Evening star., 1909-07-11
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- ONE days ago | read startling
statement that large number OF
churches of one of the strongest
~ denominations in this country
never added solitary soul to
their rolls during recent year.
From this ii is not just to conclude
that these churches have been useless and
Invaluable to christianity. but such sta
tistics show that as concerns the prime
and supreme work for which the church
exists these have been utter failures.
The supreme work of the church Is
coincident with that of the Master
ITO seek and to save that which Is lost.
While there are many forms of spiritual
work engaging the churches 1t must not
be forgotten that they are wholly SUBJ
ordinate to the work of winning souls Tor
Christ and the Kingdom.
The work of Christ was placed In the
hand of the apostles-"As the Father
las sent me even so send | you -and
these original servants of Christ received
this mission for all who would believe In
His name. The personal work of the
Master must be carried forward by His
people and largely by His methods. we
should not assume to discuss this large
lack of fruitfulness nor even assume
that other denominations are less guilty,
but we should call attention to method
by which such figures could not be re-
peated.
.And he brought him to Jesus is the
blessed record of Andrews first act as
follower of Christ. This bit OF Scripture
has I'm IL the solution of better things
in the churches. Andrew as Christian
man won a soul for Christ, and had he
done no more than that in a year what
an immense force he brought to the king
dom The method of Andrew is possible
with any child of God. however humble
and however limited his opportunities In
this world may be. All cannot bring men
of the stamp of Peter. but each can bring
some soul that needs the same Savior
and salvation that Peter obtained.
An individual Christian who places the
responsibility of winning souls wholly up
on the minister is not only shifting an
imperative duty, but also becomes
cipher in that important work for which
the church exists.
'Tis true he came into the kingdom
for his personal salvation. but as once
he becomes servant of the Master and
to all His servants the Master says: Go
out quickly into the streets and lanes OF
the city Go out In the highways
and the hedges and constrain them to
come in that my house may be filed"
The filling OF the house OF God Is not
the specific duty of the pastor. The
churchman must share his responsibility.
Andrew rejoiced in his privilege to be a
disciple of Christ. but his Joy was not full
nor his duty done until he brought his
brother 20 Christ.
Am my brothers keeper" is the in
terrogation of pure selfishness. The
fact that a nominal Christian takes no In
terest in his feliow-man arouses a strong
suspicion whether or not the spirit of
Christ really dwells within him.
Cant God save my neighbor without
my aid?" some will ask.
Yes, He can: but your question is not
fair statement as far as you are concern
ed with this problem. God can save your
neighbor without you. but can you be
saved without your neighbor? God could
have provided another method OF gaining
Peter, but what would have become OF
Andrew?
Let the membership of the churches
awake to their dnty--yes. blessed privi-
lege-of winning souls. and the additions
will multiply like the grapes on the vine.
II is sad comment upon the spirit of
many that they are oontented to allow
year after year to go by without even
making an effort to gain one soul for the
Kingdom.
The Master said: Every branch In afe
that be1reth not fruit He taketh away
The prophet said: They that be wise
shall shine as the brightness of the firma-
uent ans; they tina. turn many to right
eoIisness as the stars forever and ever"
W-nicil shall you be?
\ fraL.icss branch or brilliant star?
III, rl.-t,.,-a