The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-01-16

| saviour IS the VI Iuo
| salient qualities that are necessary
| for a life's successes. He it is who
illustrates and objectiies for US what
| our lives should be.
The need for these cardinal virtues
was never more evidentor we'll voiced
| than in this day. In the world OF
business they are no less needed than
in those religious spheres where
moral and spiritual verities are up
| permost. The necessity for the cxer
else of these qualities that make for
manly might is everywhere apparent.
To the man who would attain bust
ness predominance and commercial
power they ara Invaluable and indis-
pensab1e. Deduct the moral GRIM
inality which has made possible the
success of many of the industrial and
financial leaders of our day and the
fact that their influence is largely
based upon indomitable pluck and
energy and dutifulness still outstands
all else. Backbone and push have
been the reason for the rapidity in
advancement of a throng. A clean
bulls eye gains applause for the man
with the hand and the true sight.
Directness brings to a man the con-
fdence Of the crowd. Half-heated,
poorly-fired, swaying, swerving, IT.
~resolute men without sense Or sand
enough to be true to anything for
any considerable length of time new
er reach the top, never attain, never
are lifted to a place of power. The
world has small use for moral weak
lings or men without spunk and
grit, at the front.
These characteristics which we
have denominated as among the dis
tinguishing features in the Christ's
career are most essential, however, to
the man who would reach the highest
usefulness and be most a blessing in
the world. Needful as these quail
ties may be to those who would be
famed for physical and material
achievement they are gtill more re-
quisite for those who desire spiritual
graces. Especially are they compul-
sorry and mandatory for those who
have not acknowledged Christ and
would wish to call Him Lord. The
souls restoration depends entirely
upon the willingness Of the sinner to
seek salvation earnestly and in faith.
Spiritual baptism Is the gift Of the
Father to those only who come
straight to the point. Excuses and
attempts at %palliation of our personal
guilt merely delay the crisis. Ex-
tenuation and mitigation are Of nons
avail. Decisive and conclusive yield
ing of the heart to the Master is the
one concession that will bring a spir-.
itual surcease from the woe Of a
wicked life. Earnest endeavor to be
faithful to the trust Of the Christian
Sonship gives growth and greatness
in the spiritual life.
These gospels from the life of our
Lord have special bearing upon the
activities Of the church. The church
Of Christ is not so earnest, not so in
tense, not so faithful, as she should
be in the spreading Of the seed of
salvation. The church has lessened
her directness too much in her at
tacks upon the strongholds of sin.
We have been content with medioc-
rity while the devil has gained as
tendance. The church, to be the
agent for g%odlineeF that she is called
upon to be, must get down to bust
ness. Half-heartedness puts the flag
Of the Christ at half-mast. We must
nail our colors at the top and keep
them there.
Directness demands c1ean-cut. I'M
wavering work done with faithful
ness, fidelity and with hoping hearts.
The church, each of US and all of
is together, must cease to be salts.
fed with poor work or nome. The
salvation of Jul OWL souls and the
procuring OF temporal and eternal
blessings for ourselves is not enough.
Are we to attain success, as an Or
%ganization, in the spiritual work that
counts, we must be all on fire with
the desire to save mems souls, and to
bring happiness to their hearts and
lives while here. .
Lack of zeal will condemn us as
unworthy. Feeble fire proves remiss-
ness. A poor aim lays Us open to
the enemy's assaults. Unfaithfulness
is unworthy of US and will meet the
condemnation of our God.