The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-09-17
-. 3. Thou Faithful Unto Death
and j WIN Give Thee
4 Crown Of
Life.
CHRISTIAN FIDELITY
a. Gods Grace, Resolve to Fight the
Good Fight Of Faith Until
the Master
Calls.

Sunday Rev. Nels Pearson preached
n. farewell sermon to the congrega-
tim Of the Keokuk Swedish Methodist
Episcopal church, OF whom he has
been the popular pastor for some
time. This sermon was in his native
tongue. The preceding Sunday he
preached his farewell sermon to the
congregation at the Melrose Metho-
dist church in English, following
presumably the same line Of thought
which he presented to his Keokuk
congregation.
Below is given the text Of the Mel
rose sermon, an excellent disserta-
ton upon the true principles Of chris
tianity and the reward that will be
awarded to the faithful at the last
day. Mr.. Pearson's farewell words
we're listened to on both occasions
with marked attention, and had a
striking impression on those who
heard them. He said in substance:
Farewell Sermon.
Text: BE thou Faithful unto death
andI will give thee crown of life"
Revelation 2:10.
This exhortation to christian fidel-
ity is directed to the church OF
Smyrna. At the time of the writing
of this letter the church suffered a
severe persecution from false profess
sors in that city. Very likely some
we're tempted to give up christianity
in order to escape tribulation. 1t was
at this crucial point the Master
spoke words of encouragement to the
little group of christians saying: II
know thy tribulation; fear not even If
thou are to encounter still severer
suffering. Be thou faithful unto
death and l will give thee crown of
life The message is also applicable
to the church of today, no matter
where located or what name 1t has
adopted. Write unto the churches
said the Master to the Apostle John.
Consequently the message is directed
TO the whole church Of Christ, to the
angels OF the churches as we'll as to
the members. He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith
unto the churches.
l. The Master expects His disciples
70 be faithful in their christian duties.
II is plain from various parts OF the
scripture that the Master has assign
60 us different tasks in His vineyard.
come are called to break up and cul-
u'ate new ground; others to scatter
'ne seed of the word, to plant, to
Water, to trim the grapes, and to 9th.
efs the pleasant task of picking the
grapes or gathering in the sheaves
las oeen committed Whatever the
ask may be, whether it be an over
seer OF the flock, shepherd, a
teacher. deacon, steward or a sex
ION, De faithful to your duty Do i,
wen what you are called to do, wheth
q u De the task of the highest i'm
por'ance Or the duty OF utter insig
alncance. Stick to your job unit
uea.n no matter when or in wha
manner 1t comes. The Pompiiar
suaia' who stuck to his task wher
a a' and destruction overlook the
.. IS striking example of faith
l s Let every man follow him il
CHRISTIAN duty. Remember we shall
sre an account to God for our stew
ardship. "
~. /, me Master expects His dis
elpies to be faithful in their afflliatio,
w.. n'n. Many disciples, who ono
v ue FAITHFUL, enthusiastic, BURNING
PSI .a iervor for God, asserting witt
,a s.e, II all forsase thee, I will no
Masa thee" are today following TIL
Master afar Off mr. ont ~ or,,,,,io,