Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1916-11-03

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and to the indl-
dividual members of the race. Since
the time when the death sentence
passed upon all mankind because
Of Adams sin, the human family
have been going into the tomb. But
from before the foundation OF the
world God had purposed the redemp-
ton and restitution of mankind
through the death Of His Son. There
fore the Bible refers to death % q
"sleep," out Of which all will be awak-
ened in the resurrection. But there IL
another sense in which people may be
said to sleep. The majority seem to be
going about as II in dream, thinking
merely OF the trivialities of life-what
to eat, to drink, to wear, to entertain,
self with, etc, instead of thinking OF
the weighty things-those that pertain
to God, to the Divine will. to the fa-
ture aud everlasting life. These he
urged to awake and to. come to Christ.
the great Light-giver of the world.
The importance Of the beginning OF
the period Of adolescence was empha-
sized. Parents and teachers should
use much wisdom in their dealings
with children at this crucial stage.
when the child mind begins to wonder
and question as never before. to look
beyond childish diversions toward
higher things. Christian parents eApe-
cially have great responsibility along
this line, both in regard to what they
teach their children and in respect to
the example which they set before the
youthful mind entrusted to their care
Having learned the way Of God them
selves, they should endeayor to inlu-
ence their children to do the same.
To those who have for years lived
merely for the things of time and
sense there sometimes comes time
Of awakening. Perhaps LIES expert
ences have brought them to realiza-
ton that there is something to live fox
better than they have heretofore seem
They come to realize that they are
sinners needing Savior; that they are
helpless and need Helper. Perhaps
they get the right view, that the SEN
tence resting upon fallen man Is
death; more likely they get the wrong
view, that the sentence upon the race
is eternal torment But from the mo-
ment Of awakening they face crisis.
Will they come to God and receive q
blessing? Or will they wander off into
greater darkness and be thereafter
more difficult to reach than before?
After Awakening, Remain Awake!
The Pastor reminded his audience
that after one has awakened in the
morning, 1t Is very easy to turn over
and fall asleep again. Upon second
awakening, the mind is more or less
dull and stupid. So it is with those
who fall asleep after having been
awakened to a realization of higher
and nobler things. They may be-
Weakened u second time; but II so, the
perceptions are likely to be less acute
the conscience less sensitive.
One who has awaked and begun to
rise Is in the attitude of soul to re-
ceive the light Of Heaven. Christ
shall give thee light" Light is s0wn
for the righteous and gadness for the
upright in heart" psalm 97:11) Those
in this attitude are approaching this
condition The dead are representa-
as PROSTATE. The act Of rising is in
dicative Of change OF attitude. The
awakened one should at once seek to
know what to do. He should begin to
study Gods Word. There he learns
that Christ is the Way to God.
The soul must lay hold upon Jesus.
by acceptance of the merit Of His
sacrif1cial death and by complete
surrender to God through Christ as the
great Advocate. When he has taken
this step, the light will begin to dawn
upon him. Increasing light Is his por
ton; for each step of obedience brings
greater knowledge.
The worlds Judgment is future, not
far Off now, according to the proph-
ecies Of Gods Word: but the Chris
tian's judgment begins from the mo-
ment when he enters the Church
Of Christ. He is now on probation
for eternal life. He has entered
the School of Christ, to be perfected
in character. made a copy OF Gods
dear Son. Romans 500 Thus he Is
being prepared for the future Kingdom
work-that of instructing, uplifting.
blessing. the whole world of mankind.
who died in Adam, but who are to be
awakened and dealt with during the
incoming DispensatiOn.
No sleepy Christian will have place
in the Messianic Kingdom. God win
have only those who are sober, wide
awake, watching unto prayer, keeping
close to the Fountain OF cleansing, 60.
ing often to the Throne Of Grace, clain-
ing the efhcacy Of the precious blood
az Christ,