Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1907-09-13

for the Master? You have no idea
how far your gospel invitations may
sink when you deliver them for Christ
In the parlor or In the street car or
at the dining room table.
Mighty Facts.
The story is told that many years
ago the Genevan evangelist, Caesar
, Malan, was ut n fashionable dinner in
the west end of London He was
seated by a beautiful young girl. Dur
ing the banquet he quietly said to her,
'Are you a Christian?" She flushed
up at once and answered sharply,
THAT is subject do not care to
have discussed here this evening""
We'll" answered the minister, with
a gentle, earnest voice, 81 will not per-
sist in speaking of it, but l shall pray
that you may give your heart to Christ
and become useful worker for him"
That was all Dr. Malan said. a few
days later that lady came to DIR. Ma
lan's study, begging him to show her
the way of life. She then and there
gave her heart to Jesus. That young
lady's name was Miss Charlotte Elliott,
whose memory will be honored as long
out OF that simple question of n hum
bic evangelist there came forth from
her pen that matchless hymn which
has won multitudes OF sinners to
| Christ:
Just as am, without one plea
But that thy blood was shed for me
And that thou bidst me come to thee.
Lamb of God, come. 1 come!
My brother, in the face of these two
mighty facts which have enunciated
| today l would ask, Can you afford to
| fritter away your sacred moments
when you are in social intercourse
with your fellow men? You may think
the hour unpropitious, but sometimes
the time that seems to man most in
! opportune for the presentation of the
! gospel is the most opportune time for
Jesus. o Christian friend, draw your
bow in the parlor, in the banquet hall,
| in the street, Shoot the arrows of Cos
pei invitation everywhere. You know
not but in the most unexpected of
places you may win another Charlotte
Elliott for Christ
Tho Gospels Influence.
But, lastly, remark that we should
be careful about our gospel influence
over our enemies as we'll as over our
friends. We should strive TO lead those
to Christ who are attacking us as we'll
as those who are living with us under
the same roof We should be careful
about our influence over those who
hate us as well as over those who
love us. AS rule. we deem our en-
emies the last people we are likely
TO have any influence over when in
| fact there are no classes of people we
can more influence for God than those
who dislike us and are misrepresent-
ing us and are trying to destroy u.s.
The story Is told that many years
ago DIR. Newman Hall was sharply
brought face TO face with this truth
| Newman Hall, as all know, was one
of the greatest preachers London ever
produced. He was the author OF that
celebrated tract called "Come 10 Je-
sus." which was printed by the mil.
lion and scattered broadcast over the
English speaking world. One day
Newman Hall was most outrageously
abused and miSrepresented by one OF
his enemies. He was so indignant that
he sat down and wrote the most ex-
coriating of letters. He called his en-
envy almost everything in the criminal
calendar. But before he sent this bit
ter letter he read 1t TO one OF his
friends. what do you think of that
letterT asked Or. Hall. Zine!
Finer answered his friend. "a man
could not write a more crushing and
overpowering letter than that. But
what are you going to call the letter?
You must give 1t n caption" "What
do you meanw asked Dr. Hall. "What
would you suggest?" "Oh," answered
his friend, 81 would suggest you en-
title that bitter letter, Go to the Dew
H. by the author OF Come TO Jesus"
DR.. Hall looked up In amazement. He
hesitated a moment; then he said:
my friend, you are right. You have
taught me a lesson"
Speak For Christ.
Instead OF sending that bitter letter.
Newman Hell sat down alkl wrote a
loving note TO the enemy who had done
him such wrong. Brother, can you
not do the same 20 your enemies? You
say, 1T would do no good" How do
you know? You say that what your
enemy needs is n club. No; / think
not / believe that what your enemy
needs is message OF Christian love
from you. 1t may be only a random
shot, but by the power OF the Lord
God Almighty that gospel arrow may
strike his heart and bring him, a low
Ing penitent, to Jesus. Anyway, 1t is
worth trying. You have shot arrows
dipped in poison long enough. Now
try to crush your enemies by winning
them with gospel love. You can do it.
By the power Of the Holy Spirit feel,
1 know, you can do it.
I am overwhelmed as I think OF the
opportunities we all have for serving
the Master. You may not think your
words and deeds amount to much.
! But let us cOnsecrate every one Of
| them to the utmost of our power, and
| then he must look after the issue.
With the weakest of agents God can
achieve the most infinite results. Are
you ready today to be one of Gods
spiritual agents? Are you ready to
do all you can in every way you can,
even though all your efforts may seem
to be very little?
There was half demented boy who
used to be q member of one of my east
ern churches. The different members
were telling what they would do for
Christ during the coming year. When
this demented boys time came he
arose and said: IT cannot do much.
know 1 am half crazy. But l can al