The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1915-04-23

l*$::s . Il CCACSIA lAS
Gods first N d
great commandment for man, and the
Masters answer places him at once
in his true position before the Lord.
What Jesus told this young man OF
long ago can still be said Of many
today: Thou are not far from the
kingdom of God"
/. He was in q very promising posi-
ton, mot far from the kingdom
He was acquainted with the truth to
a certain extent, being in the position
of many today who are able to tell
much about the truth of the Bible;
but they themselves are still with.
out"
He also assented to the truth.
This, too. describes many Of to-
day who make no profession Of Chris
tianity; they not only know much Of
the truth, but they are quite ready to
agree that It is truth.
He also admired the One who told
him the truth: he came to Jesus.
And it may safely be presumed that
he attempted to live his creed. He
was sincere man who caught the at
tention Of Jesus and drew from him
this word. "Thou are not far from the
kingdom of God" A great truth Is
here, viz, that one can be at the very
door Of the kingdom and yet be finally
lost. Some who read these words
may be in the same position, at the
threshold-but yet not in.
2. He was in very painful posi-
ton; just at the door. but not inside.
He would be condemned by his con-
science because of his acquaintance
with the truth. It would ever be tell
ing him that he ought to step inside
and delay no longer. An UNDECIDED
conscience is not pleasant to live
with. and this young mans position
would be painful In spite of it's prom
ise.
He would also be condemned by his
reason because of his assent to the
truth. To know that certain action
is wise and yet not do 1t, is to dis
honor ones reason. Yet many there
are today who have been brought to
the gates of salvation but who have
stifed the voices of conscience and
reason and found themselves in the
distressing position of this young man.
He would be condemned, too, by his
life. He had seen the life Of the Lord
Jesus and was forced to admire its
beauty and grace. How many times
he would look at the perfection Of
that life and how far short his own
life would come from measuring up
to 1t.
He would be condemned by the
words which Jesus addressed to him
when he said, Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God with all thy hear"
Each time he thought of this saying
OF Jesus he would feel his position
was anything but pleasant, for he
stood condemned by his conscience,
his reason, his life and by the law.
8. He was in very perilous posi-
ton; he might never get into that
kingdom from which he was then mot
far"
There was the danger that he rest
content with mere assent to the truth
He would be like traveller who might
90 many days and stop just one days
march from his goal; all his weary
journey would be useless without the
final days work. To be within a step
of the kingdom of God and neglect to
take that last step which would put
one over the threshold is to take ones
place with all the unsaved
There was the danger, too, that he
should put off the final step too long
and his conscience become hardened
and leave him without its warning
tones.
Almost" cannot avail, almost is but
to fail:
Sad, sad, the bitter wall, almost, but
lost"
A distinguished preacher tells Of 4
gentleman who heard someone preach
from this text, and as the danger Of
neglect was presented he felt he was
but a step from salvation. Instead,
however, of taking that last step
which separated between his soul and
life, he put it off and returned to his
home. Retiring, he fell into a restless
sleep and began to dream. He
thought he saw himself die and beheld
his soul leaving his body. But he was
dismayed to see a host of sins, which
he recognized as his own, pursue his
soul, and it became so terrible he
could bear 1t no longer, but awoke
Springing from his bed he called his
wife and telling her the dream declared
that on the next Sunday he would go
to the church and take the last step
toward salvation. But as he spoke he
gasped and fell at his wifes feet, dead.
My dear reader, if you find yourself
in the promising but painful position
Of this young man, will you not just
now exchange that perilous place for
the safe place by accepting the gra-
cious invitation of Jesus. Come INTO
ne and 7 will give you rest?''
Many people take care of their