Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1913-12-13

the same, tnat nrSt night on ear IN
was a prophesy, for In spite OF apos-
ties. martyrs. saints and reformers
Jesus had not found room in relig-
ious. political. social or individual
spheres OF life in the case OF the mil
lions who have gone on their way
either unheeding or Indifferent o
the tragedy Of the centuries-no room
for Jesus The Lord of all despised
by the many. The region of outer
darkness is filled with those who said.
US: depart: no room for the King!
Room for pleasure, room for business
But for Christ the crucifed.
Not place that ne can enter;
In your heart for which he dled?''
No room for Jesus. 1t Is true to-
day Christ is not wanted. and the
Bethlehem story repeats itself. In
the city life proof is found In the
legalized saloon and all that goes
with II, in corrupt and vicious govern
ment, in loose laws and looser enforce
ment, in dishonest business. in social
laxity and impurity. In many homes
evidence is seen In the character OF
the books in the library. the pictures
upon the walls, careless, ill-tem-
pered and profane language and con-
versation, and the ungodly habits Of
parents and the irreverence and dis
obedience OF children. He who came
to make home life heaven has been
denied his place. Yes. and in many
of our churches we find II true; there
are worldly officers and even preach
ers, members in whom the pleasures
and riches OF this world crowd out
everything else, members who give
more money to their lodge or club
than they do to the church, women
who pay more for a single hat or men
who spend more on a single luxury
than they give to missions. young peo-
pie who spend many hours at the
dance but not even a few minutes in
Bible study or devotion or prayer. and
give more time to social diversions
than to salvation-it is true: There
Is no room for Jesus.
And just as our knowledge about
this Jesus Is greater than in that
time, so is our responsibility heavier,
our shame deeper, our sin greater
We know him in all the light which
his word and which all subsequent
history cast upon him. We know him
too-and this is our weightiest re-
Gil In hn 1of vy1 oh
set up eternally by the Cross Of Cal
vary" What will we say to him in
the end?
What is wrong? Why do we keep
Christ out? Why are our hearts
closed against him? Is it opposition :?
No, not usually Let us look at
Bethlehem. for there is a slight paral-
lei. Any Jewish mother however
humble would have rejoiced at the
great honor which came to Mary. and
any home however lowly would have
been made ready for Jesus. Any
ruler. rabbi, or priest then in Bethle-
hem would have taken any step nee
essary to welcome Jesus. il he had
known. But it was time when every
available space was taken by pill
grims, these peasants did not look
like promising guests. people were
pre-occupied with what they consid-
cred weightier matters, and so liter
ally Christ was crowded out: even
IN the public place. there was no room
In the inn--the inn was full.
Bethlehem will rise up and con-
denim US. If 1t had known the day OF
its visitation, room would have been
made for Jesus, he would have had
royal reception. But you know about
him; he has sent word tC you: he has
been waiting for place in your
heart; you know who he is and what
he will do for you: you have heard
the story of his love and grace and
power. and still-no room for Jesus.
Behold, | stand at the door and
knock" Will you rot let him in? I
said this text was the most pathetic
verse in the Bibl.; but it Is not so
pathetic as the tragedy of the men
and women of today who are pre-
occupied with the world. the flesh and
the devil. and who in wilfuI and
culpable rejection crowd Christ out
of their lives. who give themselves
over to the things of time and sense,
and send Christ TO the stable. Come,
now. and let us reason together.