Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 78, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 January 1915 — Christian Church Revivals. [ARTICLE]

Christian Church Revivals.

The evangelistic meetings at the Christian church were begun last Sunday with three services for the day. Great crowds were in attendance at all the services, and the meeting promises great things for the town. Prof. Altheide, who is leading the chorus and delivering solos, has a good, rich tenor voice, and seems to be at his best in making the chorus sing. He is arranging for some special music by way of duets, trios and quartettes for the remainder of the week. The sermons on Sunday were very practical in their nature, and suggested many things for the people of this city. Last night’s sermon was on the theme, “Sowing Wild Oats.” The speaker said in part: “We must learn to speak in terms that are plain and clear in our day. If a man defrauds a bank or business concern, we say, ‘He misappropriated funds.’ When the truth of the matter is he has stolen, and is a thief. If a man side-steps duty, we say, ‘He has a lapse of memory,’ when the truth ot the whole thing is he has lied. When a young man sins against his God and his own Interests we say, ‘He is sowing his wild oats.’ The fact of the matter is he has lifted the suicidal arm against himself and has sinned.

“Parents say: 'O, he will get over his sowing wild oats some day, let him alone.’ No more false and foolish statement could be made than this. No man is ever so good after his sowing wild oats in life. It leaves its mark in our bodies. We need only look at the man who has been an habitual drunkard He never can be as good a man as he might have been if he had not made a sewer of body.

“Sin leaves its stain on the conscience. When we have reached the ago of gray hairs and tottering frames, we only need touch a secret spring and the whole drama of our lives will be enacted over again. The sins of youth seem but the sins of yesterday when we are old.

“Sin leaves its stain upon the social life. No young man or woman need ever expect to stand high in the estimation of the social life who sows wild oats. The demand today is for clean, wholesome and right character. Young man you can never sow wild oats and reap a golden harvest. Young woman you can’t sow to the winds and reap a harvest that’s desired. Sow to the wind and you reap the whirlwind. Sow the tares and you reap the tares. Sow for God and you reap the things of God.’’ .