Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 January 1915 — SPLENDID SERVICE AT CHRISTIAN CHURCH [ARTICLE]

SPLENDID SERVICE AT CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Rev. Titus Preached From the Subject: “Almost Thou Persuadest Me to Be a Christian.” The Christian church auditorium was just about filled last night, and another splendid service resulted. That the interest in this series of services is just as keen as when they began is the consensus of opinion of those coming out from night to night. The singing of the good old songs was much enjoyed_and was participated in by the large number in attendance, and great things are promised along this line for the service tonight. An effort is being put forth to make the music a more enjoyable feature than at any of the preceding services. The sermon was concerning Paul’s defense before King Agrippa. The text was “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” The speaker said: Paul at this time was a prisoner, and was brought before King Agrippa to make his defense. Although he stood there with his hands and feet shackled and a Roman guard about him, and notwithstanding the fact of his being commanded to stop preaching of the Galilians, yet fearlessly he proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You can never silence a man upon whose soul the fifes of Almighty God have been kindled. Buffet him, scourge him, persecute him to the uttermost, yet will his ringing message come from his lips. Paul was such a man, and though confronted with his majesty, the king, in his robes of splendor, this man of God pierces the heart of his hearer until there comes the cry: “Almost thau persuadest me to be a Christian.” Would to God that our pulpits possessed such mighty men of valor today. The trouble with our time is that so much of our preaching is about the stars in their heavenly gleaming and wondrous beauty, the “babbling brooks” of spring or the “golden sunset of the hills.” This kind of preaching may sound alright and it may tickle our ears, but did it ever turn a poor wandering sin-sick soul from darkness into God’s marvelous light? Did it ever lead a poor down-trodden, yet precious soul in God’s holy light, out from the mile of sin and evil into the spotlessness and beauty of life divine Paul preached With all the vehemence of his soul the unadulterated gospel of his Lord, and that was what made the soul of Agrippa quiver, and cry aloud. So many men are afraid to preach the truth for fear they will tread upon- forbidden territory. God gave us men and women who will look into the face of the Galilian master, and who will stand alongside of Paul the Saint of God and say: “Woe is me if 1 preach not the whoe gospel of Christ.” As Paul preached before Agrippa and as the king felt the surge of the Almighty, I can say without hesitation that it was God’s greatest eall to this man. Almost was he on the point of answering and heeding that divine call, but like many and jnany a soul, he stood shivering and shaking on the brink Of his decision. Finally he dismissed the affair, and walked into his oblvion and eternal sorrow. Need I say that herein is the common experience of mankind? God has called every man’’And woman in the city of Rensselaer. He has called you through every holy, devout and consecrated man that has stood in this pulpit, or any other of the city. The ambassador of Jesus Christ is not willing that you should come to him, but if his heart rings true, ho holds up before you the pleading arms of Jesus, the Savious of the world. You have had the call in these meetings and yet you have stood on the same brink with Agrippa and said “almost.” Christ has called you in His own tender words.

Christ calls you through the loVe, sacrifice, and loving influence of your parents. How they yearn for your coining into, the kingdom, and as you think of all those noble teachings and impulses, and the “now I lay me” of sweet memory, you feel again the call. Yet you continue to sit in the seat of the “Almost” and finally pass into oblivion with Agrippa. Friends, let me jirge you tonight to hear again the divine call, and if you feel and know that your heart cries out co accept Jesus Christ, do it now. Will youcomc? The service tonight will be •of special interest to young people, gnd will be knojvn as Young Peoples’ Night. Splendid music has been arranged tor the occasion and a big crowd is expected.