The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-03-01
ALMOST PERSUADED
NOT SUFFICIENT
SMITH SAYS THAT TOO MANY
LET JUST ONE THING STAND
BETWEEN THEM AND CHRIST.

closed the series commenced here a
month ago by Evangelist Smith with
the exception of one more. day-Sun-
day. 1t has been a series of meet
ings in which the interest has been
keen and Evangelist Smith has filled
Elite hall every evening he has
preached. Sunday will be the last
dav of the revival and elaborate plans
have been mad to make the several
meetings the best of their kim ever
held in Missoula.
Mr.. Smith preached a sermon thai
was very characteristic and more
searching than usual last evening. He
dealt with many new and some needy
points in Christianity. There were a
number of decisions made at the close
of the service and a large number
came. forward when the invitation was
extended.
The Sermon.
For his sermon Evangelist Smith
used the. following text: "Thout art
not far from the Kingdom" but One
thing thou lackest," Mark 1884, and
Mark 1921. He said: you will OBJ
serve that my text is the combination
of parts of two verses. With the adj
dition of one word they express a con-
dition always existing at this stage of
a campaign for souls. Scores of peo-
pie are not far from the Kingdom,
and are almost persuaded to be Chris
tian, but not quite. I believe that
hundreds Of souls reach that place
every time a meeting of this sort is
held, only to go back n be lost, and
the second part of the text tells why.
There is II thing, not many things.
which they are unwilling to give up.
That was an interesting discovery to
me years ago. I went to a young
man one evening, who gave as his rea-
son for moi being a Christian. there
are so many things standing in the
way but when we got down to the
last. analysis, there was but n thing,
and that / find usually to- be the. case.
1t was true of the rich young a
who asked What good thing shall do
to inherit eternal life?' He had just
one thing standing in the way after
all-his possessions. I heard Bishop
Bristol characterize this mar as a
young nan loved by Christ, but lost
and l asked why was he lost?' Was
it because he was a great sinner? But
you cannot believe that. Was it be-
couse he was a hypocrite? But that
answer will not do, for Christ loved
him and he despised the. ]hypocrite.
Was he lost because he was not in
earnest? That answer is not salts
factory, for a finer Illustration OF
earnestness cannot be found. So one
is forced to the. conclusion that he was
| 1n-4 lr,n ~ 1N 1,-I -, sJN1 i,,c{ n cS
are. in the lost condition tonight, be-
cause there is some one thing you do
not want to surrender. That one
thing may be a besetting sin, a
worldly pleasure, or your pride, or it
may be the manfearing spirit, but no
matter, one thing is sufficient to doom
and damn a soul Jesus Christ did
not excuse this man because he was
moral, rich and Influential. The
record is hat he went away grieved,
for he had great possessions and
there is no account of his coming
back to Christ. Loved by Christ, but
lost because he was no willing to
give up the m thing lacking, just as
you are unwilling tonight.
"Fo a month a fearful warfare has
been on in this hall. The battle has
been between Christ the King OF
light. and Satan the prince of dark
ness, and the contention has been for
souls-your soul. When you go from
this hall tonight I ask in whose pos
session will you be, Christ or Satan
l beg of you do not let one thing, or
many things as the case. may be, keep
you from saying, Tt shall be Jesus.
Join with the many who have taken
that step"
Sunday Announcements.
Sunday will be the last day of the
union meetings and great plans are on
for making it "The great day of the
feast The following are the serv-
ices planned !:
Union Service.
Union morning service, 10, at Elite
hall. Evangelist Smiths subject will
be who is the strong an? Some
call his his best" The finest music
of the campaign will be heard at this
time. A splendid quartet composed
of Mrs. T. A. Price, Miss Edna Chad
wick, and Messrs. Gilmore and King.
Ter will sing Haven's There's a Friend
III Ile HOlteidIlu, MI. S9lIiItA NouSilCs
that it will be the finest song of the
month of meetings. Mrs. Harolt
High and Mr.. Smith will sing Por-
tiers "Oh Jesus Thou Are Standing
Members of the choir are. urged to be
in their places promptly at 10 a. m.
and all others as early as possible.
Meeting For Men.
Mass meeting for men, 3 p. m. a
Elite hal. Mr.. Smith will give 6
confidential talk and relate army Incl
dents. Boys under IL admitted onl,
with their fathers.
The male quartet will sing. Thi:
will be the browning mems meeting.
Women's Meeting.
Women's meeting 3 p. m. at FRS
Methodist church, addressed by Mis-:
Elizabeth Freeman o. of Seattle
field student secretary of the Y. w. c
A.. Miss Alice Shepard will be IT
| charge of the. music. A great trea'
| is in store for all who attend. A spe-
rial invitation is extended to the young
| ladies' of the university, business col
lega and high school,, The ChurcF