East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-02-08
REVIVAL SERVICES
HAVE STARTED
LARGE AUDIENCES FILL
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Singing OF S. N. Steele OF Portland,
Greatly Appreciated-Sermon by
Pastor Last Evening Was on Text,
"Robbing GOd'-Rev. w. l.. Van
Nuys VIII Continue Preaching.

|
| Presbyterian church yesterday botf
morning and evening for the first OF
the special services. The singing of
| Mr.. S. ~ Steele was a special feature
much appreciated. Mr.. Steele is q
business man Of Portland who has
consented to assist in these meetings
because of his interest in and devo-
tlon to the work of the church. II
is hoped that he can continue with
the church here through. the week
The sermons are by the pastor Of the
church, Rev. w. L. Van Nuy..
Services will commence each even
ing at 1880 and continue for one hour
giving those who have limited time
an opportunity to get away promptly.
The plan Of the "after meeting" will
be followed for gathering the results.
The theme of the service last eYen-
ing was "Robbing Cod" the text be-
ing taken from John 1871. A synop,
sis of the sermon follows: A place
OF welcome and safety in the life to
come Is desired by every man. Man
believes that God in His goodness has
made provision for him in this mat
ter. Jesus said 81 go to prepare a
place for you" and hope rises In
every mans breast at the promise.
Difference in Effort.
But there Is a great difference in
the effort men are making to enter
that resting place Some are trying
to build ladders of wisdom or good
words to scale the wall. Others de-
clare that there is no wall about the
place. Others declare that there are
so many broken places in it that It
will be easy to get in through some
gap. And many others are taking
God at his word as revealed here in
! this book, believing that there is but
one way Of entrance, namely through
Him who said Il am the door, by me
If any man enter in, he shall be
saved"
And the word of our text, "He that
entereth not by the door into the
sheep fold, but climbeth up some
other way, the same is a thief and a
robber" Consider carefully the
charge. He is a robber-of himself.
The declaration of the Word is pos
hive that he cannot get in any other
way. In Rev. 22:14, Is we find a WV
id description of the difference be-
tween the company on the inside and
outside of the door. Even here there
are few who voluntarily choose the
latter companionship. How much
more important is the choice for eter-
nifty And a man robs himself of all
the good which comes into this life
from being In touch with God as re-
vealed in Jesus Christ. No loss could
he more severe than this compounded
of losses in time and eternity.
Robs God.
A man robs God The man who Is
careful to fulfill his obligations to
his fellow-men to the letter, seems
strangely blind to his obligations to
God. God asks not for your kindly
consideration, or empty words of
praise. or a few paltry gifts from your
hands. He asks for you, your love,
your service in all things as His
child. And the scripture represents
God as ready TO pardon the sins of
men. and dellghting to exercise mer-
cy. This mercy is offered in Jesus
Christ. The world did not think of
the Love of God till it was revealed
in our Christion system, and it Is not
n - 90 fnifh fndaU aXNnnf
as implanted by the revelation made
In Jesus. Is not the man who refuses
to enter by this road, deliberately |
striving to climb in some other way |
md thus ignore and trample on Him |
who offers himself as "the Way, the |
Truth and the Life robblng God?
Robs Others.
Such n course robs others who are |
outside. The greatest obstacle be-
tween many a hungry soul and God
oday. is the example of men who are
rying to get into heaven over the
wall Jesus said "Let your light so
,hne before men that they may see
your good works and glorify your
Faith in Heaven" But moral men
magnify their good works and seek
o make themselves glorious in the
yes of others. They have no con-
'incing words as to the end of the
ourney. They only say. at seems
hus to me-" or "I hope 1t Is So" or
I believe it is So" God says there Is
10 way but this. A few days ago we
leard that the light ship off the
mouth of the Columbia had gone
drift in a storm. I think the first
hing that the men in charge of that
hip did when they discovered they
we're out of place was to climb to the
op of the mast and put out the sig
Ial light. Such a light would be
My death signal. Which way
oes your light point men? Which
way does your example lead them?
{ not to the divinely appointed way
# entrance into eternal life, then,
or the love of other mems souls don't
make a display of your light, as a
uide to Heaven, for It Is a death sig
al on life's sea.