Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1911-03-29
Empty Seats.

Are you going to church this morn
ing. Susie?" asked DR. Clarke, lying
back in his easy chair, with the Sun
day paper. "A doctor who is out day
and night can't be expected"
mo; | made jelly yesterday, and
I'm tired. I'm faithful enough to stay
at home this cloudy morning" And
Mrs. Clarke curled up on the couch
with the Bible she had not opened for
week. but it soon dropped from her
hand. She was aroused by a strange
voice saying: Now, my good imps,
what have you done today to weaken
the kingdom of God?" The voice came
from a suspicious looking parsonage
seated on a throne of human skulls.
Around him was gathered a crowd or
terrible beings, each with crown OF
fire in which cleaned some name,
such as malice, envy, pride, hatred,
and kindred passions. I'VE have been
busy today making empty seats IN
churches" began one. Nothing could
please ME better" answered their
king. 81 persuaded one man that he
had a headache and kept him from
the sermon that might have changed
his whole life" 81 persuaded one man
to slip to his store and fix up his
books" said another, with a horrld
grin. Good" said the king. HE II
soon give up the Sabbath altogether"
81 was able to get one devoted young
man to visit some old friends, SAID
one imp 81 worried young sister
about her old bonnet until she decided
to stay at home until she got a new
one" spoke up the imp labeled
pride" and | made some poor wom-
en- who were hungry for Gods word
stay at home to repine over their
trials. just said to them: oh, these
rich people don't care for you you
can't wear fine clothes, so | wouldn't
go where | was looked down upon.
That way | kept many poor people
home whom the rich would have been
very glad to see" THAT is one of the
best ways to cheat poor people out OF
heaven that | know Of" answered the
king, with approval But you lying
inns must use every weakness OF the
flesh to help make empty seats. Ihey
all smiled, for in their kingdom
lying" was a great compliment. i m
the weather imp said one gloomy Eel
low. 81 go around persuading people
it is going to rain, or 1t is too cold,
too damp or too hot, to venture out
to church. 1t is enough even to make
your gloomy majesty laugh TO see
these same people start out the next
day in wind and weather. One would
think it a sin to carry umbrellas and
wear gum coats to church" Conn
dentiallv." answered the king, when
/ find a Christian who has no more
concern about the weather Sunday
than undetermined to make as
much effort for spiritual gain as he
would for worldly profit just give
him up. Such Christians are usually
the busiest men and women in the
community. They want to be religious
and desire to prepare their souls to be
fit to stand before God. They know
that they must go before Him some
day, whether they like it or not. They
have a care for their souls and are
never too busy to give it thought.
They want to know where they are to
live forever. They realize that bust
ness will not keep them from death.
They do not care to make a success
of their business and failure Of their
immortal souls. They attend all serv-
ices of the church, no matter what
character or at what time. They have
found out that it does not hurt their
business They refuse to be driven
by their business and are not con-
J tent to give the crumbs and remnants
of their time to the service of God