The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-04-21


life. All his preaching was enforced
by his testimony. Il live. yet not !
but Christ liveth in me-" Sturgeon
comments on the wondrous power of
George Muller's preaching: it was quite
simple, but the nearer felt that here
was a man dealing with realities of
which he knew. The bishop of Dur
ham tells of a university preacher at
Cambridge who generally spoke to
empty benches, yet when the students
we're sick or dying they would send
for this man; his life was fragrant.
2. His prayers were another source
Of Paurs riches for the world. We
may say without straining language
that he prayed without ceasing,"
and we may follow him here. Says
John R. Mott: 1T is possible for the
most obscure person in a church with
a heart right toward God, to exercise
as much power for the evangelization
of the world as it is for those who
stand in the most prominent positions.
Therefore no one is excusable if he
commits the great sin of emitting to
pray" We can make missionaries
and native churches rich, aye, and our
own church and community, too, no
matter how poor we may be. Dr. G.
Campbell Morgan tells of a preacher
who would go from pew to pew in his
church on weekdays and pray for
those who sat there on Sunday; Dr.
Morgan ventures the opinion that this
is perhaps the highest service that
even a great preacher could do for his
flock.
8. His writings are one of Paul's
gifts to the world. What a heritage
are his epistles, We know how Pill
grim's Progress" was written by a
tinker in Jail. If we object that this
tinker had unusual genius, it may be
replied that many ordinary persons,
with love for Christ in their souls
have done valiant service with the
pen. 1t was a letter from a friend,
written with faltering heart, that led
Henry Clay Trumbull to Christ; the
world knows of his splendid service as
preacher, explorer, exposition, Sunday
school worker and editor. We heard
of a woman who watched the daily
record of deaths in the papers and
sent to every bereaved household a let
ter or booklet containing a word for
the Master: Who does not covet her
reward and who could not do likewise?
4. His preaching was another of
Pauis blessings for men. He could
say to multitudes of converts, as he
said to the Thessalonians, What is
our hope, or joy. or crown of rejoic-
ing? Are not even We in the presence
of our Lord Jesus Christ at his com.
ing?" Preachers, II has been said,
are often like camels which are laden
with spices and jewels, but they them
selves feed on thistles. But though
poor, how have they made many rich!
We knew of one who had not realized
all the ambitions of his early ministry
his churches had been obscure and his
salary small, and it grieved him that
his wife had dressed shabbily. Yet
here, he had led poor country lad to
Christ; there, he had helped a boy
get OF to college; there, he had
loaned his books to a hungry soul. And
at his funeral his body was borne of
bishops and lawyers and magnates
who came to shed sincere tears over
the man who had done them the great,
est service ever performed for them
who had led them to Christ.
Spiritual treasure has been so show.
cred upon US that we enrich men when
we are unaware. We listened recent
Iy to the story of a young man who
after serving Satan well, had come to
Christ. He was a sailor on an Eng.
lish ship, which was lying in harbor
OF the coast of Cornwall. One quiet
afternoon, as he was washing dishes
there was borne to him from the shore
the sound of Christian song. A casket
was being carried through the village
streets and the simple Cornish folk
who followed were singing that noble
hymn:
i o God. our help in ages past.
| Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
Little did they think of their audi
ence in the kitchen of the ship yon
der, but the song followed this way
ward sailor lad over the high seas
until he had found the true shelter
from the stormy blast"
A soul in which Christ lives scatteri
light and blessing everywhere-"ai
poor. yet making many rich"