final prayer of
hope and consolation.
Methodist itinerants are messengers
of eternal life. There does not live a
mentally healthful man but who, in
concious, waking hours, sometimes
tnrns to thoughts Of God and future
and if doubling, yet believes.
From the throne of the eternal GOD,
over the invisible wires of thought, to
every human mind there flashes a mes
sage Of the land beyond, and in every
human heart the generous soil of faith
bears the flower and the fruitage of
immortality. Life is death, and death
is life again. The hills are eternal.
The trees and the flowers are immor-
tail. To day they wither and decay;
tomorrow they come forth in the new
ness of life. Beneath the white wind
ing sheet ofwinter SHOWS germlnate the
seeds which, under vernal showers and
summer sunshine, bud and blossom in
supernal beauty. When the sunset
comes and the shadow of death falls
across this mortal life, when we hear
the final farewells of breaking hearts,
when we feel for the last time the ten
der touch of loving lips and gentle hands,
then, beyond the shadOwy portal, hope
sees the reckoning hands Of loved ones
gone. and faith the beacon lights of ev-
erlasting life.