The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-04-16

| / q II concerning
Gods first an 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
l. He was in a very promising posi-
ton, not far from the kingdom"
He was acquainted with the truth 10
a certain extent. being in the position
of many today who are able 10 tell
much about the truth OF the Bible:
but they themselves are still with.
out"
! lie also assented 10 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 10
| agree that IL is truth.
He also admired the One who TOLD
/ him the truth; he came 10 Jesus.
And It may safely be presumed that
/ he attempted TO live his creed. He
! was a 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 q very painful posi-
tion; just at the door, but not inside.
He would be condemned by his con-
science because of his acquaintance
with the truth. IL would ever be tell
ing him that he ought 10 step inside
and delay no longer An unhecdcd
conscience is not pleasant TO live
with. and this young mans position
would be painful in spite Of its prom
ise.
He would also be condemned by his
reason because OF his assent TO the
truth. To know that a certain action
is wise and yet not do II, is 20 dis
honor ones reason Yet many there
are today who have been brought 10
the gates Of salvation but who have
stifled the voices OF conscience and
reason and found themselves in the
distressing position Of his young man.
He would be condemned by the
words which Jesus addressed 10 him
when he said. Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God with all thy heart"
2. He was in a very perilous posi-
tion: he might never get into that
kingdom from which be was then not
far"
There was the danger that he rost
content with mere assent 10 The truth
He would be like n traveller who might
go 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 sten
OF the kingdom OF God and neglect 10
take that last step which would put
one over the threshold is TO take ones
place with all the unsavcd
There was the danger. too. that he
should put OF the final step too long
and his conscience become hardened
and leave him without its warning
tones
Almost" cannot avail. "almost' IS but
20 fan:
sad sad. the bitter wall. Almost but
lost"
\ distinguished preacher tells OF 4
gentleman who heard someone preach
from this text. and as the danger ~
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 II OF and returned 20 his
home. Retiring. he fell into a restless
sleep and began 20 dream. He
thought he saw himself die and beheld
his soul leaving his body. Put he was
dismayed TO see host of sins. which
he recognized as his own. pursue his
soul. and. II became so terrible he
could bear II no longer. but awoke
Sprlnging from his bed he called his
wife and telling her the dream declared
that on the next Sunday he would 90
20 the church and take the last step
toward salvation. But as hs spoke he
gasped and fell at his wife's feet. dead.
My dear reader II you End yourself
in the promising but painful position
OF this young man. viii you not Just
now exchange that perilcss. place fo-'i
the safe place by accepting the gra-
cious Invitation OF Jesus. Come unto |
me- and will give you rest?"