Part 11

There must be harmony between the law and the gospel. If we deal in the law exclusively, we shall fail to get men saved to God. If we stop declaring the law, we shall fail to reach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We must be made to know that we are sick, before we will apply the remedy. The servant of God must cry aloud, and spare not; lift up their voice like a trumpet and show the people their sins, and Israel their transgressions. The great mass of professors seem to ignore the law altogether. It has become very unpopular to tell the people that they are sinners, and on their way to hell, and unless they repent, they will surely perish. But on the other hand, they are made to believe, and that too, by preachers, that they are _naturally_ very good, and that we almost confer a great favor on the Almighty, by letting Him bless us. A man will never give up his sins, until he becomes sick of them. Hence he should be made sick as soon as possible, and as sick as possible. Make him so, by declaring the law to him, that he will disgorge freely and fully, throwing up anything that caused a bilious state of soul. When this is accomplished, you can safely apply the gospel remedy, without much fear of a speedy relapse, or of healing slightly. There is not much danger of the disease returning, where the system has been thoroughly purged by law remedies. But to give the sweatmeats of the gospel to them that need the law, tends to aggravate the case, and make it worse. But, says one, does not the blood cleanse us from our sins? Yes, the blood is the foundation, _if we confess our sins_ He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness--Glory to God! But to illustrate: In passing a marble factory we see a large block of marble upon skids. The block upon which we look is about eight feet long, five thick, and four wide. A set of gang-saws, propelled by steam power, are cutting this huge piece of marble up into slabs, about two inches thick. Above this piece of marble is placed a conductor of water, conveying it the whole length of the marble, and to every saw. On the top of this marble is placed a bushel or two of sand. The water falling upon this, washes it down upon the saws, causing them to execute their design more rapidly upon the marble. Now, to the point: Our hearts are naturally hard, stony. We have to be squared by the law; these saws represent the law. Whatever the law condemns, _must_ be abandoned. The water falling upon the marble, represents the gospel. We need to mix in a good deal of the gospel with the law. The sand falling upon the saw is repentance and confession. To make the law cut, we need to confess our sins; this brings us directly to the blood. O, glory to God! Its good to live where the blood is continually dropping upon our hearts. Bless God for the squaring process of the law, and the polishing touches of the gospel. Brother, please mix well your preparations with a proper amount of law and gospel. After dosing out law, until your hearers are in a state of despair, introduce them to the banqueting house of corn and wine, and oil; let them feast to their heart’s content, until “Old things have passed away, and all things become new.”

XVII.

KEEP THE SABBATH DAY HOLY.

The laws of God are not arbitrary. Every commandment is as reasonable as it is divine. _Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandments holy, and just, and good_; having as much regard to the well-being of man, as to the honor and glory of God. Their tendency in every instance is evidently beneficial; and he who breaks them, not only sins against God, but wrongs his own soul. They enjoin nothing but what is conducive to man’s happiness, nor prohibit anything but what would ultimately injure him, so that the observance of every command of God, is as much our interest, as our duty.

The Sabbath is a great blessing to mankind. It is well adapted to his fallen condition. It gives him rest from labors, and anxiety, and affords him time to acquire a knowledge of his Author, and destination, and to prepare for that Eternal rest which is at God’s right hand. _Therefore remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy: six days thou shalt labor and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God, in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor any stranger that is within thy gate._

There are many ways in which we may break the Sabbath. It is not confined to buying, or selling goods, running cars, or vessels, cheese factories, or patronizing any of these on God’s holy day; neither is it confined to blacking boots, shaving, getting up extra dinners, polishing stoves, or knives and forks. Truly in these God is dishonored, and his laws broken. We are not to visit on the Lord’s day, except in a _real_ cause of _mercy_. If to help the sick, or to relieve the needy, it is right; but if we neglect the sick on week days, _because we cannot afford the time_, or practice a little self denial, and take the Sabbath for this purpose, _we are guilty before God_.

Many seem to think they can visit a brother or sister on the Sabbath, and spend one, two, or more hours, in religious conversation. Is not the Sabbath, a day of rest? Ought we not, after attending the usual means of grace, to spend the remaining part of the day, in reading God’s word, in meditation, and in prayer before Him. These hours, are sacred to every child of God, and should not be lost, or their sanctity destroyed, by _thoughtless visitors_. The day is often profaned, by visiting at church, before and after services. How painful, to see men and women, professedly saints, standing around the door, grouped together in the aisles, _visiting_ on God’s holy day. Brother, sister, ought you not as soon as you enter the church, commence a prayer meeting, and let it continue until time for preaching. How much better to enter upon this solemn service, with hearts burning with the love of God, and a faith that brings conviction down upon the hearts of sinners, and holds up the preacher while he is proclaiming God’s eternal truth; where this is done the shouts of victory will be heard. _Works of piety_, may be done on the Sabbath, but we may not do our own works, or lean to our own ways. We are not to _travel_ on the Lord’s day, except on works of _mercy_, or on works of piety, and this may be determined by the necessities of the case. If to relieve the sick, or help the needy, all right. But is it right for those that attend our quarterly meetings, general or otherwise, to remain until after the morning service, and then hitch up, and drive five, ten, twenty, or more miles, on Sabbath afternoon and evening, to reach their homes; is it not in opposition to the law, which says, _Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy_. I think it is. I know some that practice this, claim that it is _necessary_. Not long since, a load of “Pilgrims,” (I think eight, or ten,) came to a general quarterly meeting, where I was stationed. Immediately after the morning service they commenced preparations for returning home Sabbath afternoon. They were urged to remain, and not break the Lord’s day; they thought it _necessary_, and so they started, but were caught in a snow storm, and detained just as long as they would have been had they kept the Sabbath and remained at the meeting. There are other cases of this kind, where disappointment, and loss resulted from this course of action. But if there is no pecuniary loss by such actions, there is great loss to the soul, and to the cause of Christ. Another reason why one should remain over the Sabbath, is, all the strength of the meeting is needed on Sabbath evening; the interest of the meeting has been on the increase, conviction on the hearts of the unsaved has become more intense, some have almost decided to say, “I yield, I yield.” God’s saving power is hovering over precious souls, but it still needs, a steady, unwavering faith in God. A mighty faith, a united faith, and the whole faith of the church, to bring the victory; and just when help is most needed, (I mean human, for God works by means) the laborers are scattered in various directions, wending their way home.

“If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasures on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable, and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasures, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”

XVIII.

YOUR FRUIT UNTO HOLINESS.

A few years since, I visited the home of my childhood, after an absence of more than twenty years. Imagine my astonishment, as I passed along the way where my weary feet had often trodden in my childhood’s days. A complete transformation had taken place. The wilderness had given way to well cultivated fields. It had truly been made to bud and blossom as the rose. The little log hut, once the home of the pioneer, had given way to stately mansions. The stillness that had formerly reigned in those regions, had passed away; and the hum of husbandry had taken its place. I realized that something had been done to produce this great change. Many a hard blow had been given in felling the trees; much toil in removing the timber, and burning up the underbrush. It then became necessary to introduce the stump machine, that the old stumps and roots might every one be removed from the soil. And then, what a transformation! I thought I saw in this a complete analogy of our natural, depraved condition, and the transforming power of the Holy Ghost. I realized, in _some_ degree, the labor and suffering that had been given to produce these wonderful results.

My mind instantly reverted to Gethsemane; to Pilate’s Hall; to Calvary; to the Crucifixion; the precious blood; its all-cleansing power to remove the foulest stains that sin hath made; and blessed be God! to remove all the roots of bitterness connected with our old man, _depravity_!

“His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood avails for me.”

But then, how are we to avail ourselves of this glorious power? Repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Without repentance, there is no approaching Deity. This must precede all acts of saving faith. Place it just as God has it.

Repent and believe the Gospel; and by this we understand godly sorrow, which will lead to a confession of our sins, and a separation from them, and restitution where possible.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from unrighteousness.” Here is the secret of success. Repentance! Repentance! “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth them shall have mercy.”

When old depravity has been thoroughly broken up by repentance, and the heart washed in the all-cleansing blood, then we have our fruit unto holiness. There will be a blessed realization that this consecration which we so frequently make with our lips, has been made with our hearts, and accepted by the Lord.

“Take my soul and body’s powers; Take my mem’ry, mind and will; All my goods and all my hours; All I know and all I feel; All I think, or speak, or do; Take my heart, but make it new.”

Whether, therefore, we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, it will be done for the glory of God. Your fruit--unto holiness, and your end--everlasting life.

XIX.

WITHOUT NATURAL AFFECTION.

Has earth a scene more lovely than the family circle--father, mother, sons and daughters, well-bred, loving each other tenderly, and bending all their energies to do the will of God on earth, that they may finally gain the skies? I think not. Then how gladly they welcome additions to this lovely group. Baby, with its little pug nose, flaxen hair, ruddy cheeks, soft eyes, and such a sweet, expressible mouth, are sources of wondrous delight and admiration. How sad, indeed, must those families be that are not blessed with children. One of the grandest and most sublime features of the world that is to come will be the children. “For of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

The family relation is recognized by the Almighty as a holy relation. He gives us to understand that children are a blessing, and not a curse. “Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them;” for they shall be “like olive plants around thy table.” And yet there are a great many that are ashamed of God’s blessing.

I wish right here to ask two questions, and answer them: What is the most precious thing that each generation has in its keeping? and what is that which it most neglects and undervalues? To both I make but one answer--_Children_. In this sinful generation it is considered by many a disgrace to give, or allow them to have a being, and they resort to methods highly objectionable to gratify their licensed sensuality. Thus they prevent life, or cause its destruction; I mean, they commit murder! The wrath of God is poured out on the nations for the awful crime of child-murder. The man that whipped his child to death a few years since, in Western New York, aroused the indignation of every human being that was made acquainted with the affair. No one blushed to call it by its right name--_murder_! And is it not murder to take the life of a human being at any age? and ought not murderers to be punished accordingly? Is it any the less a crime because it is fashionable, and millions are doing it? And is it not time the veil was drawn aside and light from the pulpit and the press let in upon us brighter than the sun at noonday, until public opinion shall be thoroughly aroused, and condemnation written on the guilty. To have children is a duty equal with any of the responsibilities of life. “Multiply and replenish the earth,” was the command God gave to Adam and Eve; and this was repeated after the flood. God says again, “I will that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion for the adversary to speak reproachfully.” Save us, O Lord, from false modesty, and give us natural affection, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

XX.

SOWING AND REAPING.

It is said that like causes will produce like results in all ages of the world. This is true, both in a moral and temporal point of view. If we sow wheat, corn, barley, thistles, we shall reap the same. Whatever our doings are, it will bring forth its legitimate fruit. “For whatever a man soweth that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting.” This has been clearly demonstrated in many places where costly churches have been built. The spirit of emulation has taken possession of the people, especially in church building. They desire greatly to go beyond their neighbor in this; and in most cases, they have gone in their planning operations far beyond their means; consequently, they are compelled to resort to the lottery department, pic-nics, sociables, banquetings, excursions, ice-cream, strawberry, and necktie parties, to carry forward the _grand_ enterprise. One case will illustrate the many of this character; and yet, the results may not in every case be as sad as the one I now refer to. But nevertheless, pride, worldly conformity, spiritual death, will follow all such departures from the old landmarks. A society in this city have been struggling along for some years, in all the ways mentioned above, to raise money to build a costly church. The last banquet this society held (which was of the necktie order) proved very disastrous to some members of the church in their domestic relations, if not their eternal ruin. I took the following extract from the Sunday _Mercury_, which shows the nature of the seed sown:

“Of Twentieth street M. E. Church, Philadelphia, the brethren and sisters have been having a calico festival. By Sister Boyer, in New Jersey, the wrinkle was learned. Of the pattern corresponding to her apron, each sister deposited a gentleman’s necktie. By the gentleman, for a quarter of a dollar, the sister whose apron the article matched the pattern of his purchase, he was permitted ‘piously’ to ‘treat.’ By Brother Broin the party was opened. Sweet Sister Carrigan the brother led out. The more neck-ties of different patterns a brother purchased, the more sisters of _course_ he ‘treated.’ Among the heavy buyers were Brother Kent and Brother Hoffman. What worried Sister Hoffman was that the religious writer of the _Mercury_ might ‘be about.’ Of Sister Busby the apron was the handsomest. Brother Roberts on six neck-ties made investment. So, also, did Bartine. Altogether the festival was a success.”

This is about the way these things move; and--yet, there were things connected with this party of a grave character. A brother--a man having a family--a steward, and a leading man in the society, purchased a neck-tie. He very soon found a young damsel, whose apron corresponded with the neck-tie just purchased. He, of course, according to the rule of the party, was bound (to use a bar-room phrase), to “treat” her. She took his arm, and away they went to the place prepared for refreshments. The brother’s wife was present, and while looking upon the scene, her husband, joking, trifling, spreeing--and that with a woman he had no right to--_no right within such relations_; she became disgusted, indignant, at such a departure from pure religion--yea, from common decency and respectability.

Late at night they returned home, the wife with injured feelings, the husband delirious from the effects of the exciting scenes that he had just passed through. We would gladly draw a veil over the scene that followed, but God must be honored, the truth must be told. The balance of the night was spent in unpleasant words. In the morning, the husband repairs to a drinking saloon and gets drunk, which he continues to do. His family--a wife and a very lovely daughter, eleven years of age, took the matter very much to heart, weeping and wailing almost incessantly, which brought on the daughter a violent disease, and in a few days, death! The wife is very much worn down by grief, and expects in a few days to follow the daughter. If we sow to the _flesh_, we shall of the flesh _reap_ corruption. A mistaken idea prevails among many religionists, _that the end_ (if it be a laudable one) sanctifies the means; and this prevails to an alarming extent; hence, the resorting to many ways condemned of God, and by most, if not all, our legitimate bodies, who declare lotteries to be gambling, and are prohibited by law; and, yet, many professors of the grace of God resort to this, to raise means to build costly churches, and carry forward what they call the work of the Lord. “Shall we do evil that good may come? God forbid!”

“No room for mirth or trifling here, For worldly hope, or worldly fear, If life so soon is gone; If now the Judge is at the door, And all mankind must stand before The inexorable throne!

No matter which my thoughts employ, A moment’s misery or joy; But, O! when both shall end, Where shall I find my destined place? Shall I my everlasting days, With fiends or angels spend?

Nothing is worth a thought beneath, But how I may escape the death, That never, never dies! How shall I make my election sure; And when I fail on earth, secure A mansion in the skies!”

Dear reader, remember every act goes to the account; every vain and trifling word; every misspent hour; every neglected Sabbath; every time Christ has been offered you and rejected; every gospel sermon that you have heard and have not given heed thereto; every profane word uttered; every lie told--yea, every act of life, and all the upbraidings of conscience, are treasures of wrath laid up for you to reap through all eternity! But if you have been sowing to the Spirit, life everlasting. Be not deceived, God is not mocked.

XXI.

TO ACTUAL SETTLERS.

Our government has been very generous in making a law, giving to every man a homestead, upon the simple condition that he will settle upon it. To enjoy this he must be an actual settler. He may talk much of the beautiful West, how inviting it is; how independent people become who go West; how strong his desires are to go, and that he means to go; but unless he packs up and moves on, he will never get there; he will never know anything about the grandeur of possessing a home in the West.

God has provided a home in the land of Canaan, the land of perfect love for all actual settlers. Holiness is a blessed theme; many love to talk about it, and speculate about the fruit that grows in that fair clime, where the sun never goes down; “a land of corn, and wine, and oil, favored with God’s peculiar smile, with every blessing blest.” There are no obnoxious weeds, such as anger displayed in kicking back; no pride, as seen in the wearing of gold, and pearls, and costly attire; no gay churches, too grand for the poor.

No, blessed be God, in that land of perfect love all is pure; the fountain-head is holy. Every desire is unto the Lord. The stream of life is without mixture, full of health and life eternal. But as lovely as this land may be, to possess it we must move upon it, _be actual settlers_. When we purchase a farm and pay our money for the same, we receive a warrantee deed, made out correctly, signed by proper authorities, and sealed by the government seal. It is precisely so with those that settle down upon a _homestead_ in the land of perfect love; their title is made as clear as ten thousand suns could make it. The Holy Ghost writes, ’Tis done, the great transaction is done; “thou art cleansed from all unrighteousness,” and this produces a sensation and the soul cries out, “Glory to God!” Then comes a very comfortable feeling, “I am washed in the blood of the Lamb.” “His Spirit beareth witness to this great truth, that we are citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem.” “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” A _homestead_ or entire sanctification is one of the things that are freely given to us of God, and it is the office of the Holy Ghost to make us know that we have received it.

XXII.

THE WIDOW’S MITE.

A few days since, while visiting the United States mint, I was deeply impressed with various objects of interest that I saw there.

The scales for weighing metals, to the amount of one hundred thousandth part of an ounce. The dies, for stamping coin, requiring a pressure of eighty tons. Here, I saw the coin used by different nations; some of great value, others of less. But what impressed me the most was a piece of money called, the widow’s mite; supposed to be worth one half farthing.