Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-01-01


ing himself by his
own good works,
~ or by the faults OF
others If he has
gone into an inquiry room, or remain
ed for an after-meeting, it is perfect
/ ly proper to ask il he is a Christian.
You can say. + hope you are Chris
tian,' or something which will draw
out an expression of opinion i the
person is an entire stranger. and one
whom you have met outside of re-
ligious meeting, you can enter into
conversation on some general topic,
and rapidly lead UP to the subject of
salvation, 1t is surprising how soon
an opportunity will occur for the main
question, when one is prayerfully seek
ing to be led by the Spirit.
Riding through the country with
pastor, the writer came to house
where the town poor were kept An
old man came hobbling up from the
barn and the following conversation
occurred:
Where are you going, my friend,
when you move away from here?"
4 don't know, I'm sure"
q should suppose that you would
so to the place which they are pre-
pairing for you"
"What?' he said, with look of sur
prise.
4 understand that they are building
a fine home for you, and should think
you would want to move into it when
you leave here
What do you mean?" he asked
I with great eagerness.
Well, said / the good Book says.
In My Fathers house are many man
sions; go to prepare place for you;
and if go. will come again and re-
ceive you urto myself; that whore |
am, there We may be also. If we're
you, l should plan, when l left this
poorhouse, 20 move into my man
sion
"oh," said he with smile. you
mean heaven
Certainly, l replied.
Well" sal he q hope l shall go
to heaven"
~Of course you do, but what rea-
son have yob for thinking that you
will go to hes.ven?"
& think good people are going that
way"
That is true. but they do not go to
heaven unles they have a title to one
of those mansions Have you Sc
cured your title?'
NO" said he sadly. Il haven't"
Would you like to secure it?"
Yes, of course ! would"
You can get it right here if you
wish. am authorized to issue those
titles
Il certainly would like to get one if
you can tell me how"
The Bible says, All we like sheep
have gone astray; we have turned
every one to his own way Does
that apply to you my friend?"
Yes, l have had my own way right
along"
'sThe Bible also says, Let the wick
ed forsake his way, and the upright
eous man his thoughts; and let him
return unto the Lord and he win have
mercy upon him Are you willing to
repent of your sins and call upon God
for mercy?H
Yes, sir, l am
Are you willing to give up your
own way, and henceforth walk in
Gods way?"
4 am.
Jesus says. Behold, | stand at the
door and knock; if any man hear my
voice and open the door, | viii come
into him and sup with him. and he
with me You hear his voice.. Are
you willing to open the door Of your
heart and invite him to come in and
take possession Of your life?"
Il am.
DO you here and now accept Jesus
Christ as your personal Saviour"
Il do, he said solemnly.
will you shake hands with me, as
a pledge Of it?e
Yes, sir" and he did so heartily.
Very we'll, said ! Now let us tell
the Lord just what YOU have told me.
Take off your hat He did so, and l
removed mine, and we had few
words of prayer Then / gave him a
little covenant TO sign and keep as a
minder OF what he had promised the
Lord and Of what the Lord had prom
ised him BY his time the pastor had
Joined me. and ! drove away 1t was
a seed sown hy the wayside, and all
could do was 70 follow It with
prayer.
From that day the old man managed
10 get down to church each Sunday,
though it was several miles away,
and he was qaite lame Soon he
came before the church and asked adj
mission on confession of faith. pass