The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-05-08
From Tho Daily Item. May 4.

dren. practically representing the Pc
RODS Of life laid down by the poet
Shakespeare In his immortal Seven
Ages" surrendered themselves to
Christ last night after Bob Jones had
given the invitation, following a sim
pie but impressive sermon on the
story OF Lazarus and the rich man.
Mr.. Jones came to the tabernacle pre-
pared to speak on another subject,
but. with the keen perception that has
stood him In good stead more than
once In striking for Christ while the
iron was hot. he changed his sub
ject after reaching the platform. and,
speaking for only a short time. gave
the invitation for sinners to come TO
Christ with the results stated above.
Tho main argument Of Mr.. Jones
themo last night conferred around the
fact that riches cannot buy salvation,
but that II Is a gift OF God to rich,
to poor. to the man or woman on the
downward grade. 20 anyone. In fact,
who Will turn his face to Christ and
ask TO be saved. The evangelist drew
a striking picture OF tho poor man
who sat at thegate. begging the little
necessities that so with n worldly ex-
istence. and In contrast no told of the
wealthy man who had all of the things
that The world associates with content
and happiness. But 10. when the great
visitant Death appeared on the scene,
the tables were turned. I'm n twinkiing.
He who was In lowest "a on this
earth was received into the comfort
ing confines OF father Abraham's
bosom. while no who possessed all
that the world could ofer. ooh the
straight roa TO hell. To bring home
the t~ellin~ point OF Mr.. Jones' argu-
ment. the well known quotation, "a
little learning Is a dangerous thing
might be paraphrased into "a little
riches Is n dangerous thing" for.
while not necessarily doing so, very
often money will carry one on the
downward road to ruin, and ultimate
ly inside the gates OF hell. itself. In
the words of MIR. Jones. a" cannot
Imagine a more dangerous thing that
could happend to my boy than for me
to leave him with a fortune" NO"
continued the speaker. money cannot
buy honor. happiness. character, or
what Is more important still-salva-
ton. And. the man who lives the life
OF poverty Is MOI always a failure, or
vice versa, the man who lives amid
riches Is not always a success. The
deciding thing is his spiritual life.
But taking up again the subject
matter II MIR. Jones sermon last
night. there is a certain sympathy
that must evidence itself for the rich
young man who went TO hell. Per-
naps his family was greatly to
blame. Not only was he cursed with
riches. but We cannot help but won
der AZ no had ever been given the
chance To- save his SOU. II was a big
family OF brothers. of which he was
n member. AMI. by the way. Mr..
Jones stated II believe I'm those old
time families. 1 n the eleventh
member of my mothers family and
the only member of the family who
became "A preacher" After this young
man had gone his way. the awfulness
OF the fact that he Yves I'm hell doubt
less awakened "A feeling OF despair I'm
the hearts OF his loved ones, but too
late. The lesson then TO be taught is
that We must look out for our loved
ones before II Is too late. while the
chance Is offered. Then. when death
comes. he cannot brighten. "1915 is
golng to be chiscled In the marble
slab OF somebody's grave who hears
me tonight"
Closing his sermon. Mr.. Jones had
the choir To sing Jesus is calling Me
Home" and gave tho invitation for
sinners to come To the front, either to
show their resolve To come back Ia
Christ. or To come to Christ and sur
render their lives TO him for the frs,
time. In response To the invitation
many came forward AT once and took
their seats opposite the pulpit. Tn,
personal workers. with Bob JOnc,
himself setting a magnificent eX'
ample. went here and yondcr about
the big building inviting friends ant
loved ones to accept the opportunity
offered them. and many dld SO Ovcl
In the reserved section, where the Ma.