Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-08-05

Than what a happy world 'twould be
For you and me-for you and me!
Last Sunday night was set apart for
Home Missions by all Of the Epworth
leagues and among the talks and the pa
. pers read was one by Miss Gladys
Morris that Is so true TO our principles
that I am going TO give IL 10 you and 1
hone you who are helping in Christian
work OF any sort will pass the good word
along by reading this 10 your class or
society.
Some one asked me what was the
frst requisite in winning souls for Christ,
after a heart consecrated to our Saviour.
I beaxve II is friendliness- Nobody is
going 10 unburden their hearts Jerplexi-
ties. nor listen with an open heart TO
any one who has not previously won her
eoundence Let us therefore show our
selves friendly TO our neighbors-
The subject OF home missions needs no
Introduction to our church people. yet
an occasional review OF its vital I'M
portance. Is helpful
In the first chapter and eighth verse or
IRE Book Of Acts we find record OF the
laster saying TO His followers: fe
a all be witnesses unto Ne both in Jeru-
saIern and in all Judea- and in Samarla-
and unto the uttermost part OF the
earth"
n "a very noticeable that Jerusalem Is
named nrst. and then Judea follows, at
ter which comes Samaria, and then the
balance Of the world.
The Lord here dignifies the home work
~ giving II first mention. Someone here
his very aptIy illustrated our duty by
comparing Jerusalem TO Atlanta. Judea
20 Georgia. samaria TO other states OF
or country. and the command to go to
the uftermost parts OF the earth to mean
n worldwide evangelism. or foreign mis-
sion work II this is true and our first
euty IN 70 those who live closest to our
homes, we have mammoth undertaking
right In our midst. On every hand are
those who know not our Lord and Master
ard some OF them are hungering after
tlss rospei we love-now. the Saviour
saws our FIRST duty is TO tell them
In the political affairs OF our country
ve obey those in authority over US, ana
IN military life every command from the
leader must be obeyed, vet we are con-
tent TO sing the songs Of Zion proclaim
fr- Jesus as our Lord. our King ana the
Obtain Of our Salvation. but alas, too
cen we are unwilling to follow His
Command even though he gave us the
h,ssed assurance. 10. 1 am with you
nt-vay- even unto the end OF the world .
Having been given this direct COM
rr7nd to carry the message OF the Mas
fsr's love and forgiveness. we cannot
.
We will not fail. In the fourth chap
Ger and eleventh verse OF Ephesians
raul tells. US: He gave some. apos-
ties: and some. prophets; and some,
e.anzeiists: and some. pastors ann
teachers" Thus a variety OF gifts
we're given in the very beginning, and
SO today we have among our own
Christian PEOPLE those VINO are trained
20 teach, those who are prepared TO
mill IN n
workers ana those IT, whom God has
enrrusted riches for right use. and
these indeed are the ones who are get
ting the joy out of their Christian
lives
we are inclined to think that the
Lord. does not intend for US TO be &C
tive in His work but nowhere In the
Book can be found the record where
Re excused anyone from service. The
duty Of spreading the glorious Gospel
Is as much ours as II was the dutv or
fSose dozen men He called out from
f..e world TO be His followers We. too,
IRE called out from the world ana
worldly things. and are chosen 10 be
ambassadors Of the King, and given
n message that will soften and cleanse
nd gladde7 the hearts OF sinful men,
Ours, then. is a great work because
81 makes brighter the lives Of those
the depths of dispair. and sheds rays
cf sunshine into pathways made
gloomy by the presence OF satan and
sin
II we could properly appreciate the
taoportance Of immortal souls We would
not be so unconcerned about ouI neigh
bora We forget that Jesus Christ
paid the greatest price ever onereo
for anything when ne yielded his life
"a ne cross that such sinners as we
are might nave eternal life-thst we
nigh. be saved from the wee OF an
everlasting doom and with Him rejoice
IN the sunshine of the Almighty's love-
ing presence. We think that the price
vas paid for US-and somehow forget
the other folks. We are not faithful
TO our VOW. and our Lord, when we
neglect those whom He loves and when
we spend our time IN selfish pleas
Cres-
II there should come to US some
great boundless Joy, something unusual,
something grand. sofnethiNg that lift
ed US from the common level TO high
or sphere in the affairs OF this lire,
we could not keep the secret--we would
surely tell Others-we would want
them TO know OF our happiness Then
should we not all the more desire to
tell to our neighbOrs and friends.
whether in Atlanta, or in Georgia, or
In the United States, or in the distant
foressn lands Of the great and yet sim
pie secret which will transform them
from the servants OF sin 10 the mes
se,gsrs or the Master2
II should be the desire Of every Leag-
uer 20 so live that the influence Of his or
her life should be strong testimony OF
the Lords saving power. and then each
OF Us should strive diligently to be act
i've in spreading the Good News. at home
first. and then unto the utermOst parts of
the world. and thus live and pray and
work looking 20 that time when We shall
reach the other shore and hear our Lord
and Master greet US with. We'll done,
thou good and faithful servant"
And right along this line OF thought
there has never been truer thought Civ
en- to the world than Ellen Thorny-
croft Flowers:
1T is only when people begin to care