The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-02
UNDER OBLIGATIONS
TO HEARkEA DEMANDS
DIR. w. E. Gibson Delivers Strong Ser
mon In Broadus Memorial
Church,

Despite the downpour Of rain. a
goodly crowd was present last evening
In Broadus Memorial Church, when
the pastor, Rev. w. E. G.oson, d. D..
spoke on 1.-THE Convenient Season."
DR.. Gibson said in part:
IF the apostle Paul had been a poll
tician. a wire-puller. instead of the
Christian man he was, he would have
had a splendid opportunity TO have
served his own interests. II he had
been willing to compromise his man
hood or his Christian principles, he
might have taken the position that
his release from prison and the good
he could do released would justify him
in using this occasion to win the ia
vor of the governor. He might have
said some very pleasing things to the
governor. He might have used little
fiattery and praise and handed out a
few dollars as compliment of good
will and been set at liberty to go
where he pleased. For 1t is said of
Felix, he hoped also that money
should have been given him OF Paul
that he might loose him; wherefore he
sent for him the oftener, and COM
muned with him But Paul was a
Christian man, and he preached not
what his select audience wished to
hear. but what they needed to know.
Here was q chief Justice waiting for
a bribe, q man in high position living
in sin, the woman a. his side the
wife of another man, and Paul talks
about Righteousness, self-control and
the Judgment to come. Here con-
science needs to be awakened; here
sin needs be perceived and abhorred;
here sinful man needs to know he
must stand before God and be judged.
To the governor Paul presents Coos
manifestations he must De
right with God and do right before
the world; he must exercise self-con-
troll be pure in his life and charac-
ter. and reminds him he must some
day stand before the Judge of all the
earth and give answer for the deeds
done in the body. Paul holds up be-
fore him the mirror of conscience and
lets him see himself in all his UNI
worthiness before God. And as ne
reasoned OF Righteousness. self-controi
and Judgment to come, Felix trem-
bled, he turned pale and his hands
and knees shook with terror. -Ine
prisoner at the bar has convicted the
Judge on the bench. Though under
deem conviction, he temporized, he
nrocrastfnated. he postponed repent
ance. he refused obedience to the de-
mandg of conscience and of God, put
ting God off for a convenient season.
These three truths were then en-
phasized by DR.. Gibson in his sermon
First. All men are under obligations
To harken to the demands OF the
yosnel II is written, God commands
ali men everywhere to repent by
right of creation, by right of preserva-
ton. by right OF redemption, because
He alone is God. the giver OF all bless.
ings. the only one who mas mercy anu
grace to bestow, He demands or US
right attitude toward Him. right re-
lation with Him.
Seeond. 1t Is n great sin and an
awful risk to trifie with Gods offer or
mercy by a delay for a more con-
yenient season. Who are we that we
should tell God to wait till We get
ready? Tha tive should tell GOO to
keep on holding out his hand toward
us with mercy and blessing, week aIler
week, month after month. year after
year. until we feel like accepting, or
until we get ready to receive what He
offers to give7 Many have delayed
until too late. Let Us understand Wen
and thoroughly that unless the de-
mands Of the gospel are complied with
we are lost, doomed, among those to
whom the scripture refers, who with
hardness and impuritent hearts are
treasuring up unto themselves wrath
against the day of wrath and revela-
ton of the righteous judgment OF God.
Third. The convenient season for
accepting Gods offer of mercy and
grace Is the season We have. A more
convenient season never came to Felix.
A convenient season such as he had
and neglected never comes again SO
invitingiy, so favorably. and some
times never comes again at all.
At the close of the service two young
men were baptized and another young
man received by letter.