Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1909-04-15

at their Fathers table, but instead OF
this they are spending their all IN
r1otous living, or it may be that the
devil has already put them to feeding
swine.
Now let us consider the result Of
this backsliding. I do not mean the
influence of backsl1ding upon others.
though this is far-reaching and bane-
full, but the curse Of backsliding to
the backslider himself. My text SAYS
that the "backslider in heart shall be
filled with his own ways" what
soever a man soweth that shall he
also reap" The law of the harvest
is a universal and unalterable law.
out a considerable time generally
elapses before a man eats the bread
of his own sowing. I do not envy the
backslider. By experience I know
something of the bitterness of the
agony which he now suffers or which
the future holds in store for him.
Now let us consider Gods attitude
to the backslider. He yearns over
His hayward and wandering children,
and longs for their return. The pic
ture of the father in the parable Of
the prodigal son is the best descrip-
ton of God in the whole Bible. And
40 ~ SAO pANCNIO " CAC plOu16dl SOu
the best description Of the backslider
God there is an abundant welcome for
every returning backslider, and the
church Of God ought not to be less
hospitable than the heart of God.
If again I may use the Apostle
Peter as an illustration, we may sure
1y learn from his restoration that
unworthy Christians may become
worthy Christians, that weak Chris
tians may become strong Christians.
and that Jul very failings may be-
come stepping stones to success.
After his experience, Peter was too
humble a man to praise himself; but
all of us know that the Master took
him back to His heart and immedi-
ately Entrusted him with the interests
Of His Kingdom. This weak and
hating and ba%cksliding man was des-
tined to become the leader Of the
apostles in devotion and suffering and
success. It thrills my heart to watch
the humble and chastened and re-
stored backslider. I am glad it was
Peter who preached the wonderful
sermon at Pentecost, for it proves to
me that God can take the weakest OF
us and make US strong and powerful.
II we will only give ourselves to Him.
I close with these words Of invita-
ton from my Master. My first word
Is to the Christians within the
church who have grown cold and
neglectful: Our Master is anxious to
forgive us and to have us start afresh:
Let us be done with Incidence and
Indifference, and serve the Lord with
Joy and and enthusiasm. My second
word is to the Christians who have
fallen into sin and drifted out OF the
church: Your Lord stands with open
arms and pleads with you to come
back to Him, and the church wants
you back. If you will forsake your
sins, no n will remember them
against you. Come, and you shall
have the gold ring and the best robe,
and we will kill the fatted calf In U
| rejoicing, and in most of our churches
! there will not be a single pharisalcal
elder brother to begrudge you the
! welcome you are receiving.
My last word is to the men and
women who have e v yielded their
! hearts to the love OF GOD, nor SUI.
rendered their wills to the Will on
God: The Father has a royal wei
come for you. It was for your axe
| that God sent His Son into the worm:
John 3:16 is the Masters message
to YOU. If you do not rememoel
! the beautiful words, hunt them ny "a
your long-neglected Bibles, ana 'ne"
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