April-83

"FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY"

From the mouth of them that is smoother than oil comes the present day philosophy that lewd things, and things that are base are proper for "mature" individuals. The reason children should not be exposed to such things is said to be that they are not "mature." This kind of thinking makes Sin a matter of maturity, while it brands innocence and modesty as "immaturity."

"Mature" individuals are supposed to possess an aesthetic appreciation for sensual things, and thus under the guise of education and culture, literature, music and art have been overrun by passion. The biographer and the novelist vie with each other to depict all as servants of their rancid passions, but some people are honorable, and virtuous, and this side of human conduct is almost never portrayed by modern writers. The artist argues that the human body is "beautiful," but Adam and Eve made themselves aprons to cover their nakedness, and Cod, not satisfied with "aprons," made them "coats" of skins.

Children are by nature horrified by the gross and disgusting behavior of so-called "mature" individuals, and they who teach children that those things that are vile and passionate are simply a development in to "maturity" when their yet tender conscience vehemently testifies to the perniciousness of such behavior, will one day cry for the rocks and the mountains to hide them from the face of Him Who sits upon the throne. It would be better that a millstone were hanged about their neck and they were dropped into the, depths of the sea.

What is bad for children to see, or hear is bad for adults as well because the issue is not one of "maturity", but one of "morality." God will have all His people to be "children" concerning that which is evil. And, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 18:3

"The well-being of a family, not only for this world, but for the next, and equally so the well-being of their descendants even to a remote period depends upon this union. In the ardor of passion, few are disposed to listen to the counsels of prudence; and perhaps, there is no advice, generally speaking, more thrown away, than that which is offered on the subject of marriage." --from Chapter One: "The Formation of the Marriage Union"

Note: I am embarrassed to tears my printer has not yet released the book. Please be patient. You will be well satisfied despite this inconvenience.

March 1st has come and gone. By that date we were supposed to come up with a down payment of $4000 which was 10% of the price the First Advent Christian Church was asking for these facilities. Two days before the date due, we made a counter-proposal of $25,000 with a down payment of $2500. They accepted; and are happy the building is being used for the glory of God.

However, while our monthly rent for the past Six months was applied towards the down payment, we were short $700 we had proposed. We called a fast in which we asked all the church folks who were able and who were of a willing heart to pray and cry unto the Lord in our distress. Five days passed. Then we received a check in the mail for $1100. It was all I could do to keep from crying. Thank you Mr. Brown.

Please pray for us as the building stands in critical need of some repairs. The roof must be painted; the trim is rotting, and some has fallen. We are still operating on half the plumbing.

The "strait gate is a narrow gate and is here used to describe the entrance into the state of salvation. How strait is that gate!

There is coming a day when the Master of the House will rise up and shut the door of opportunity. Many will then seek in earnest to enter in but shall not be able. They will suddenly become anxious to be accepted into the state of grace but they will not be allowed. Though like Esau they seek it carefully with tears, they will never be allowed to enter.

The Master of the House now observes people as they enter in at the door. It has been a door of mercy, and of acceptance, but one day He will rise up and "shut to" the door. It will not be left ajar, but will then become a door of distinction to separate the precious from the vile, the wise from the foolish, and the wheat from the tares. Then it will be a door of rejection and of denial, a door of exclusion. Is He not the Master of the House? Then will be heard the words of the Lord, "He which is filthy, let him be filthy still." What the Lord opens, no man is able to shut, and when the Lord shuts, no man is able to open!

This is the condition of many. A great multitude on that will never again witness the door open to His grace: they will be too late --the door will then be shut. Some in this number have been concerned about the salvation of their souls, but it has been only a half-hearted concern. Others have tried to convince themselves through a profession of faith that they are heirs of God. They have reformed some of their grossest manners, but have taken no real pains to enter in at the door. Their interest has only been a superficial interest, and while they will then be in extreme earnestness, they will not be so until then.

Many who now believe they will be accepted by God will be flatly rejected in that day. While their confidence has carried them to the very gates of Heaven, and though they will knock as if they have a right to enter, they will find the door shut by the Master of the

House. They will call Him "Lord, Lord", but they have not concerned themselves with doing the things He has said. They will identify themselves as having eaten and drunk in His presence --they have been numbered among His hearers, but they have not been doers of His Word and thus have deceived themselves.

The Master will disgrace them -- "I know you not." Then He will discard them – "Depart from Me." The reason He lives is that they are "workers of iniquity." Their punishment will be awful, for while they have presumed their right to dwell among the children, they will be "ekballomenous" –thrown out.

Godly people will come from the east, the west, the north and the south and shall be admitted into the company of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. "There shall be one fold, and one Shepherd."

Strive, therefore, that you may enter in, because "the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."

Text: "The Word of God is ... a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

The sermon has ended. The Word of God has been clearly preached, and our duty has been distinctly defined. How reasonable is the duty with which God has charged us! Yet we are prone to dismiss it from our minds before ever intending to practice it. Is it possible for a person to ignore a duty he understands and not be injured? Is not character weakened, and principle defiled? Soon, all serious thoughts of it vanish and the person becomes more calloused than before, because the person, who does not listen to obey, listens to reject and disobey.

Most people will agree with what has been preached though they will not make any vigorous effort to heed it. Others will begin, will soon leave the duty abandoned. They are very unhappy people who walk in the way of God with a halting, indecisive step, because the consequences of neglecting the Word of God are as sure to them who half-heartedly neglect it as it is to them who callously ignore it.

How many who regularly hear the Word of God preached are no better for it! They comprehend the message given, but their heart is insensitive and their conscience is asleep. They are like the farmer who brings hie plow to the field and throws it down, and wonders why it will not make a furrow.

The sermon has ended: what are you going to do with it? Decide distinctly whether you will or will not heed the Word of God. Do not leave your obedience to be decided by your feelings. Do not think you will have a more convenient time to obey. Do not argue your responsibility and allow your guilt to subside and your conscience to be seared.

If you are unwilling to take a decided stand for that which is right, is it unjust for God to consider you as standing for that which is wrong?

"I have been receiving and enjoying The Angelus for a number of years and have written occasionally as you may remember.

"For this reason we have a continuing interest in your good work there, and enclose a contribution toward securing the old church you speak of by March 1st. If this is not sufficient to raise the $4000 you need please write or call."

-"They confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." (Hebrews ll:13)-