The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1912-10-18

49,. u a. less you say about
IL the better, but
if II is really good news TO you. then
speak Of II in The same joyful way
that you would bring any other glad
tidings.
The president of one OF our largest
theological seminaries was led TO
Christ in this way. During his college
course, as he came out of recitation
one day, a classmate gave him a slap
on the back and said Say, Gus.
wish you were a Christian" Gus made
no reply and the matter was dropped,
but years afterwards he told his friend
that ii was that remark which led him
70 accept Christ as his saviour. The
hearty and natural way in which his
companion spoke, made him feel that
he was missing something which he
could not afford TO lose.
Study the art of diverting conversa
lion to spiritual topics. Go through
the Gospel of John and study careful
ly the Saviour's methods of approach.
ing men. Indeed, the Gospel of JOIN
might be called the personal workers
gospel, so full is II OF incidents which
illustrate this important subject. Take
the case OF the Samaritan woman.
Jesus asked her for a drink of wa.
ter. AS be drank it you can imagine
him saying, This Is very good water.
but any one who drinks 1t will soon
thirst again; whosoever drinketh OF
the water that | shall give him shall
never thirst but the water that / shall
give him shall become in him a well OF
water, springing Up unto eternal life"
What is that?" asked the woman.
"a water, which if you once drink 1t,
you never thirst again. Sir, give
me this water that thirst not, neith-
er come all the way hither TO draw
BY this clever device he excites her
curiosity simply % attract attention
TO himself At another time he is the
bread Of life, the vine, the door, the
Good Shepherd, but whatever the sub
ject of conversation, he always leaves
his hearers face To face with the son
of God, and his supreme claim upon
them.
But | am not the Saviour" you
reply. Very true. but If you are a
Christian. the Saviour dwels in you
and he has said, II will give you a
mouth and a wisdom which all your
adversaries shall not be able to gain.
say or resist"
/ know a lady TO whom an agent
was trying to sell an article for taking
out stains He was rubbing away
and meanwhile eloquently describing
the merits OF his goods. Soon the
lady said, 81 know something that will
take out stains too" What is that?
asked the man eagerly. not knowing
but that some other dirt-killer had
canvassed the town ahead of him
THE blood OF Jesus Christ cleanseth
US from all sin. DO you know any
thing about that, my friend?" DO you
suppose that man would demonstrate
his goods again for six months without
thinking of that other something
which could take stains out OF sin
full hearth" ] doubt II he would for.
get that lesson TO his dying day.
A friend Of mine at the Mortified
conference was asked by an express.
man 10 direct him TO certain mans
tent. 81. sm very sorry" he replied,
that cannot tell you where 10 find
him, but If you had asked me the
way 10 heaven ! could have told you.
DO you know the way 10 heaven
NO" said the man, Il cannot say that
I do" We'll. IL is Just this way" said
my friend, and he went en- TO explain
n. The result vas that the man was
led 20 Christ right then and there
H. Choose an opportune time and
place. II Is not well TO stop one who Is
running for a train 10 inquire about
mis- soul. neither is II the highest wis.
dom 20 give a hungry man a tract
Far better give him a cup Of coffee.
and make 10 SO hot that be cannot
drink Il. Then while he Is slipping the
coffee. you can perhaps say something
20 warm bis heart.
Remember that people are often
more ready 10 talk with strangers
about religion than with those whom
hey know. Remember that the Holy
Spirit Is all the while convicting peO
Ole OF sin. the Providence OF God Is
.ontlnually softening hearts. and pre-
airing the way for some one 20 dro
the good seed OF the gospel Re
member also that thousands Of peopl
ave never once In all their life ha
1e way OF salvation made plain
ZEN, and then IN a firm but lovin
ay have been urged 10 settle u
uestion. and settle Il now.