Pleasantville weekly press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1890-1911, 1911-01-28
Our zebedees
Pastor McClelland breaches Strong
Sermon to Men

- Last Sunday morning was stormy,
and the audience at the Presbyterian
church was largely composed of men.
The pastor preached a sermon especially
for men. His subject was "Zebedee"
He said in part:
Zebedee seems to have been good
fisherman and prosperous in business.
He had splendid wife, Salome, who was
a faithful follower of Christ, one of the
band who was last at the cross, and first
at the empty tomb. He had two noble
sons, James and John, vigorous fellows,
called sons of thunder, and among the
foremost of the apostles. But Zebedee
!. himself seems to have had no time to
follow Jesus. He was busy with his
boats, nets and servants, fishing, and,
SO far as the record shows, never became
a Christian. Was he not like some Of
the men in modern times? They, like
Zebedee, are perfectly willing that their
good wives be faithful Christians, and
that their sons and daughters also fol-
low the Saviour. But they themselves
have neither time nor inclination to
serve its Master. They are tirst-rate
men, good and kind in their homes, faith
full in their business, honorable in their
dealings and ready to stand for what is
right in social and secular affairs, but
when it comes to following Christ, are
not there.
~ Are they not guilty of Sinking
duty? When one is afflicted with ma
lignant disease, is it not his duty to use
proper remedies, and do what he can to
throw off the disease and recover health
l, il, H. 49,
rightly regarded as shirking duty? Sin
is deadly spiritual disease that has ta-
ken hold of every one, and unless deliv
cred therefrom must perish. There is
only one remedy. None other name
whereby we can be saved, but that of
Jesus" He that believeth hath ever
lasting life, and he that believeth not
shall not see life" Is it not the solemn
duty of every one to come to Jesus and
be faithful christian? To fail to do
SO is shirking the most important duty
one owes to himself
(2) Is he not guilty also of robbing
himself of many blessings and prvi-
leges? Forgiveness of sin, peace of
mind, peace with God are great bless
ings gained only through Jesus. The
Lords self guidance, protection along
life's pathway, are great favors that
come to us in the same way. The priv
ilege of prayer, whereby We can east our
burdens ON Him and have the comfort of
his supporting grace, is an inestimable
privilege. Of this and many other bless
ings do people rob themselves, who fail
to become Christians. Especially do
they rob themselves of victory over
death, blessed immortality and heaven
forever. What robbers of ourselves We
become, if we don't follow Jesusl
l3) Then he cheats religion and Christ
of the moral influence that every one
owes to God and his fellow man. Ev-
eryone has influence; but who has so
much as our good substantial men? Ma
ny depend ON them, and young men look
up to and pattern after them. One
thing that keeps many of our young men
from following Christ, is the example of
many of our business and professional
men. They forget that Jesus says He
that is not with me is against me, and
he that gathereth not with me scatter
eth 1t may be that they don't realize
that they oppose Christ, and send many
a young fellow seurrying down to ruin,
but they do.
a. Do not our Zebedees lay heavy
burdens on their wives, and then hinder
them in handling these burdens? They
lay all the burden of religious training
of their children OH their wives. Is that
fair? This is the most important duty
that comes to parents. Both parents
should heartily unite in doing this work.
But how many fathers, instead of help
ing, hinder their wives III the good work.
Their example and personal influence is
precisely in opposition to the teaching
the mothers give their children, and too
often wholly counteracts it, SO that in
after years they sit in sorrow and sing
Where is my wandering boy tonight y