The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-02-23
"Be Strong"

BE Strong"
Weakness is sometimes sin. Some
are weak because they ave One
whose mind is not fully made up on
the fundamental questions of life does
not quite respect himself, and for
feits the respect Of sensible people.
There are three things concerning
which there should be no wavering.
Concerning God and sin and the
future everyone should have a settled
mind. Toward God there should be
answering loyalty at all hazards.
From sin each one should turn away
with his whole heart and forever,
cost what it may. AS for the future.
every mar should set his face toward
Mount Zion, and march as straight
as possible toward the gate Of the
City of Light. There can be no two
intelligent opinions about these great
fundamental things. The man who
Is positive and unwavering in the
right will have the respect Of all sen.
sible men, and WELD a mighty in1u.
ence in the community where he may
live. His neighbors may not choose
W ldll LII Will Alo ways OoI SHSS "N
be forced TO respect him.
Some years ago an international
convention of the Young Mems Chris.
tian Association was held in Boston,
and delegates from all parts of tho
world were present. One young man
who had travelled a long distance told
a chapter of his experience IN the
wilds of Australia.
His father had settled on a ranch
in a sparsely settled region. A custom
had grown up among the frontiers
men to meet together at the house OF
one of their number every Saturday,
spend the evening in feasting, drink
ing, gambling, and Sunday morning
in telling stories, and go home in a
bad shape on Sunday afternoon.
When it came the turn Of the father
Of this young MAI to entertain he
called his SON. together, and said to
them: "We have come to the part
ing of the ways. I was brought up
in the old country to lead a religious
life. If we continue to stand by the
principles of our religion we shall
lose the friendship Of our neighbors,
and perhaps suffer harm. But If we
follow the customs of this country we
shall all go to perdition together.
My mind is made up. 1 will not break
your mothers heart by departing
from my convictions. TIC all drink
ing, gambling and Sabbath breaking
[ say, MOI"
The young men were sent out to
convey the invitation to ~neighbors
within fifty miles, and this was the
form of the invitation: Father in
vites you to come to his house on
Saturday as usual. There will be no
liquor, no gambling-only quiet talks
about the old country and the inter-
ests of the colony" Would they
come?
They did come in larger numbers
than on any former occasion, some
out Of curiosity, and some out Of re-
spect for a man viii had the courage
Of his convictions. They sat down to
the feast, and the father reverently
asked the Divine blessing while silent
tears rolled down some hard faces.
When Sabbath morning came, he
brought out the old Bible and con-
Quoted family worship with fifty
rough Tanchmen sitting by. Then
Christian songs were sung, and quiet
conversation about the old country
filled the time. Many of those men
had never witnessed such a scene, and
they were all deeply moved. They
went home sober and thoughtful. 1t
was a great victory for righteousness.
1t was also the beginning of a great
reformation, and that community be-
came the most moral and prosperous
Of any in all that part of the country.
All this because one man had con-
victions, and the courage of his con-
victions. He knew what he ought to
do and did it. He decided to do right,
cost what it might. He did right be-
cause it was right and not because of
any glory or reward that might come.
1t was this positive and manly char
acter that made him strong. His in
1uelce in that community was
mighty. He was a prince. Had he
wavered. faltered, halted between two
opinions, he would have lost his
crown. 1t pays to be steadfast. 1t is
weak and cowardly to waver. "They
that fear the Lord shall be strong,
and do exploits. christian AdTo-
cate.
Greed For Cain.
~ - +l,o .,ool 70, ,,oi, tboL &c