Omaha daily bee., 1915-10-20


your town that you said you would. tut
you didn't do Il.
feel in closing this meeting that am
IN a position somewhat analogous TO that
OF a nurse during the war. at the close
OF the battle Of Franklin.
soldier had his arm shattered by a
cannon ball and It necessitated smputs-
ton. The operation was successfully per-
formed and the surgeon said to the nurse.
kind-hearted fellow. Il hope that sol
der boy pulls through. for he made a
magnificent fight. never a murmur.
hope that artery doesn't bleed. II the
vein should burst think could flx that,
but not the artery. for he is so weak. ]
hope he Will pull through"
Presently the wound began to bleed.
The nurse put his thumb on the spot and
sent for the surgeon. who had gone to
rest He came ana his practiced eye told
him he could stop II.
He said. That's the vein; can take
that up. but I hope the artery doesn't
bleed. for 1 couldn't take that up. II I
am needed send for me-"
The surgeon threw himself on a cot to
rest Pretty soon the stump started to
bleed again. the nurse pressed his thumb
on the spot and sent for the surgeon.
He said: stop II, quick"
The nurse kept his thumb on Il and
said; Il can't reach it,"
The doctor said to the fellow: when
the nurse removes his thumb. in three
minutes you will be dead"
Wonders n He Has Thumb or Artery
know he must have felt himself in
some such position as feel myself in
tonight. II will not be long until this
series of meetings will have become
matter of history.s
The doctor said to him: I'm three min
utes, when the nurse takes his thumb off
you will be dead"
I venture I've said TO God fifty times
since I've stood ON this platform listening
to the song service. God. wonder II
will have my thumb on the artery of any
man or woman's soul? l wonder 81 this
series OF meetings will determine where
they will spend their eternity"
The soldier boy said: Don't worry
about me. Put your hand under my pill
| low"
The nurse did so and pulled OFT the
/ Bible, and the boy said: $40 YOU rce
where the bullet cut the corner? My
mother gave me that. TIA trusting in its
promises.'
The nurse removed his thumb. turned
| away, buried his face in his hands and
in few minutes the soldier boy was no
more.
I wonder. say, IL I am standing here
| tonight with my thumb on the artery of
your soul?
I wonder II tonight will determine what
you are going to do7
I wonder II this is the last call? I
haven't appealed to your sympathy or
| your tears.
have tried to show the reasonableness
Of It. want every man and woman in
this tabernacle. whether you are Chris
tian or not, 1 want every one Of you to
say: 81 have desire to serve God"
Some OF you may have been Christians
for twenty or for fifty years Will you
keep on encouraging shat desireP If you
have q desire. will you in some way en-
courage it2
| II you have no desire it you care moth
ing about 1t. please Just keep your seat;
but II you have a desire, will you encour-
age that desire2
| have been a Christian for twenty-nine
years. still have the dcsire and en-
courage 1t every day by prayer and read
ing the Bible.
Have you desire and do you want
to encourage it7 If yon do, want every
man and woman in this Audience to stand.
But don't want anybody to bear false
testimony. II you care nothing about It.
just keep your seat. II you do care. ]
want every one that has desire to stand
to their feet and bow your head with me
In silent prayer.
Copyright, william A. Sunday