The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1915-01-21
CHRISTIANITY VERY
HIGHLY CONSIDERED
GOD WANTS AND EXPECTS US To
FOLLOW HIS TEACHINGS
Without Doubt, There Isn't a Reader who
has not Known of Some Man, Seem
ingIy a Hopeless Character, who has
Given his Whole Heart to God.
By l.. w. l..

Are you Christian? This is a
very familiar phrase to all of us.
You can attend any church mission,
camp meeting or rivival and, at
sometime, be met by the same
query.
Now, if this same question were
to be put to every inmate in this
institution, at least nine-tenths OF
them would reply in the Affirmative
and actually believe they were, be-
ing with themselves.
Yet, if they would only stop and
consider that to be real believer
in Christ, they must, among other
things, keep the Ten Command
ments; and if we had all done that
in the past, how many of us would
be here today? Not single one.
Because we attend church regularly
on the outside or the services here
in the Auditorium, is no positive
proof that we are Christians, for
Christ requires our full and free
services, from the rising of the sun
to the setting thereof, if we are to
be his true disciples.
The trouble with great many
not alone those within these walls
is, they fool themselves with the
idea that because they read their
Bibles, cay their prayers, and at
tend church every Sunday, they
have provided for their future home
in Eternity, and can follow their
own pleasures throughout the rest
of the week.
But, Brothers, we are only delud-
ing ourselves when we place any
confidence in such manner OF
living as this. For God wants and
expects us to follow His teachings
every day of our lives; and to those OF
us who will do this, there is not
only the promise of Eternal happi-
ness but we have peace and happi-
ness in our hearts. while here, full
filling our purposes on earth. vi
course, this is very difficult for many
of us to understand. But there is
one thing'we all do know and be-
lieve, and that is that our personal
liberty is a very precious and highly
valued object. And this Is one OF
the gifts we shall receive on the
acceptance of Christ as our Saviour.
Thsre is not one of US here no mat
ter what our past has been, who, if
he will 90 to his God with an earn
est prayer, not only on his lips but
in his heart, asking for forgiveness
for his past and the acceptance Of
himself as child of God from this
day forth AMI forever, but that our
Father in heaven will welcome him
with open arms.
1t seems almost impossible to the
outcast that he can secure such
riches without some payment in re-
turn. Yet, it is only question of
freely giving your heart to God and
trusting your whole future to Him.
Without doubt, there is not a
reader of this article who has not
known of some man, seemingly a
hopeless character through drink or
some other cause, who has given
his whole heart to God. and through
the powers derived thereby lead a
sober and useful life both to the
glory of his God and to the joy Of
those with whom he comes in con-
tact.
There's little story of true life
that came to my mind the other
night and as it applys both to the
question under discussion and the
certain reform of offenders against
the laws of our country, 1 shall give
you all the benefit of what the pow
er of Christ did for one OF the
least of these"
Fred B, man of the under
world, made one false step too many
and was sent to prison for term.
While in prison, Fred would always
associate with others in his own
line, on every occasion that present
ed itself. And the general theme of
conversation at those meetings were
always on the question of their old
calling or occupation. if one could
call their petty thievery by such a
name. When the time came for
Fred's release, he actually was a
great deal wiser and more of an
adept in his line than when he had
been committed to prison.
Of course, upon regaining his
freedom. he returned to his old