Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-23
Walter Attended church.

p'f,rnctu. shoulu IKE 10 nelp you
get them"
MORli-----
Walter Attended Church.
There was a big lump i'm his throat.
| do not recall any reply he made In
words hut his look Of deep concern
spoke cloquontly TO my heart. week
on two later his boys began attending
sunday school. Then, as sure as I
live. Que Sunday evening. noted him
coming into the church, and he did
not stop untt he occupied n seat in
the second pew from the front. And
what Is more, he had a man with him.
After the service. he remained 10
speak to me. and this In what he said:
Pastor. I'm glad l came. I'll come
again"
And then the lump in his throat
Would not permit him 60 say more,
though tho gliEtening eye told a pa
thctic story. lie did come again. The
facts are: lie missed very few sun
day evening services; some of his
habits were overcome; some of his
associates we're neglected. his busi-
ness grew he moved into n larger
location. he bought house In q nice
part of the city. he took an interest
in church work. Ny friend prospered
Heart Interest Pays.
think Of him today with thanks
giving. I'm glad to have given him
q heart interest. I'm glad TO have
talked 10 him and to have pointed out
20 him lifo's better way, life's best
way. 7 rejoicej in his prosperity evi-
dcnced in the new home and the new
NO. And aho JOY received in my re-
lation To his new life. would not ex-
change for all the dollars he has since
made. But that 10 not ali about him.
Sweet New BABY.
one day he phoned me and said:
we have n new baby, over at the
hospital and We would like 20 have
YOU DO the christening next Sunday
morning before church. Can YOU do
ito
n would he ashamed or myself If
couldn't" I replied.
Sunday morning. appeared at the
Deaconess Hospital and i'm the
presence OF tho Mother. Father and n
Nurse. | christeued the baby. The
father looked serious. The mothe,
shed few tears and the nurse loving.
~ smiled. put something more was to
follow and ! doubt II any reader can
guess what Il war that followed. Have
YOU eucseed7 Now note if YOU guess
% correctly.
Wei, after congratulations had been
extended to mother and father in hav-
ins such lovely baby, the sweet
sniiic that had wreathed tho face OF
tho wife began 20 fade away until
there remained only a serious look as
she said To mo:
Walter has never been chfistened.
WIN you christen hanP'
The Baptism Of Walter.
To christen your baby and your
husband on the same day viii greatly
please mo. But IN forder TO christcn
an adult, according 10 the rules OF tho
Methodist Episcopal Church he must
answer certain important questions.
! know Of nothing would rather do
right nov than 10 perform this ser
vice. providing no is willing" I re-
marked. I asked.
"Arn you willing, Wsltos9"
That terrible lump was again in his
throat; he did not answer in words
ne coulu not answer Ia words. There
hc stood At the foot of the bed. his
body shaking with emotion. while his
tears fell upon tho foor. No, he could
not speak but he did' raise his head
ana nod HIS assent and I proceeded TO
christen him IN the namo of the
Father Of us ALI
have enjoyed "A ministry Of han
py experiences for thirty years hut
THIS one was most delightfully."- thrill
inc one. The picture OF the entire
scene unfolds before mo today and i,
behold the Transformation that took
place In his lie and in the lives Of his
family.
\ regeneration of the soul is neces-
sary before one can leave tho low
lands and the miasmic conditions h,,
which men are sometimes surrounded
Ihis u fundamentally a declaration Of
the blblo becausc Il is a Fundamental
heed IN iife--a deeply realized human
nced--and because il is true. the Bihle
declares H.
The Essence of Christianity.
Herein Hes the very essence a,
Christianity. 10 comes to n1oet the
ueep and desperate needs of the som
OF every soul. IL comes to bring a
@indly salutation and TO relate lis
transforming powers 10 human
irailties. IL comes 10 reinvirorate life
and to establish one I'm the WAYS n,
right doing. II is the power tha,
reached and helped Walter
This, then, is the real message OF
Christmas: To dedicate our lives tc
the Inspiration and service Of otbors
rhst was the message | tried TO carry
70 Walter. And when ! wish. Won q
Merry, Merry Christmas, today. / have
real thoughts in my heart for you.
would not speak those meaninrft,
words With meaningless lips.
Therefore, please. accept the
seasons Greeting In the same manne,
IN which desire 20 speak IL.
! wish you all Merry. Merry
CHRISTMAS and a happy New Year.
]
SEVERELY INJURED.