The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1908-11-13

OF Satan 90 be heard. II would have
given him privilege In court. Jesus
saw that discussion would be dis
obedience, argument confession.
debate damaging.
We are hardly wiser than Jesus.
IL He would not parley. We ought
not. II His moral sense and mental
insight, His sense of religious respon-
sibility, would not permit Him 20
argue with Satan we cannot as His
followers do less than He. To par
les is 10 listen. And the devil has
many a sweet tone, plausible plan.
fine sounding promise. And many
there are who, with unstopped and
ready ears, are misled thereby. No
wise man would plot murder on a
corner or bargain with woman for
her soul in the glare of MONDAY in
the sight of men. Much less wise is
he who parleys with Satan in the
chambers OF his heart.
Jesus didn't fool with Satan. He
heard his propositions and had done.
And that was the end of il. There
were no dates for future conferences.
The matter was closed at once. He
was as fair with Satan as He was
with Himself Satan wanted an an
swer. And he cot il hot and fast.
Note you that he went away and left
Him.
We ought not 10 fool with temp
tation any more than did Christ. It's
not fair 10 the devil. It's not person.
ally honest. II is dangerous. He
who fools with tempters and tempta-
tions is n fool.
One afternoon last summer as
stood waiting for car by the tracks
where the electric trains course, two
boys drew near. When opposite 10
me they deliberately jumped from
platform TO the charged third rail.
nearly had heart disease. In a
moment they jumped safely off. To
my advice they offered this bit OF
wisdom: I'VE jumped off wood with
both feet TO the rail The rails on
wood. All YOU have 10 do is 10 jump
off with both feet at once" \ slip
and they would have jumped-into
eternity, 4 jump--a tiash-a limp
body by the track side covered with
paltry canvas Cofiin--a mound
in Greenwood. 4 bCv dead. . home
desolate, a soul gone .rematurely to
its God. Because q boy would fool
with death. Men and women and
temptation! How many are not like
the boys?
You wouldn't cross Niagara with a
rope for a walk and pole for a sup
port and balance? No, Why? Be-
cause you're not a fool! You would
MT Jump the Twentieth Century Ex-
press. You're not fool! You
wouldn't put you're hand next n
whirring wheel You wouldn't fool
with death or danger. But you will
fool with temptation. You will play
with tempters. You will think long
while before you will do evil. But
you will think evil and give audience
TO Satan now. Here Now, Aren I
you "A fool? Wherein do YOU differ
from the boys?
Jesus dismissed Satan. We would
he better and safer did we the same.
Repulse him. Get Christ TO help YOU.
Turn your back on him. Tell him
10 so 10. Kick him out If you have
TO. But get rid Of temptation. Dis
miss the tempter.
If YOU can't get loose from the
grip of the tempter any other way
then run. Better the woods than sin.
Better retreat than disgrace. Better
caution than dishonor. Many man
would be without "A spot that cannot
be blotted out to-day If he had only
run away. IL is better to run away
from an affinity in sin than TO en-
brace.
When Jesus refused TO parley.
when He showed no mood to fool,
when He gave direct and unhesi-
tating answer Satan left Jesus. Not
otherwise is 1t with you. The advef-
sary will go when you no longer bid
him stay. And behold angels will
come and minister unto you"
Irving Square PRESBYTERIAN Church.
Brooklyn, New York.