Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-11-15
hits BACK sL|DERs
IN STRONG SERMON
EVANGELIST OLIVER HITS DRINK.
Frs, CARD PLAYERS AND
MODERN DANCES.

Abba, Nov. 13.-Flaying the society
foibles Of the country and charging
them with being the curse of much OF
the backsliding from righteous living,
Evangelist oliver last night delivered
one of the strongest sermons since the
meetings opened here. There was no
misunderstanding his position. He
recognized the fact that men and wom-
en- did fall away from the truth after
they had once accepted it. but that
1t was not the fault of the truth but
the fault lay in their own desire to
step into the forbidden way. The prim-
rose path was attractive and the draw
ing closer Of the devil lured many
away from the straight and narrow
path. The sermon was replete with
incident and Illustration and made a
strong impression. At the close of the
sermon contrary to the usual custom
at SO early stage of the meeting an
invitation was given and there were a
number of decisions, number of those
coming forward being among the ones
commonly called "backsliders."
strong in illustrative material. He is
said to be one of the strongest preach
ers in evangelistic work today and his
sermons so far in this city bear out
that recognition. He has nothing Of
the bizarre or vaudeville In his deliv-
cry but strikes out straight at sin
with sledge hammer blows.
The big tabernacle will not be large
enough If the attendance continues to
increase. Already surrounding towns
are arranging for delegations. The
sermon of last night follows in part.
'The BacksIider."
My text is found in the book of the
prophet jeremiah, second chapter and
nineteenth verse. Thine own wicked
ness shall collect thee and thy back
sliding shall reprove thee, Know there
fore and see that it is an evil thing
and bitter that thou hast forsaken the
Lord thy God and that my fear is not
in thee saith the Lord God of Hosts"
The sin of backsliding is mentioned
more than eight hundred and fifty
times in the Bible. 1t is without doubt
the most common sin of the human
race. While there are some people
who deny the possibility of backsliding
such people never reach any spiritual
height from whence they could back
slide. There are other people who be-
lieve in backsliding and practice their
belief 1t is sad commentary on hui
mainly to find how lightly the multi
tudes regard their VOWS to God Al
mighty 1t would surprise you to see
how many backslidden preachers I
pick up and restore to lives of right
eousness in the course Of a years
work. ...- .,..g. ,e
have had great deal of sympathy
with the theological blunder Of the old
negro preacher who found the words,
'tYour feet shall be as the kinds feet, "
He studied long time over that word
"hind's" and finally made up his mind
that it was the old-fashioned way of
spelling hen and he built this sermon
around the structure of the hens foot.
In the course of his remarks he said.
''Brudern, an sistern. My text this
mawni' am powerful salubrious. It
says yo' feet shall be like the hin's
foot; an you all knows de character
of de hin's foot. (And they all did,
De hin's foot has three toes in front
and one powerful toe behind. Dat
hind toe keeps de hin from backsliding
an de Lawd done promised to make
yo' feet like the hin's feet" don't
know brethren, what is to become of
some Of the members of your churches
if they don't get that hind toe on their
feet.
The intelligent physician in diagno-
sis looks almost instantly from symp-
toms to causation. There are causes
for backsliding which should be dis
cussed and clearly understood by the
masses. There are, unfortunately, men
and women in the world who are NOR
ally weak, constitutionally weak, and
they need help. The word Of God says
Brethren, If a man be Overtaken in
a transgression, We which are spiritual
restore such a one in the spirit Of
meekness, considering myself lest thou
also be tempted" The duty Of the
Christian men and women of any COM
munity is clearly set forth in this COM
mand of scripture. I have friend in
the United States senate who is a
talented man. His defense of religion
on the lecture platform will rival the
eloquence of the greatest preacher in
the world, and he means every word
VI L., UuC NC Ado q WOdhASoo e1hu tAhe@S
weakness has we'll nigh wrecked him
physically and morally He has an ap-
petite for strong drink. My friend,
Melvin, Trotter, the rescue mission
man who was saved from life of
drunken debauchery said in my hear
ing, "The man who can drink or let
1t alone lets it alone. The man drinks
because he can't help It," I consider
that statement from a man who went
down to the very brink of hell through
drink, one of the greatest of warnings
to the young man who thinks he is
smart to drink liquor.
Another cause of backsliding is the
indulgence of goddess amusements.
The amusements which easily lead
their devotees into compromised and
unctristian atmosphere. The card
table has degenerated many church
into an organization of fashionably
dressed gamblers.
The dance, as an amusement, is TAX.
ing beautiful girls from church. homes
and sending them to the slum districts
of the great citieslin lives of abandon
ment and shame.