The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-10-16
Lutheran Pastor
Stresses Value
0fPresent Time
Reckoning Of Time By
Christian Activity Makes
For Restful Living

The second series of services
being conducted at the local Lu-
theran church was held last night
with a splendid attendance as
well as fine interest manifested.
The messages are being deli
vered each evening by the Rev. j..
Lewis Thornburg of Statesville.
The general subject of the series
is Learning the Lessons OF
Life"
Last night the speaker used the
familiar expression out of the
book of Exodus, "The place
wherein thou standest is holy
ground" as the basis of his re-
marks. He said in part, "The
most neglected real estate is the
present the ground on which
you are standing. Now is alwys
the accepted time, of we could
but learn that the place where we
stand is holy ground. Perhaps no
greater lesson can be learned
than that of "doing things now"
The poet Emerson asked What
use would Immortality be to the
man who does not know how to
live a half hour"
"The Importance of this truth
is further impressed in the words
of Jesus when He said, 4 must
work the works of Him that sent
me, ere the night cometh when
no man can work. The signifi-
canoe of the present is also en-
HANGED when we think of His
promise, 10, l am with you al
ways Then if always He is
with US now.
"It was pointed out that one of
the most manifest reasons for
this neglect of the present was
the tendency on the part of peo-
pie to dwell in the past or to have
undue fear of the future. 1t is
either longing for the ''flesh pots
of Egypt" or anxiously "crossing
the bridge before we arrive"
These two tendencies mar our
daily effectiveness and detract
considerably from the noble stat
ure of our manhood in Christ
Jesus.
MANY individuals in the church
today are excusing themselves on
the basis that they have already
done their part, go away and
come at some other time. But we
dare no. sit complacently by
marking time, waiting for more
favorable time to come for the
performing of our duty today
Now is the accepted time. Now is
when we are needed.
"There are many strong incen-
tives for Christian men and wo-
men to redeem the time making
the utmost use of the present.
think of one such incentive, the
Lord hath laid His hand upon
me- That's now. But He has also
done something about the yester,
day. He hath beset me from be-
hind | need have no needless
fears of the past. If the Evil one
is to get hold of me from the
rear he must first of all deal WITT
my Lord. Then there is the fu'
ture. He hath also beset me from
before Just as goodness anc
mercy shall follow me- so shall !
dwell in the house of the Lore
forever The fears of the future
are so much like the lions on the
way in Bunyan's Pilgrims Prog
ress. AS we draw near we discov'
er that they are chained.
eyes, we do need to know thai
the application of this truth Is
the more effective and reSttu
way of living. 1t saves us from
dread. Nothing is more helpful n
saving us from the miseries OF
| our memory and the terrorS OF
our imagination of the future
than the simple rule of being alb
/ sorbed in present duty. So mucf
of life's misery comes IRON
brooding over the past and things
in the past beyond recall, or II
comes from fears Of future
things, most of which never ar
rives. Therefore, remember the
ground on which standest is MOI!
ground Busy yourselves in the
performance of present duties
doing the works of Him who hath
also sent YOU"
The pastor and members OF
Grace Lutheran church extend q
most cordial welcome to friends
in the community to attend these
services. The topic for consldera
ton tonight will be, Little Enc