Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-11-16

II
II the better, but
II It Is really good news TO you. then
speak OF It 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. classmate gave him slap
on the back and said Say. Gus.
wish you were Christian" Gus made
no reply and the matter was dropped.
but years afterwards he told his friend
that 1t was that remark which led him
to 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-
ton to spiritual topics. Go through
the Gospel of John and study careful
ly the Saviours methods of approach
ing men. Indeed. the Gospel OF John
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 drink of wa
ter. As he drank II you can imagine
him saying. This Is very good water.
but any one who drinks 1t will soon
thirst again; whatsoever drinketh OF
the water that shall give him shall
never thirst. but the water that shall
give him shall become In him well OF
water, springing up unto eternal life"
What is that?" asked the woman.
"a water. which II you once drink II.
you never thirst again" Sir. give
me this water that thirst not neith-
er come all the way hither 10 draw"
By this clever device he excites her
curiosity simply 20 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 tho Saviour" you
reply. Very true. but II you are
Christian. the Saviour dwells In you.
and he has said. 81 will give you a
mouth and 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,
the merits OF his goods. Soon the
lady said, Il know something that will
take out stains too" What Is that?'
asked the man eagerly. not knowing
but that some other dirtk 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.
friend of mine at tho Mortified
conference was asked by an express.
man 10 direct him 10 a certain mans
tent. Il am very sorry" he replied,
that cannot tell you where TO find
him. but II you had asked me the
way to heaven could have told you
Do you know the way 20 heaven"
No." said the man, Il cannot say that
do" We'll. It is just this way" said
my friend. and he went on to explain
II. The result was that the man was
II. Choose an opportune time and
place II Is not well TO stop one who IL
running for train to inquire about
his soul. neither Is II the highest wis.
dom TO give hungry man a tract
Far better give him cup OF coffee
drink It. Then while he is slipping the
coffee. you can perhaps say something
to warm his heart.
Remember that people are often
more ready to talk with strangers
about religion than with those whom
they know Remember that the Holy
Spirit is all the while convicting PEG.
pie OF sin. the Providence OF God Is
continually softening hearts. and pre-
pairing the way for some one to drop
In the good seed OF the gospel. Re
member also that thousands OF people
have never once In all their life had
the way OF salvation made plain to
them and then In firm but loving
say have been Urged "a settle she
r. o. aad -e'f.e & .ns