Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-06

IL ,HOt,S nave 1allSQ 10 possess ~ 1uilS.
@' .
When person is brought to Christ
he is likewise brought to his best self.
~
The Bible incident upon which this
lesson is based relates how two dis
ciples of the Baptist, at the latter's
suggestion, left him to follow the
Greater One who had come. Little
did John and Andrew dream of what
was involved in this decision. Life is
a succession of choices; and each
choice of higher involves the likeli-
hood of having to abandon this In its
turn for something still higher. Dis
cipleship of John led to discipleship
of Jesus; discipleship of Jesus led to
the abandonment of home and business
and vocation, in order that life might
be wholly merged into his cause. When
one sets out to follow Christ there Is
no telling where he will end. That
decision has meant for millions OF
persons a complete transformation OF
their circumstances and work and
character.
To follow the best is always to find
a better.
Society women are forever having a
succession of fads, and nobody crit
icises them for growing enthusiastic
over each of these passing interests.
Why should a Christian feel himself
subject to unfriendly comment if he
displays enthusiasm over what his
Savior means to him? If in reverens,
tactful fashion, he talks Christ, is he
not sharing his best knowledge with
his friends, and thus comforting an
honor upon them?
The world is keen to hear from ex.
lperts. If man has discovered Tor
says he has discovered) either the
north pole or a new fashion in old
Greek music, and in the wearing OF
the ancient style of Greek clothes.
crowds flock to listen to him. The
query naturally suggests itself, would
not our acquaintance, and the world
at large, be more eager to listen to us
upon the subject of religion if our
! knowledge were more expert? If we
were specialists upon Christ-so in
timately acquainted with him that we
could speak with authority--would
not that note of gertrude command a
/ hearing?
.'Shop talk" in religion is baneful
Strip the conventional vocabulary off
! the subject of introducing men to
Jesus Christ, and it would straightway
the very phrase, winning souls has
been overworked, to the point of
feebleness. SO with the other, leading
men to Christ" The tactful friend of
the Master will drop all these stereo
typed forms of speech from his vocab-
ulary.
Three of the first six men to identity
themselves with the new Teacher
Jesus, were led to do 50 by the other
three, two of whom shared their novel
discipleship with their own brothers.
1 This is the come and see" passage.
l And Christianity is the come and seq
religion. 1t stands all tests, and can
submit to all provings. With that trep-
idation Cook offered his documents to
the University of Copenhagen! But all
the schools of learning on earth have
examined the proofs of Christianity.
| The number of it's adherents and adj
/ vocates among the learned is steadily
| increasing. The significance of the fact
that the Convention of the Student
| Volunteer Movement in Rochester is
the largest of all gatherings represent
tative of North Americas institutions
1 of higher learning should be pressed
upon the thought Of young people.
| Come" is more attractive word
than Co The latter is properly only
on the lips of authority. Christ the
friends said Come" before Christ the
Header said Co The attitude of all
disciples should be that of invitation
Life as well as lips should express it.
haJ.n xx,it f1,n .s-f;
4 "the privilege and joy OF friendship
with my Lord Put him to the test for
yourself, and be satisfied"
+ -
I All the won should win.
Thou must be true thyself,
Ere thou the truth canst teach;
Thy heart must overflow,
Ere thou another's heart canst reach
Il 1t needs the overflow of heart,
To give the lips full speech
1t may be of some service to a man
If, In the time of trial. l put round him
the sympathetic arm of a brother; but
1t is infinitely better if I can get him
to allow Christ to put round him his
strong arm.-James Stalker.
There is power in the Testimony
meeting" People like to hear life
i
not the great preachers who go down
to the rescue meetings that win con-
verts, but the Christians who arise,
one after another. and tell, often
stumbingly, what Christ has done for
them. Witnessing wins.
All helpers are helped. There is as
, sistance for disciples. God has prom :
Used his mysterious, near and potent
Spirit for the aid of all who undertake
to do his work and enlarge the circle
of his friends.
SEVEN SENTENCE SERMONS
What have you done today, that no
body but a Christian would do?-Bab-
.. cock.
The great man is he who does no,
: lose his child's heart.-Mencius.
If you have gentle words and looks
my friends,
, To spare for me-if you have tears to
shed