Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 272, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 November 1912 — To Whom Should We Speak? [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

To Whom Should We Speak?

By REV. HOWARD W. POPE.

Superintendent ol Men at the Moody Bible laMtnte, dense

TEXT—Jeremiah l:«-7: Then said I, Ah. Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shall go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou Shalt speak. - ♦

There is no rule of universal application, but one must consider the age, sex, and general condition of those whom he approaches. Uncle John Vassar was accustomed to speak to every person whom be met on the subject of religion, but his rule might not be the beßt one for all. He was a man of

years and experience, and he could hold his own with people whom a younger person could not so successfully deal with. On one occasion he accosted two ladles In a hotel in Boston and Inquired if they were Christians. "Certainly,’* they replied. "Have you been born again?" he asked. "This is Boston," said the ladies, “and you know that we do not believe in that doctrine here.” Uncle John opened his Bible and showed them what God has to say about the subject, and in a short time all three were on their knees. When her husband returned at night, one of the ladies told him abqnt her encounter with Uncle John. “I wish I had been here,” said the man. “What would you have done?” asked his wife. ‘T would have told him to go about his business.” „“But, husband, if you had been here, I think you would have said-that he was about his business.” That was a true estimate of Uncle John Vassar. He made It "his business” to witness for Christ always and everywhere. Let us make it our business to witness for the master at all times, and in all places. It may not seem best to speak to every one whom we meet, but we should at least be willing to do so. If God requires it. Whether he does or not, can usually be determined by asking him. j Mr. Moody’s Rule. , When Mr. Moody was Just beginning to do Christian work, he promised God that he would speak to one person at least on the subject of religion, every day for a year. He kept his promise faithfully until the last day of the year. That night as he was about to retire, he remembered that he had not spoken to any one that day on the all-important question. It was rather late, but he did not wish to break his record, and so he rushed out into the street, and hailing thefirst person whom he met, he inquired if he was a» Christian, The man told him it was none of his business, and added some other remarks not altogether complimentary. Mr. Moody returned to his room thinking that he had made a fool of himself, and that probably he had hurt the cause which he meant to help. One of his friends who had heard of the Incident rebuked him sharply, and told him that he must stop speaking to people in such an abrupt way, or he would make himself obnoxious. God evidently took a different view of the matter, for In a few days the man whom he addressed so abruptly sought him out, apologized for the way in which he had abused him, told him that he had had no peace since that night on account of his sins, and asked him to show him the way of salvation. If we listen to the devil he will tell us that any kind of Christian work is foolish. Let ns listen to God alone. Begin at Home. It is so much easier to speak to ethers than to those of our own household, that they are liable to be overlooked, but we certainly have a duty at home which we cannot afford to neglect. If our life has been Inconsistent, we had better confess it frankly before we talk to others about their life. If we wait until we are perfect before we begin, we shall never begin. Remember that all God's work is done by Imperfect workmen. Do not omit to speak to the children of Christian parents, ministers included. Too often they have been so busy looking after other people’s boys > and girls that their own hare been neglected. We are often mistaken In assuming that those who Uve in Christian homes most necessarily be Christians. Sure]y all of our schoolmates, shopmates and friends have a right to expect of ns a real Interest In their spiritual welfare. It is not wise to talk to them constantly on the subject of religion, but we should let them know how we feel, and that they are on our heart all the time, , even if we only speak to them oeea* < aionally. It is here perhaps that the greatest perplexity arises, but let us never forget that we have an infallible guide who la suffleent for an Cmeis Kencles. ,-*» w ' ~ Vvrf'"-. - ■'SSaMLv.