The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-03-04
splendid
Address Delivered By The
Rev. Milford Il. Lyon
s
At The Baptist Church On
Monday Evening
Speaker Greeted By An I'm.
menSe Audience
And Heartily Applauded As
He Began To Speak
The Subject Of His Lecture
Was "The Great Crusade

1t was splendid audience that well
coined Rev. Milford II. Lyon, the not
ed evangelist, back to Mt Vernon on
Monday evening. The First Baptist
church was crowded to it's utmost ca
pacity and many were compelled to
stand during the entire services.
Rev. Lyon arrived in the city on the
1920 afternoon train from Urbana and
was entertained at the home of Rev.
and Mrs. f. e. Brininstool, although
he took dinner Monday evening with
Mr.. and Mrs. j. G.. Hunt with whom
he roomed during his stay in Mt Ver-
non two years ago.
"The Great Crusade" was the sub
iect of the lecture delivered by Rev.
Mr.. Lyon on Monday evening and as
he stepped forth to speak he was ap-
plauded for several minutes by the
large audience.
The speaker took for his text, Luke
9:23:
'If any man will come after me,
let him deny himself and take up
mis- cross daily and follow me-"
He spoke In part as follows:
1T Is always the inspiration of
great purpose that separates the ex-
traordinary man from the ordinary.
l would rather have man Of small
talent imbued with a great motive
than the biggest brain void of high
ideals. The poet Whittier gave this
said he, identify yourself with some
great but then unpopular reform" The
greatest lack in the average life to-
day Is the want of strong and suf-
flcient motive.
It was the message of Peter the Her
NIT that created and crystalized the
popular sentiment of all Europe. In
peculiar sense such men are the great
est characters of history, for 1t Is they
who make history. Back of laws and
legislatures, back of kings and govern
ors, Is that power behind the throne,
which molds the character OF law
and sways the scepter Of state, the
power of public opinion. Lawmakers
do little to mold this, they are nodded
by 1t. There can be no greater hui
man ambition than a desire to be a
creator of the right kind of popular
20, nj 10, Al
most imperceptible. 1t is like the
snow ball that starts from the summit
down the mountainside, increasing in
size and swiftness as 1t goes, until
1t becomes great avalanche, swift
and resistless in its power.
Rev. Mr. Lyon then took up the
Crusades In the early centuries and
gave description of each. Contin-
uing Of Crusades he said:
The Crusades were heralds of the
great Crusade which began twenty
centuries ago, beginning with the pro-
clamation of our great Captain-"If
any man would come after me, let him
deny himself and take up his cross
and follow me-" This embraces mans
threefold relation-to himself, to his
fellow man, and to his God. 1t com
prehends the three greatest motives
that can promote and inspire the hui
man heart, Sacrifice, services, and
obedience.
If we possess sacrifice, like the true
mother we will lose our life In our
mission. The world Is constantly ad-
vertising to sell out at a sacrifice;
but this sacrifice is usually for the
other fellow.
In this crusade there must be the
spirit of service, the taking up of our
cross. II means self crucifxion. The
old nature must be nailed to the cross,
the old pride and indulgence and self
ish ambitions. 1t takes all there is Of
man to be Christian.
Why did not Christ say take up the
sword? Multitudes will WELD the sword
but will not bear the cross. You take
the sword to gain your rights. You
take the cross to fulfill your duties,
The sword is external. the cross must
be matter of the inner life. Here is
the fundamental difference between
Mohammedanism and Christianity;
one was promoted by compulsion. the
other by kindness; the one is victory