Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 85, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 April 1913 — The Word of Life [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Word of Life

By REV.H.W. POPE.

MoadyßUa hdisi.CTif!-

■ t ■. • ■ . TEXT—“Holding forth the word of ItM” Phil. 1:16.

In writing to the church at Philippi which he had just founded, Paul urges upon them two things: First: That they be blameless and harmless, o r In other words, that they live a consistent Christian life. Secondly: That they form the habit of holding forth the word of life to

others. Paul then . goes on to say that if these Philippian church members were satisfied simply to set a consistent example, and did not also engage in personal effort to help the. unsaved he should consider his labor upon these as well nigh lost. The ease with which one can do this works and the blessing which usually accompanies it. makes it almost inexcusable for us to neglect It. : On one occasion I handed a little card to a man asking If he would like Something to read. On it he saw the Word Christian, and at once he said with a sneer, “ 'Christian,* yes, I have neighbors who are Christians, and I have some who are not, and the latter are more neighborly and more honorable in business every time.** "That may be.** I said, “but remember that it is not their religion which makes your neighbors mean and dishonorable, but the lack of it. and it is not fair to blame Jesus Christ for what does not belong to him.’* .

Then I added. “It may be that you do not feel the need of a Savior now, but the time will surely come when you will feel it." "I guess I need him enough now. My wife died about a year ago, and since then I have lost my daughter. My home is broken up and I haven’t anything left to live for.” The man’s voice trembled, and die tears began to come. I saw that I bad touched a tender chord, and I said, "My friend, if there is any one on this earth that needs Jesus Christ, I think you are the man." Then I held up Christ as a comforter and told him how willing Christ was to come into his sad heart and make it glad, and into his desolate home and make It bright with heavenly hopes. Then, taking it for granted that he did not know bow to find Christ, I went on to explain the way of salvation. Then I . said, “Now my friend, with thia ununderstanding of what it is to become a Christian, are you willing to accept Christ as your Savior right here and now, and give me your hand on it?” “Yes sir, I am," he replied, and he grasped my hand heartily. Then we removed our hats, and 1 prayed, and he prayed, after which he gave me his name and told me all about himself. This was at a county fair in the midst of noise and confusion. Horses were racing, fakirs were shouting and the merry-go-round was tor full trtast. AntT yut tn riw midst of that surging crowd this man with bared head was confessing hie sins to God and Inviting Jesus Christ to come into his heart. It is a great aid in opening conversation with strangers to have with yon a variety of leaflets or gospel cards. You can hand one to a person saying. "Would you like something to read?" If he does not express an opinion, you can give him another, saying, "This one is a little different," or "Here is one which I think you will enjoy.” By this mean you gradually become acquainted, and by and by you can give him one which presents the way of salvation plainly, and ask him If he has accepted Christ as his Savior. Sitting in a hotel in Denver I was reading a newspaper. By my side sat a young man talking with two others. Soon he uttered an oath. Taking out a little card entitled, "Why Do You Swear?” I laid It down on the arm of the chair between us, and went on reading. He picked it tip and read it. As soon as his companions left he said to me. "My friend, that is the best thing on swearing I ever saw. It Is an awful habit I know and I ought not

to do it, but you see I am a newspaper man on the Chicago Inter Ocean. I am thrown in with a rough crowd and I cannot seem to overcome the habit." He then went on to tell me about himself and we had a long heart to heart talk. Remember he began the conversation, and he did most of the talking. When we have ascertained one’s real position, the next thing is to lead him to accept Christ. The main object is not to lead people to glev up their bad habits, or to attend church, or even to Join tbe church, but rather to accept Christ as their personal Lord and Master. We should then show them from God’s word that they have forgiveness of sins and eternal life (Acts 10:43; John 3:36). They should also be instructed in the duties of the Christian life, especially the duty of confessing Christ publicly, and the habit of daily prayer and Bible reading.