Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-04-15
PASTORAL LETTER
Ministers Association Makes Earnest
Appeal to Christians and All
Others in This Fair City.

The following Is an open 20 storal
litter from the Ministers Association
of Martiasbnrg to the Christian mem
bershlp of their churches and to al
the people Of this fair city. and which
will be read With interest:
Dearly Beloved
We extend our cordial greeting to
you and wish you every blessing. We
cannot refrain from giving expression
to our feelings Of deyout gratitude to
cur God for His wonderful goodness
IN putting it into the hearts OF the ma
iority of our citizens to decide against
the perpetua ton of the saloon with
IN our borders, with all it's attendant
and consequent evils. And we be-
speak for all those who have been en-
gagged in this business, your kindly in
terest in helping them to secure other
lires OF honorable activity and useful
ness.
To our church members we wish 10
make cur earnes appeal for quick
ening OF your religious and spiritual
life. The campaign just closed has
shown clearly what the people can do
when thoroughly aroused and IN earn
est. We do entreat you that your zeal
may not wane but that it may abound
yet more and more, coupled ever with
a sound discretion. We pray you e...at
every christian may throw aside all
slothfulness and consecrate himself
and herself to the service of the bless
ed Christ. Not only has He given us a
Christ. Not only has He given us a
great work to do, but He has provided
for US everything that is needful for
the accomplishment OF that work
And in doing His work for Him we
find our own salvation made sure and
our spiritual life strengthened In try
ing to save Others we save ourselves.
We realize that God has entrusted to
us His work in this city. Our churches
are the agencies through which it is
His good pleasure to effect His pur-
poses. He has planted them here to
be His watchmel to safeguard the in
terests OF this community and He
holds us responsible for the trust. He
is looking to the pastors and officers
and the members of these churches to
redeem this people from eternal
death. II We are faithful to our trust
we have the promise of His presence
and blessing upon our efforts. Your
labor is not in vain in the Lord. We
are blessed with large membership
in churches OF this city. Let US have
your cordial and jealous help.
Christians OF Martinsburg, will yor
not come up to the help of the Lord
against the mighty! Rally to your
churches and uphold the hands of
your pastors. Fill these empty seats
every Sabbath day and every prayer
meeting night Fulfill the solemn
vows you have taken. Give your pas
tor an opportunity to instruct you. He
can not reach you when you are alb
sent from church. VIII you not begin
from this glad hour to strive in earn
est for the upbuilding of the church Of
Jesus Christ in our Greater Martins
burg?" Do your part and this work
will be well done. Give us your earn
est cooperation in our church work
N your church work and our churches
will be built up and multitudes of
souls will be saved 1t is when the
people have a mind to work that the
work will be done. Empty seats in
the Sanctuary will save nobody,
neither will they benefit either the
church or the town. If you are to let
your churches go along with the sa-
looms, you will soon find that mere
temperance cannot save your city
from violence and sin. You have
simply left your house empty, swept
and garnished but still prey to the
devil and his hosts. Come to the help
OF your pastors. They are doing their
hest to fill their pulpits. but you,
christian people must fill the pews.
Your pastors will try to do their duty
of God, you must do your part! See
what great things the Lord hath done
for us within the past few weeks
VIII you not take on new courage
and press with vigor on! "Be not
weary in we'll doing" Let US not
weary in well doing for in due season
we shall reap if we faint not" ITO
them who by patient continuance in
well doing seek fer glory and honor
and Immortality, He will render eter
nal life. 'fNo man having put his
hand to the pillow and locking back is
fit for the kingdom of God" HE that
erdureth to the end shall be saved"
Looking forward then with high
hopes for the growth of our city OF
which we are Justly proud, we de
sire with an intense longing that Mar
tinsburg may be known abroad fol-
the sasbrfety and purity OF its citizens;
for the wholesome religious zeal and
liberality of its churches; for the hap
piness of its homes and the piety Of
4 l.