Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-08-09
The CHURCH OF The LIVING GOD.
TContinued from First Page1.

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sent themselves, his work is defeated.
Many church members do not put
the attendance upon the house of
God on the same footing that they
do their attendance upon other places.
We forget that it is the church of
Cod and has the highest right to our
allegiance. For the sake of our in
nuence. we ought to be there. And
when we go and commit ourselves to
the services by taking some part, we
are not only helping the church the
better to do its work. but we are
building ourselves up in the Chris
tian life. Brethren, forsake not the
assembling of yourselves together
4. Support ii with your means.
Money getting is not the chief
business of a church. But it cannot
do its work without money. Every
member ought to bear his part of the
financial burden in proportion to his
financial ability. We are to give as
God prospers us and we are to do 1t
weekly. Under the reign of law God
required a tenth, and said that men
robbed him when they withheld 1t.
Surely under the reign Of grace, God
does not expect us to give into HIS
treasury less than He required at the
MANY good people there is money for
everything else save for the treasury
of the Lord. There are rich promises
in the Word Of God to the liberal
souls who deal generously with God.
s. Be ready to speak good word
for your church.
A church may be talked up or down.
Talk up your church. Defend its
honor against any who would calum-
Mate it or misrepresent it. There are
always those who are ready to speak
disparagingly of church. There
are often those who are ready to mis-
represent it. It's honor is in the keep
ing of it's members. 1t is sacred.
Let no man speak lightly or dispar-
agingly of the house of God.
Commend it. Speak a good word
for it's services, and so widen the
sphere of its influence. Ask people to
come to worship God at your church.
If your pastor is worthy and faithful
speak a good word for him. Do not
do it in a half-hearted way. Thus,
by speaking n good word for your
church, you make it more efficient
and useful in the service of God.
6. Be ready to serve in any capa-
city where your services may be
needed Lead a prayer meeting, offer
a prayer take part in the singing.
Be a helper. Make this your motto,
II am only one, but / am one, can
not do everything, but | can do some
thing: what | can do 1 ought to do,
and by the grace of God I will do"
Z. Pray for your church. 1t Is
wonderful how well, even a poor
preacher can preach to those who
form the habit of praying for him.
And even the best preacher can not do
much. if the atmosphere of prayer
is lacking. George c. Gates, who has
been wonderfully successful In hold
ing evangelistic meetings, on going 10
a city to begin a meeting, said, I
have no one to sing for me, but
do wish that / had some one to pray
for me-" Mr.. Surgeons success lay
here. The success of a church al
ways lies here.
There are many other things which
I might suggest, if I had time. Let
me sum it all up in this. The
are it's members, make It. And II
can not be any better than you make
1t. But it can be anything in the
way of spiritual attainment which
YOU wish to make it, If you are only
willing to pay the price. You ought
to make this q better, and more efii-
cient church than it has ever been.
And yet. when I say this | am not
unmindful that you have behind you
glorious past which calls for con-
secrated living and noble service. II
thrills my heart today to think OF all
that company of noble spirits whose
names have been written here, and
who have passed on to their spiritual
reward. And If the spirits of just
men made perfect are concerned about
the affairs on earth, may we not be
sure that kindred spirits hover near to-
day and watch the proceedings OF TINS
hour with keenest interest. wv heretore
seeing we also are cOmpaSSed about
with so great a cloud OF witnesses
let US lay aside every weight, and the
sin which doth so easily beset us ana
let us run with patience the race that
is set before us, looking unto Jesus
the author and finisher Of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before
Him endured the cross despising the
shame. and is set down at the right
hand of the throne of God.
Already this building is coming to-
be associated with the sweetest, hap
piest. saddest. things in your life.
This will be true more and more as
the swift-footed years hurry by.
Here souls will be quickened into
spiritual life. Here lessons will be
taught which will enter into the very
warp and wOof of character. Here
impressions will be made which will
make all the rest of life different
Here souls will catch visions of God
and duty which will influence all the
coming years. even through an un-
ending eternity. Down these aisles
will come your young people with
buoyant steps to the accompaniment
of the wedding march to stand here
at this altar and pledge their un-
changing love to each other. AND
here with solemn step and SLOW, VIII
come the mOurners with aching
hearts when you come to hold the last
services over your dead. and to place
their remains out yonder in G0ds
acre where so much precious dust has
been laid to await the coming of the
Lord.
In the erection of this building you
have honored God and into brick and
mortar you have built your conVic-
ton that God is worthy of your best
MAY this be true i'm all things con-
cernng your life and service. Ana
may the glory of this house surpass
that of the three other houses. which
have been built on this hill. Blow
gently upon it oh, winds of heaven.
Protect it oh. God from the devastat-
ing earthquake. from the lightnings
destructive bolt. and from the de-
vOuring tongues Of the hungry
flames: and for long years may 1t smell
ter q people whose God is the LORD
and who are happy in His service
And when earthly days are over win
their toll. and heartache. and strug-
gle, gather us all at last. oh Father.
in that abiding city where congre-
cations nc'er break up. and where
we may worship before the throne
where there is no need Of houses
built by human hands. hut where the
Lord God Almighty and the Lamb
are the temple thereof: and to Thee
we will give the honor. and the glory.
forever. and forever.
What Is Day?