The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-03-21
MISTAKES CAUSE
MOST TROUBLE
DisagreeabIe w eather
Keeps Many Away
From Services

MANNINGToN, March al
Services at tho United Brethren
Church last night were not SO well
attended. possibly because Of the
dIGagreeable weather. The Rev. D.
W. Cunningham, in beginning his
sermon, mentioned a preacher he
once knew who always made his
announcements by saying Il will
preach hero again the third Sun
day in next month II 1t does not
rain. believe that everyone
should have religion enough to
come to church when the weather
Is nice, but they should have sense
enough to stay at home IL It rains"
TO place emphasis on tho nee.
essity for Christians coming to
church when 1t is bad as well as
nice, tho Reverend Mr.. Cunning
ham mentioned the ruler of the
Jews, who came to Jesus at night.
Some people said he came at night
because he was afraid tho Jews
would hear of 1t, said tho speaker.
Others said he came because he
was too busy, to come at night.
.tThe real reason. said the Rever.
end Mr.. Cunningham, was that
Sicodemus was Interested In his
own condition and in the teach
ings OF God !" He gave the impress.
sion that people who attended
church in Indictment weather are
Interested, also.
For o while the Reverend Mr..
Cunningham spoke Of the Israel
ttes. God did wonderful things
for them," l1e said. "He delivered
them from under the yoke OF
Egypt; delivered them from all
their mistakes; and would have
delivered them into the promised
land II they had permitted Him to
do SO, because they were interest
ed in their own welfare"
Many people complain. he said,
against tho acts of God; against
the church; against tho pastor;
against their neighbors. These
things they complain OF; the
broken homes; the broken hearts,
pMhe sadness. are all caused By
lspme violations OF Gods laws" he
Declared.
TO Illustrate he told OF how the
,Israelites were stung by serpents
Z and could get no relief until God
told Moses to hold high the brazen
serpent, that all who looked upon
Il might find relief. "All those
, who have faith in Jesus today, and
look to Him for help" said the
Reverend Mr.. Cunningham, will
find relief"
Every sin is a willful violation
ofiGod's law" said no. "once there
was man who came to me while
Twas holding a revival meeting,
and asked me to forgive him for a
mistake no had made. He wanted
the church to forgive. I asked him
what the mistake was. He said
that not long before he had gone
TO town and got drunk. told him
that he hadn't made mistake.
He had got drunk on purpose. I
want to say to you that those who
{ got drunk while saloons wero in
the country got that way because
they wanted to-"
"There are homes where weep
Ing and the spending OF lonely
nights are caused by tho breaking
pflsome of Gods laws" he declar-
ed. "There are homes made sad
because OF mistakes" He told of a
/ home where a welcome was always
given; where there was always
badness and song In the hearts OF
The family. Then one OF the boys
started gambling and to associate
with drunks. He was led away
rom the home Of love. One night
The boy killed one OF the men
Riile they were gambling in q
barn. He killed a man he loved.
and did 1t because he was filled
With strong drink. After that there
was no more joy or pleasure In
that home, There was no more
Glad receiving. / tell you that love
"a d home makes all the differ
ance."
I'm Terra Alta. whero once
was located" he said. three men
we're trying to got a saloon. They
we're getting up a petition. One Of
The men had stolen chickens. /
Know, because he stole some Of
mine. One woman said II all the
men and boys werc like hers they
wouldn't need to get people to sign
% petition. They got the saloon,
and that womau's son was found
SO drunk In saloon that he had
40 he carried home"
ssMany people refuse to go to
elJlTch because they say there are
hypocrites there" said the Rever-
and Mr.. Cunningham. at may be
because there Is someone there
sou do not like. II you want to be
Christian go to church and hold
your head high whether there are
people there you do not like or
.fSonce asked q man in church
he was a Christian" said the
speaker. He said yes, no had been
one for several years. Not long
sitersthis noticed several people
tyifts to get this man to come up
"a the altar. asked them why,
and they said he was not n Chris
ian Later he came up to me and
said he had told a bare.faced lie.
aid ! was glad he had the man.
aood to confess himself, and asked
Z he would get down and pray.
NE rot down at the altar and
II ycd That's what you must do
I you want your sins forgiven
ie copeihded,
we never get 90 high but we