Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-10-13
Unpardonable Sin Began Almost at Garden of Eden
 Says Stephens.
$153 CONTRIBUTED
 TO MOTOR TRUCK co,
Offering Was Taken up at the Taber. nacle-Big Sunday Parade This Afternoon. From Tabernacle
 Through D0WntoWn Section.
(By A. Homer Jordan.)

ne Qlnlng room or the I. M. C. 4. was filled last night with men who attended the industrial banquet. These men represented many of the mills and shops of the city. A most sumptuous meal was served by the ladies of the churches of the city, Short talks were made by A. Homer Jordan, J. c. Chest nut, B. M. Goodwin, and Harry A. James. After the banquet the men marched in a body to the tabernacle and occupied the block of seats re- served for them.
 A capacity house greeted Evangel- ist Stephens last night. Every seat was taken and large number of men stood at the rear of the tabernacle. An offering was taken for the Pine Bluff Motor Truck company, the sum of S153 being contributed.
 By special request Mrs. Powell sang, "Some Other Day."
 MT. Stephens subject was 'The Un- pardonable Sin" He began his ser mon by saying, "Some people ask the question, Where did the unpardonable sin begin? Is it not strictly a New Testament doctrine?' No, It began just as soon as sin began. We find it alomst at the gates of Eden. People have various opinions about this sin. Some think it could be committed only when Christ was present in person upon the earth, and thus cannot be committed these days. Others say it is attributed to satan the works of God. Still others think it is an out spoken word against the Holy Spirit of God. This is not entirely sin, though it is part of it.
 "Jesus warned the Pharisees, but on the cross He prayed that the Fath- CT might forgive them. Thus they had snot yet committed the unpardon- able sin. People can assume an atti tude as blasphemous as the spoken word. Thus it is not simply word of blisphemy. The Pharisees did not know what the Holy Spirit was.
 "Some think this sin can be com- mitted only when God is pouring out ar especial blessing of the spirit, or in the time of a great revival. This is not true. Men and women are day after day committing the unpardon- able sin.
 "In every revival meeting we have people to say they have committed this sin. It seems to put great gloom on their lives. and they do not have happiness. If you feel this way it is a pretty good sign that you have not committed it. There is mercy for your soul this minute. If you are fearful and anxious you have not committed net know it. Those who commit the un- pardonable sin or the sin unto death do not know it. Those who comit the un- pardonable sin are pleasant, affable, smile and are happy. They don't know when they have committed the sin. When paralysis sets in feeling goes out. They will go on unconcern- ed till the day of doom. There is sin unto death and verify believe you do not know you have committed it.
 "Let us look at this question from the negative side a while. The un- pardonable sin is not one specific sin. However, certain specific sins can lead to the committing of this sin. Swear. ing is not the unparoonable sin though it may lead to it. God has saved pro- fane men by the thousands and made their hearts clean. Stubborness is not this sin though it may lead to it. God can and does save men from their stubborness. Drunkenness is not this sin, though it, too, can lead up to it. Race suicide is not this sin. God has saved hundreds whose hands are red with the blood of unborn victims.
 Speaks of Unchastity.
 "Any of these sins mentioned if they are persisted in will lead up to the unpardonable sin, and you will step over the deadline. If you take Gods name in vain you are on dangerous grounds and if you persist you will he over the line and God will say, Let him alone,' If you love your drink or any of your sins better than Christ, look out. You cannot forever slight the voice of God Some day He will give you up. If you are unclean you are in dangerous sins. There is more unchastity in Pine Bluff and more homes that are on the verge of ruin than in any place 1 have been in for ten years.
 "Perhaps you say you thank God you are guilty of more of the sins men, tioned. Perhaps that is true but re- member it is the goody good people that are on the most dangerous ground.
 "The unpardonable sin is the con- tinuOuS, malicious slnnlng, ana feJect- ing Christ. The Spirit is striving with you tonight. You ought not to turn away from Christ tonight"
 MT. Stephens made strong appeal to the unsaved and numbers of people responded to the invitation. This was one of the greatest of all the meetings yet held.
 Tabernacle Calendar.
 At 1:45 this afternoon there will be a big Sunday school parade from the tabernacle through the downtown sec ton of the city. After the parade MT. Stephens will speak in the taber- nacle on the subject, "A House for Rent"
 Tonight is Popcorn Night" and MT. Stephens promises some surprises. All the converts of the meeting are re- quested to meet in the tabernacle an-