The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-01

haniC Vi Ait lfttu NdS ElOIilitu II must
be that He face whatever difficulties
there were to face; that He undergo
whatever trials there were to undergo
that he might effectively spread the
gospel. If 1t was true with Jesus, 1t
Is true with us. You and ], IL we are
true and faithful. must pass through
life's Samarias. We might try to go
follow Him we must go up through
Samaria. make mention of three of
life's Samarias.
Enemy's Country
a. The Samaria of the enemys coun-
try. Every jew knew that the samari-
tans were their enemies; our Lord and
Master knew 1t full well. but He did
not hesitate because He knew at Sa-
maria were His enemies. You and
must have our enemies. We cannot
get through this world without our
enemies, especially IL we believe some
thing and stand for something and go
deliberately through life with that
something, looking neither to the right
nor to the left. The physician loses
him and calls another physician; the
merchant loses his customer and an
other merchant gets that customer; the
lawyer loses his client and never again
will he come into his office. Every man
makes his enemies. There is not a bus
mess man listening to me today but
who Will have to say: I have my enc
mics
Recognizing this fact that all men
have enemies the question arises. how
must l meet my enemies; what must
do with them. and what kind of a
spirit must I have toward them? If
the Lord Jesus Christ could not get
through this world without his foes so
bitter and SO mean that they cruelty
nailed Him to the cross, we need not
think that we can escape the enemy.
/ sometimes think We would have more
enemies If we were more somebody.
What are you going to do with that
enemy? Do not forget to be a Chris
tan and of all the places in life that
you ought TO be a Christian 1t Is In the
presence of your enemies. DO not for
get the Masters spirit, who, when dy-
ing on the cross, said, Forgive them
| like the words of Paul: If thine
enemy hunger, feed him; If he thirst,
give him drink. Treat them with the
Christ spirit. Ninety-fiye per cent of
church members can mistreat the man
who mistreats them. but / would re-
mind you that you, like your Master
must pass up through samaria.
Samaria of Difficulty
u,o c.o,,,o rio Of ltfeto,,ttt. o,r 7 ord
was confronted by difficulty. but He said
never mind the difficulty. | face them
like a man and L shall meet the diff
Guilty.
Many difficulties confront US in this
life, and | tell you that you are wasting
your time and your energy when you
think for a moment that life should be
without it's difficulties. He who made the
surface of the earth hath made your life
and mine. When you meet up with n
minister and he smiles and his face Is
covered with sunshine. do you think he
never has his troubles? | would not pa
rade my pastoral difficulties before my
people, but do not think for moment
that pastor does not climb mounta ms
and cross the valley and meet the lion
In the way. God hath placed difficulties
along life's pathway.
49, The Samaria of grief and sorrow.
Think of the Apostle Paul, prosecuted by
his friends and his enemies, spending his
last days in the dark prison. The noblest
hero since Jesus Christ left this earth
was Paul but oh his grief and sorrow.
Who are those about the throne so white?
The Bible will tell you. When asked who
are these, the answer came, These are
they that are come up out of great tribu-
laton and have washed their robes and
have made them white Who Is that
crowned One higher than all, who is He?
He that died ON the cross in order to
bring us to the Fathers white throne.
The most sinless One this world ever
knew was the most heavily burdened. 1t
is sometimes true that Gods whitest ones
are under life's blacklist shadows.
why must we pass through lifes Sa-
marias? You know that the goal of life
is human character. The child asks for
playthings and knowledge, but man has
become self equipped and the glory that
awaits child Is the man. The goal OF
life is manhood and there IL Jul one way
10 attain unto this and that is through the
fiery furnace of life.
"Do YOU want to be man? Then re-
member this: You must pass through
life,s Samarias You want to be good
great and strong? Remember this: There
is a going up to Samaria and may We
take the direct line through Samarfa
and land conqueror, though SCARED. Are
YOU thinking about becoming a Chris
tan? ] hold out to you no bunch of roses.
but do hold out to yoD the crown of
life. and 1t Is a hard Way IL you go
straight through. We must come up
through samaria II weg reach the goal
victor