Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1915 — CHRISTIAN REVIVAL TO CLOSE SUNDAY [ARTICLE]

CHRISTIAN REVIVAL TO CLOSE SUNDAY

Successful Meeting Conducted By Rev. Titus For Past Three Weeks Nearing'End. Last night’s service was a very fitting wind-up for the effort of the week a the Christian church. A goodly sized crow’d braved the scorm and helped to make the service as good as any during the three weeks that have now passed. Theer were three confessions last night, bringing the total thus far to thirty-one, and there are still a large number who are desirous of uniting with the church, and who it is believed will come during the services Sunday. Sunday is to be a gieat day- in the closing up of tins meeting, and good things are promised those who will attend. The sermon was on ‘Counting the Cost.” The speaker said: io this multitude who had gathered around Jesus and also to His own disciples, the Christ held out no raise hopes, ideals or teachings. He told them in words clear and plain that discipleship and His Kingdom had its price; that no man need expect to find calm and easy sailing in the great harvest field of Christian service. “If any man would some after me, let him first take up his cross and follow lhe.” fie that is not willing to forsake all that he hathTs not worthy to oeeome my disciple. If thy right eye should offend thee, pluck it out. If thy right arm should offend thee,- cut it off.” These are some of the ringing words that came from the lips of the Galilian carpenter as He bade men follow Him. So today, He urges us to count the cost; and no man or woman should accept Jesus Christ without they have given at least some consideration to the duties, responsibilities and tasks that are entailed. And> my friends, I hope the day will never come in the history of the church of Jesus Christ when we will be willing to lose sight of the real cost of dicipleship and the glorious standing Jesus has given to the world. There are hosts of people who would rush into God’s kingdom and would gladly be remembered among those of His church if we would not insist upon the paying the price. The church should not and must not tolerate the member who clings with one hand to the church and with the other clutches the whisky bottle. No man has the right to God’s kingdom and still retain his vile and filthy language. No man can keep faith with his Christ and at the ame time scheme, plan and in an unholy, and unmanly way push another up against the wall, for Jesus taught the lesson of human brotherhood as well as He taught baptism or prayer. The greatest and holiest lives of all history, sacred or profane, have been the men who have been will- ’ ing to count the cost and who have been willing to make their sacrifice on behalf of the kingdom and Christian service. The monuments that rise from lowly earth to high Heaven have never, not one of them, been erected to a miser, or a selfish life, but to the one who after counting the cost, said: “Her* Lord, take my Hfe and use it in complete and holy service.” The Sunday-services will be very interesting in their nature, and the evening theme will be on the subject: “Driving Like Jehu.”