Evening journal., 1913-02-21
continued from Page Fiye.

GO0IinueQ lIOHl Idbt IiNts
the folly of putting off the day of salr
walton, living on through life in sin,
specu4ating all the while upon Gods
mercy, and planning to embrace re-
ligion at deaths approach, simply
aud only for the sake Of protection.
1T would seem strange that any
one who acknowledges the value and
supreme importance of religion in
life. should ever be found in Joab's
place, impenitent, when he comes TO
die And yet we do find that multitndes
of people who are ready enough to
admit the power Of the gospel never
think seriously of their own saliva
tion until the fear Of approaching
death drives them to the altar. The
thought that the Lord will delay his
coming in judgment induces many to
put off the day Of salvation until 1t IS
too late, and when they die they die
like Joab, conscious of their guilt and
fearful Of impending doom, yet inn
penitent and without peace.
"There are many inducements to
such life of folly. The heart by ma
ture, and in the great majority OF
cases by all the influences Of early
training and of irreligious compan-
ionship, is turned in the direction OF
selfish qualification. But to enter
upon the Christian life involves IN
every case a large degree of self de-
NAL. It requires that the heart he
changed, that the first place, which
before was Staken up with self, be
given to another. 1t sometimes means
an actual REIMBURSEMENT Of worldly
hopes and ambitions. II always re-
quires a willingness to give them up
if found to stand in the way OF a sue
ressful Christian life For anyone
whose whole attention has been aD-
sorbed in the pursuit of pleasure OF
wealth or worldly achievement OF any
kind 10 resolve to forsake all and fol-
low Jesus-that is TO be ready 10
make any sacrifice necessary in order
10 follow him faithfully, requires
courage and determination. To be o
Christian means TO renounce, sin anu
TO renounce sin means to deny sell.
How many young people, reallzihe
this fact that to follow Jesus Christ
involves the REIMBURSEMENT of every
sinful pleasure and ambition, but fail-
ing to realize that It involves also
the ACQUISITION of higher pleasures
and loftier ambitions that are not sin
full. still cling to the old life, putting
off from day to day and from year 10
wear the step which seems to require
such self denial, yet fully expecting
at some future time to loosen theiI
hold upon the world and seek the
blessings of religion.
THUS numbers Of people who are
not without a sense OF their need o.
religion neglect the altar al sacrince
simply because they are not willing
to relinquish their hold upon tnis OF
that practice which they know TO bs
sinful. The young ruler who went ava,
sorrowful when told by the master
This one thing thou lackest, Is typ'
of many in our day who would glaol!
be followers of Jesus but for SOM
one thing which prevents them iron
making a complete surrender OF thel
hearts to him. II does not require
multitude of cherished sins TO keel
one out OF the kingdom OF God.h On
evil habit cherished and cluns TO unit
it has become your master is III itsei
enough to work the ruin Of you
character. Joab's heart was not al
wrong He had some grand trait
and. but for the evil traits which h
allowed t. master his better self. h
might have spent his last moment
al the altar, not as a guilty coward
fleeing from justice, but as a humble
penitent and grateful worshiper.
Anyone who studies the characte
OF Macbeth will find there noble trait
that might have been developed int
grand virtues, but he, like so man
others. allowed himself TO be govern
ed by his besettiug sin and that on
sin worked his ruin. So easily ar
men and women induced to resist IN
strivings of Gods spirit, persuadln
themselves that immediate action
not necessary-that they may cor
tinue TO enjoy for time the pleas
ures and temporary advantages OF
sinful life. and still find room at th
last for repentance and saving faiu
"Such course. is unreasonabl
Evens as regards your personal we
fare here and now are not the bless
ipgs of religion more TO be desire
than all the temporary gains OF
sinful life? What doors of hope for
truly happy and prosperous life al
omen to YOU now that will be close
bv your entrance upon life or nun
bic faith in Christ and obedience
his teachings? Some things must II
deed be given up but, after all, whe
looked at in a reasonable light, al
they not such things as may easil
and to any ones advantage be doI
away with. Have you ever heard
true and earnest Christian eXpre'
regret for the loss sustained in ente
ing upon the life of faith, obedien'
and love toward Christ. On the col
trary have not many testified in yo'
hearing that the gain, even as CO.
Germs the present life, is infinite
greater than the loss, and that the II
Of faith is the only satisfactory III
"Now if these things are true, Whit
your own reason constrains you to b
lieW must you not admit that it
unreasonable for you longer to
glect the altar az sacrifice.
"Such neglect is also dishonorab
Think Of the case of Joab. A man
splendid talents, capable of accol
plishing great good in the worl
with an influence such 7s few arou
him possessed. what Victories mig
he not have won for the cause of I
ligion But. instead Of throwing
powerful influence on the side of TT
religion. he neglected or scorned {
sacred altar, and lived a selfish Ii
investing all for personal honor a
aggrandizement. Then, without a
real change OF heart. he seeks 10 {
cape the consequences Of his e
deeds by fleeing 10 the sanctuary a
1avino hold upOn thp horns of