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How can ye believe who receive honor one of another? — »Tesu8. FI118T CANADIAN FROM THE TWENTY-SECOND A.MERICAN EDITION. •. • ' ". . ■ Toronto: PUBLISHED BY G. R. SANDERSOiV, WESLEY AN BOOK ROOM. 1855. *;f»:;?«^^'i i at R ~ ■:-:i i--: i ■.»• *», « :iy /^js jr^ JL'M 2 u 1345 COPYRIGHT SECURED. •*. . , , ."-.., 4 I "i f 'dW 10 REV. BISHOP JANES AND LADY, WHOSK EZPXRIEHCE AVD PBACTIOS rURHISB TO THE PBAISE OK GOD, A DAILY BXHIBITIOH OF FAITH AND ITS KFFEUTS THIS VOLUME It HFFSCTIONATELY D1;DICATI;D BT THE AUTHOR "%. ^ ■ v.^t ■ '■ Wt ^ s^ m V*^>": ^- A i^ t PREFACE. i What is FAim? This is a question, which by the pious of all ages has been regarded as pre- eminemly important. And surely the magnitude of the inquiry cannot be estimated beyond what its merit demands. What question can be more momentous to one who would secure the divine approval, since without faith it is impossible to please God ? Yet the subject of faith has been so ably discussed by theologians of deep piety, that the author of this work has no intention of enter- ing upon this ground as the revealer of any new thv3ory. She may not speak of a higher anticipa- tion than that of bringing forth truths as old as the Bible, with the humble hope that the Holy Spirit may cau^>e them to be presented to the reader with vitality and freshness. And why write a book, if nothing new to com- municate ? We answer, with the hope that some sincere inquirer, who may have been long looking for some new revelation, or that some great thing be wrought, may cease the vain endeavor, and in lov/liness of mind ask for the old paths. Few, perhaps, have been more perplexed in re- lation to faith than the writer was in early life. I I «■'■ 6 PREFACE. She has since discovered that the religion of the Bible does not require great powers of mind to reach it, but deep humility of spirit to come down to its simplicity. That the Bible is the word of God, is a truth with which from infancy she had been fami- liar, yet from a want of a proper realization of this fact her difficulties mainly arose. For years past she has in experimental verity apprehended the Divinity of the Word, and consequently her diffi- culties about faith have all vanished. Meeting with many who inquire the heavenly way, and yet have been hindered by similar perplex- ities, the author, in her frequent communications with such, has in her directions pointed to the law and the testimony as an infallible guide, f>nd a sufficient rule for faith and practice. Her endeavor has been to meet these diversified cases, (which have ranged from the unawakened sinner to the traveler in the way of holiness,) on the ground of Bible truth ; and it is hoped that something which has been presented may instruct and interest a few in each class of experience. If the work may be in any degree instrumental in the awakening and ultimate salvation of souls, the author's highest ambition will have been reached, and the glory shall be ascribed to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 4 i ♦ F-s«3 a CONTENTS. N> I. — To Mb. M . Mr. M acknowledges himself uuawa- kened — What is faith ? — Interview with a Hicksite friend — Displea- sure incurred — Doings and sayings at a class meeting— An uu likely subject of prayer presented — Mrs. W.'s inquiry— The sinner condemned already— The culprit C ; his agony when under condemnation, the effect of his faith in mai -Mr. M not a believer in the Bible as the word of God — Influei ial Mends can- not save— Mr. M under condemnation — "W .0 word of God has not the same effect as a voice from he Page 13 No. II. — To Mr. M . Mr. M. inquires the way — li res the ef- fect of faith — Evidences of the inheing of faith — Perilous condition acknowledged — Hardness of heart confessed and bemoaned — Not required to save ourselves — Sinful to stay away from the Saviour — A letter to a sincere inquirer — Difficulties in tho way of salvation — Repentance known by its fruit . 21 No. III. — To Mr. M . Mr. M inquires whether the power to believe may not be withheld — The power to exercise faith never withheld from the truly sincere — Difficulty with one who had been seeking the Lord four years, and how removed — Man possesses the awful power of pronouncing his own blessings and curses — Five individuals converted the same day on which they were awakened — Difficulty with Mr. S. — Of one who thought it was too late . . 28 No. IV. — To Mr. M . Sincerity and earnestness not sufficient to insure salvation — An illustration of how faith is the gift of God — How to show fruit meet for repentance — An error in pre- senting petitions for awakened persons — Lad on the roof of a building— The man near a cataract— Not saved by doing nothing 34 No. V. — To Mr. M . A matter of surprise with Mr. M Rea- sons for delay wholly with the creature — Singular case of a lady where conviction followed conversion— Late Rev. S. M. relates a similar case— God ever meets us on the ground of liis word — How to keep a new heart— Progression required— The Bible ; its excellence— The scheme of salvation conditional . . 40 No. VI.— To Mr. M — ■. Condemned and justified at the same moment impossible — Case of a young lady who mistook a state of condemnation for one of justification ; not intentionally hypo- critical — How the mistake may imperceptibly be made— Condi- tion upon which a state of justification is retained — How soon may perfection be attained ? 47 No. VII.— To Mr. M . The summit of Cluristian attainment may never be reached in time— Paul not perfect in attainment — He professes perfection, and in what sense— A state of perfection requiring progression urged— Christian^ not Adamic, perfection, the object . 51 CONTENTS. I 1 No. VIII.— To Mr. M . Inquiries relative to the leugth of time intervening between a state of justification and entire sanctifica- tion— Mr. Wesley's views on the subject— IIow backslidings might be less frequent— Another intjuiry from my Ilicksite friend— IJow unlioly professors encourage skepticism— Tiie case of a young man whose friends were professing Christians— Salvation from sin may be obtained now— How a liousekeeper obtained it Page 54 No. IX.— To Mns. W . Fruits of holiness partially enjoyed —Work of the Spirit, and tenderness of conscience at an early age— Regret— Ditliculties — The cost counted— Activity required —Intense breatiiings— A wrong standard of experience— A dar- ling object— Great tilings anticipated fil No. X.— To Mrs. W . A sacrifice contemplated— The surren- der is made — Tlie seal of consecration enstamped — Apprehends a state of holiness— Exults in the knowledge of the sanctification of body, soul, and spirit— Scruples removed— Christ all in all 70 No. XI.— To Mns. W . The bhss of dwelling in God— Blessings are received for the good of others — Confession contemplated— What iiad been a hinderance for years— Hearty submission to the order of God 75 No. XII.— To Mrs. W . The adversary foiled— Unbroken quiet — Tempted in a dream— Sweet repose — Encouragement given during sleep — Peace, the heritage of the believer . . 78 No. XIII.— To Mrs. W . Temptation relative to retaining the blessing — Mental conflict — Peace — Confession— Desires to know tlie precise foundation of faith— A statement of the way in which prayer was an? wered— The consequences of turning out of the way apprehended 83 No. XIV.— To Mrs. W . Heaven begun below— Holiness the believer's strength — " If I get it I cannot keep it"— Remark of Dr. B Mysticism— Consecration a simple act— Holiness main- tained by constant faith— The Scriptures a medium of communion with God— Tlie way of the cross— A new existence— Effect on the world of universal hoUness in the church ... 88 No. XV.— To Mrs. R . Questions — Unreasonable not to be holy— Danger of slighting convictions— Sad remembrances — A fearful state— Count the cost — Decision— Self-sacrir.^e — The mar- tyrs — The offense of the cross not ceased — Self-distrust — The way opened to the holiest— Temptations 94 No. XVI.— To Mrs. R . Power of faith— Terms of the cove- nant— Unsanctified resting in creature-good— Self-denial— A Jew- ish offerer— The Christian's altar— The altar greater than the gift— Self-sacrifice reasonable ; our dutv ; its benefits— The of- fering must touch the altar— The will rnust be resigned . 98 No. XVII.— To Mr. K . An impression confirmed— Rehgious joy— Temptation succeeds— Unwise inference— Ilohness a state of character, not of emotion— The disciple with Jesus in the wil- derness, and on the mount— The disciples on Tabor— The unwise request— The crown coveted, not the cross ... 105 No. XVIIL— To Mr. K . Questions-Mr. K 's resolution— Inconsistency of Mr. K 's position-May the sanctification of the soul be achieved gradually ?—" God's word its own evi- . aence"— Correspondence between faith and confession— " Have I*. ■i CONTENTS. 9 in 83 I lost my Willi"— Illustrations— The obedient child— The Sa- viour — Family government — Ruling by love — Daily intercession — Household dedication— Restraint — Abraliam's latnily — Josliua — Eh Page 110 No. XIX.— To Mr. K , Remarkable visit of the Spirit— A new heart given to a little child — " 1 want to pray more" — An accusa- tion of the tempter — Little W Infantile anticipation . 118 No. XX. — To Mr. K . Faith receives Christ in all his oftices— Distrustfulness — Illustration — A specific kind of unbelief pointtd out — The Bible the voice of God to man — Reference to 2 Pet. i, 21 — Profession on the authority of the woud urged — Waverings in faitii sinful — Triumphs of Satan — Loss to the church— Sliglit no- tions of the sin of unbelief lamented 123 No. XXL— To Mr. K . '* Onli/ unbehef"— Ancient Israel— Bor- ders of the promised land reached — Met and vanquished by an enemy— Who was it ?— God dishonored by unbelief . 129 No. XXII.— To Rev. Mr. P . Difliculties in the distance— Humility and decision — Divine protection — Daniel — Workers together with God — Witness of the Spirit — Distinction between faith and sight — Abraham ; his patient faith — The wavering one . . 133 No. XXIII. — To Rkv. Mr. P . Premature application of the pro- mises — Not wjUing to be holy — Paul's concise statement of the way to holiness — i3istinction between consecration and sanctifi- cation — Obedience must precede appropriating faith — Wickedness of removing a sacrifice from the altar — Thomas — Of one who gave up his will 137 No. XXIV. — To Rev. Mr. P . Temptation as to the genuineness of faith — " Man-work" — Faith without works — " Workers together with God" — Queries about self-sanctification — Answers— Scrip- tural test 142 No. XXV.— To Rev. Mr. P . Baptism of the Spirit— The just shall live by faith— Witness of the Spirit— Answer delayed— Need of patience — My sister — Interview with Rev. T. Merritt — Confes- sion — Steadfastness — Zeal 146 No. XXVI.— To Rev Mr. P . Mr. P.'s singular statement of his case — Conclusions questioned — Illustration — The effect of my faith in Mr. P Witness of the Spirit — " The Spirit speaketJi expressly" — The.. Bible the voice of the Spirit — The blessing ap- prehended in tlie promise — Faith in a dark hour — Resignation 150 No. XXVII. — To Bishop and Mrs. H . Separated friends — Day of my espousals — Judge W , and .Judge R Happiness without holiness — A forty years' seeker obtains the blessing in a few hours — An evening on tlie camp ground — Struggles of a minister for holiness ; his confession — Full salvation in five mi- nutes — Brother and sister B " This now salvation" — Decision — Self-denial— Sweet peace ....... 155 No. XXVIII.— To Rev. T. M . The " Third Monday evening meetings" — Rev. Mr. C Our caUing- Mr.«*. The testimony of a maid in Israel — Searching the Scriptu.es — " It is all here" —A pious visit— Interrogations — An object of great desire— With- stood by Satan— The vow— The victory— Delay— Trial— A hearty profession of full salvation 165 No. XXIX.— To Rev. Mr. K . E street Church— One hun- dred witnesses — Revival — A local preacher — Long-continued ef- forts to obtain holiness— Remark of Dr. Sixty persons ;ii TO CO^TfiNTS. f set apart for God— Tlie camp prayer meeting— A passer-by arrested— A searching preaclier—Revival in Baltimore— The w urk of God in A street in 1831— Morning meetings— Men and angels— Holiness the strength of the cliurch— Satan's favorite in- strument — A reproachful compliment . . . Page 175 No. XXX.— To Mrs. B . Mark xi, 24—1 John v, 14, 15— An il- lustration—Answers to prayei— ''The Faithful and True"— "Iii God will I praise his word"— The bank bill— Tha infidel minister- Faith and sense— The word personified— An end of the difficulty 1 83 No. XXXI.— To Mrs. B . Presumption taken for faith— Doc- trines abused— Tlie assertion, *' Believe that you have it, and you have it," not Scriptural— Importunate prayer unanswered— An unauthorized petitioner— The lame and bhnd oflfered in sacrifice— The backsUder's prayer — Divine direction sought in vain — Meddhng with secret things— Why some parents cannot believe— Unholy hands lifted up 189 No. XXXII.— To THE Members of the Church. The church is a family — Intercessions — Revival prevented — The sin of one man — A reproach to Christ — Social gatherings versus class meetings — A wonderful deception — The convicted — Cruel friends — " Who ruined that soul ?" — God's decree nullified — A re- vival in God's order — Death busy and the church idle — " Curse ye Meroz" 195 No. XXXIII. — To THE Members of the Church. Neg- lect of the stated means — A remark of Mr. Wesley — An en- gagement to meet a friend — Who broke it ?— One in three at class —What Thomas lost — All strong, and all at work — '* Begin at my sanctuary" — Six left of three hundred— An estimate— Nursing fathers and mothers 201 No. XXXIV.— To Rev. . Memoir of Mrs. The common peo- ple— Good news— A commanding post— Ability equal to duty— Our calling as a church—" The high doctrines of our creed"— Myste- ries—A popular young minister — Mr. Wesley's last advice — How others regard us — A dilemma — Professor Disappointment — A Presbyterian's opinion of a Methodist congregation—'' What do ye more than others ?" 206 No. XXXV.— To Mr. J . Disposition of property— Inequahties of human condition — Responsibility graduated by possession- Prudent foresiglit recommended by Solomon — Of tliose who heap together riches— Comparative liberality — Censoriousness — " Are rich men required to give up all '?" — Community of goods— A de- bate 213 No. XXXVI.— To Mr. J . A stumbling block—" One hundred dollars instead of six"— The wealthy father and his two sons- Jacob's vow— Large income for the Lord's treasury- A broken vow— Obstacle to religious prosperity— Tests of fidelity— David's view of liberality— Systematic mode of giving— Tlie tenth devoted — "Giveth and yet increaseth"— Missionaries . . .218 No. XXXVIL— To Rev. . " Why cannot I believe ?"— Plain dealing— Our reputation belongs to God— Expulsions from the ministry—" Why insist on terms ?" -A resolve to stand or fall with truth— Ashamed of Christ's words—Tho sin of ignorance- Objection to Scripture phraseology- -Paul's conduct— Reputation not resigned— " How can ye believe?"— Christ's benediction on the outcast 225 i CONTENTS. 11 . passer-by -The w oik —Men and favorite in- Page 175 , 15— An il- rrue"— " III minister — ifficulty 183 faith— Doc- ive it, and mswered — offered in sought in nts cannot 189 incH. The d— The sin ngs versus ted — Cruel itied — A re- e — " Curse 195 RCH. Neg- '.y — An en- ree at class egin at my 3— Nursing 201 mmon peo» duty— Our I"— Myste- i^ice — How )intment — What do 20G lequahties ssession- who heap "Are Ade- 213 B hundred wo sons- -A brolien —David's h devoted . 218 i ?»-Plain from the nd or fall norance — Leputation iiction on 225 3SS- )ds No. XXXVIII.— To Rev. Mr. H . Heaven's nobility incog- Views presented by the Spirit on the subject of confession — A sanctified soul hails from heaven- -Tlie force of tlie clause, "in earth as in heaven" — An angel on earth ; his singleness of pur- pose ; his heroic zeal . . . . . . . Page 234 -. "What is the witness of the -'* He that believeth hath the wit- No. XXXlX.—To Rev. Mr. M- Spirit ?" — Wesley's definition- ness" — A promissory note — Ten years' experience — Wiiethov wo believe or not is matter of consciousness — " What are the evi- dences of entire sanctificatioa ?" — "Tlie Spirit itself beareth wit- ness" — "By what marks may we know that we are entirely sanc- tified?" . .= . 239 No. XL.— To Miss S — —. The divine image borne and reflected — The doctrine of entire sanctification at conversion considered — It is anti'Wesleyan — Unscriptural — Christians lu-ged to go on to perfection — Desires for holiness tlie result not of backslidings, but of an active and growing faith — Humiliating confession of an errorist 246 No. XLI. — To Miss S . Mr. Wesley's views— The author's habit of mind— Evidence of justification previous to entire sanctifica- tion — Movement of the denominations toward the unity of the faith — Tuesday meeting — A charming sight— Quotations from Wesley — Experience of David — Tlie apostles— A cloud of wit- nesses—Caleb and Joshua — The danger of refusing to go on to perfection 251 No. XLII. — To Mr. C . Profession and practice — The cross — " I will guide thee by mine eye" — Lessons of experience — The im- portance of immediate action in the use of present grace — A temptation not to speak definitely yielded to— Sad effects — Re- proved, but not rejected — Holiness may be forfeited by neglect — A strange testimony— Lingering in duty — Its consequences — Views of personal obUgation 258 No. XLIIL— To Mrs. D . Establishing grace— God's worthies — Few excel — Instability — Unlike God— Let your yea be yea, and your nay nay — The seal of the Spirit — Our Father's testament — Spiritual ambition — Ann Cutler 269 No. XLIV. — To Mrs. E . Disappointment — Our recent inter- view — Sad change — Fault-finding versus prayer — Ministers need encouragement — " Our minister is not popular" — Harmful effects of speaking evil of ministers — A false light — Confession — A stum- bling block—" Touch not mine anointed"— A family regulation with respect to the reputation of ministers . . . 274 No. XLV, — To Mr. K . Solicitude — A twenty years' seeker — The longer and the shorter way — Remarkable experience in the steam cars — A meeting established for the promotion of holiness — How holiness sustains in the hour of trial, exemplified — The differ- ence between willingness and obedience — A quotation from Mr. Wesley 279 No. XLVL— To Miss D . A little child learning to walk— The Divine sympathy proportioned to our feebleness-" I will hold thy right hand" — Shrinkings from duty — " I have ordained you " — Tho weak made strong—" Worldly Christians" ... . 287 No. XLVII. — To Rev. Mr. H . Specified wants— The inference —The great exchange — "Was God unfaithful?" — Mr. II 's statement of his experience- A precise answer to a specific re- 12 CONTENTS. t ;■ t quest —Confession delayed— Witnesses of perfect love needed m the ministry .... .... Page 292 No. XLVIIL— To Mr. C . Impelled to activity by the Word— An enthusiastic doctrine— A nice pomt— Quietism— Abraham plead- ing for Sodom— Moses pleading for Israel— Christ in the person of his saints 208 No. XUX.— To Mrs. . Led by a right way— Domestic cares — A mother's trials— Tests of grace should be welcome— Predic- tions— Trials— Triumphs— Mrs. Susannah Wesley— Daughters of Sarah— The Wesley Family— Influence of American republicanism on American wives— Quotation from Mrs. W 's biography — Apology % . . . 302 No. L.— To Mrs. H . Wandering thoughts — Satanic resistance — A strong testimony in the midst of temptation — Satan defied — God tempted by questionings — A life of faith — The cost counted — Unwavering reliance — Fruits of faith — A precious gem — Short- ness of time — Sudden death contemplated . . . 308 No. LI.— To Rev. Mr. . The children of God are one in interest — Obligations vary according to relationships — Abraham's unheard- of path of duty — Remarkable requisition — Satan's subtilties — Just where liglit meets us— WilUng is not doing— The appearance of evil — A questionable practice cripples faith— Crucifixion of the iiesh required — David's sacrifice— God will help you — An old habit broken ... . . ... 314 No. LII.— To THE Rev. Mr. M — . Can persons who are sincerely pious be deceived? — Satan transforms himself— A visit from a fiend clothed in an angel garb imagined ; he quotes Scripture — How Christ received such a one — Satan loves a shining mark — A sure method of finding him out — The Bible the only chart — Satan may answer petitions presented on wrong premises — Gracious assurances may be coimterfeited 319 No. LIII. — To Mr. L . Witness of holiness lost — Unholy class leaders responsible for lowness of piety in the membership — The faithfulness of God proved when the blessing was lost — A light may be extinguished — Gifts derived from God must be diffused — Necessity of coming back — Promises may not be appropriated until the conditions are met — la what a state of holiness con- sists 325 No. LIV. — To Mrs. J . Responsibility of parents in regard to the salvation of their children — A memorable struggle — The Spirit's intercession — Prayer answered — Parents should resolve on the salvation of their children — Children under sentence of death — A child born of the Spirit — Young converts may be holy — An inte- resting disciple— Remarks of a minister .... 331 No. LV.— To Rev. Mr. U . Of the act of faith— Humiliating per- ceptions— Shrinking? frr-Ti a profession of holiness— The direct path — A ceaseless sacunce — The key which opens the door — What is the act of faith?— Terms of the covenant— Faith, not works, the ground of acceptance— The blessedness of purity— Why do some receive the blessing sooner than others who are equally sincere ?— How example may hinder— How the blessing may be obtained— Tears of desire shed, yet a willingness to be holy not attained . . . .... 339 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS; OR, FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. No. I.— TO MR. M . Mr. M acknovirledges himself unawakened — What is faith!— In- terview with a Hicksite friend — Displeasure incurred — Doings and sayings at a class meeting — An unlikely subject of prayer pre- sented—All tilings possible with God— Mrs. W.'s inquiry — The sinner condemned already — The culprit C ; his agony when under condemnation, the effect of his faith in man — Mr. M not a believer in the Bible as the word of God ; otherwise not unawaken- ed — Indescribable soUcitude — Influential friends cannot save — . Mr. M under condemnation — Why the word of God has not the same effect as a voice from heaven. My Dear Mr. M . You acknowledge yourself unawakened, but in this I think you are in part mistaken. In view of your inquiries after the way of life, I would hardly dare pronounce you wholly unawakened. You would not with so much sin- cerity desire instruction relative to that faith with- out which it is impossible to please God, unless you were in a degree aroused to an interest about your spiritual state. By your inquiry, " What is faith V* I am remind- ed of an interesting incident in my religious history, which in all its bearings is to my mind '^nally il- lustrative of faith and its effects. As you have 14 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTB. A> Hicksite Friend. been religiously trained, and are not unused to re- hearsals of Christian experience, you will know how to appreciate such intermixtures of my own experience as will be helpful toward illustrating the subject. Some time since I invited a Hicksite friend to ac- company me to meeting. You know of Elias Hicks — of his rejection of the atonement, the only foundation of the Christian's hope, and also of his light estimate of the Scriptures, designating them as the dead letter, &c. So you will not be astonish- ed when I say that I could not think of my friend as a follower of Christ. Knowing that she regard- ed herself as a professor of religion, and that any approach to her which failed to recognize her as such might wound her feelings, 1 knew not in what form of expression to give vent to my un- utterable yearnings for her. At length, after a little suspense, I said, " Mrs. , do you not sometimes feel that you would love to torsake all and follow Christ ?*' She gave an evasive answer, and by her manner most clearly indicated that she was displeased. 1^ inding her thus guarded by a religious jyrofession, which, if touched, gave displeasure, I ceased to approach her on the subject of her salvation. About ten montlis after, in admonishing the members of my class, I said, " Too many mistake the mark, by absorbing themselves in their own FRAGMENTS FROM TAY PORTFOLIO. 15 The Covenant. Dismay. own experience, whereas the design of God in redeem- ing us unto himself seems to be this : — ^That we give ourselves at once wholly and for ever away to his service, in order that we may be unto him a pecuhar people, zealous cf good works, not hving to ourselves, as we should do were we ever ab- sorbmg ourselves in perplexities about our own experience. Who would not dismiss a servant that was ever saying, * I have about as much as I can do to serve myself ?* " &c. Several members resolved to come up to the point of entire consecration, that is, to serve Christ wholly : v a then covenanted to- gether to begin at once to work for God. I sug- gested to them to single out some individual, not the most likely, by way of being religiously influ- enced, but the most unlikely y and to interest them- selves, even as for their own souls, in the experience of such, Until we should meet again on the coming week. i Pursuant to the advice I had given, I began to think, Who shall I take to labor for so absorbingly during the week ? when it was suggested, You had better inquire of God. I did so. To my astonish- ment, the individual referred to, with whom my former efforts had seemingly been so fruitless, was presented. For a moment, I turned away with dismay. My thoughts ran thus : — Were the most vile, reckless sinner, suggested, or even a professed mfidel, I might in some way know how to approach 16 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. An Unlikely Case. him with hope of success, but here is one whom I cannot meet with the Bible, for she regards it only as 5ecowc?a/'y authority, neither can I approach her as an acknowledged sinn^^r, for she is wrapped in the cloak of a profession. An " unlikely " case indeed, my heart responded. But this c irrent of thought was arrested by the chidings of the Spirit. The unbelieving lord of Samaria was brought to my remembrance, and I at once said, " Lord, I will not say if thou shouldst open windows in heaven, then might such a thing be, as that this person should be powerfully awakened to a sense of her condition as a sinner. But I will say, ' All things are possible with thee, and all things are possible to him that believeth.* Only teach me how to ap- proach her, and, * behold, here am I.' " It was suggested in return. All you are at present required to do, is to keep her continually before God in prayer. I did so, and most strikingly did God take the work into his own hands. He did not send me to her, but ^le sent her to me. An account of our interview will answer your question. With a countenance which bespoke docility such as I had never before witnessed in her, she entered my room one morning, and said, "Mrs. P , I have heard you speak oi faith, and I should like to have you explam it to me." In return I said, ** " I am speaking to you, Mrs. W -, and you FRAGMENTS FBOM MT FORTFOUO. 17 The Culprit EfTorts of his Friends. case believe me/* She nodded assent. " God hath spoken, and the Bible is his word. Just as truly so, as though you heard him audibly speaking; from heaven, in the voice of mighty thunderings, as from Mount Sinai. God hath said, ' The soul that sinneth, it shall die/ " Now, if the sinner should really believe God, he would see himself already conde7nned ; not to mere temporal death, this were in comparison a light matter, but the condemna- tion passed upon the sinner extends to soul and body, to all eternity. You remember the culprit C . He had violated the laws of his country, and in obedience to those laws the sentence of death was passed upon him by a fellow-man. * < How awful were his feelings while lying under condemnation ! How were the sympathies of the public enlisted in his behalf ! How energetic and ceaseless the efforts of his friends for the removal of this condemnation ! But what is all the untold agony occasioned by this sentence, compared with what the distress of the sinner would be, if he only had as much faith in the word of God as this culprit had in the word of his fellow-man! He would see himself lying under a sentence which might be executed, not two or three months hence, but at any moment, *' in such an hour as he thinks not," — a sentence which extends not only to the poor perishing body, but to the immortal spirit, which, after thousands on thousands of ages have 18 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Mr. M.'s Hazardous Condition. -it , i f. past, will yet have not one day less to exist, where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. I think, my dear Mr. M , you may now ap- prehend the kind of faith which the unawakened sinner is required to exercise. You have been in the habit of thinking that you beheve the word of God. Should I tell you that you but partially believe it, and that you are in part infidel in prin- ciple, you would with abhorrence start from the suggestion, and doubtless would think me unkind. But you sa}^ you are unaivdkened. Could you re- remain so, if you verily believed that the sentence of eternal death had already been passed upon you — a sentence which may be executed even before you lay this paper from your hand ? Other inquiries connected with the awakening of my Hicksite friend weiv, equally interesting and profitable ; but my mind at present is so concerned about your perishing condition, that I cannot con- sent to say more, until you assure me that you are indeed aroused to a conviction of the wrath that abideth upon the sinner. " God out of Christ is a consuming fire." You are out of Christ ! Do you imagine that your condition may not be so awful, so hazardous, as the foregoing conclusions imply ? Ah, my dear Mr. M , the Bible is the book from which, on examination, you will find these conclusions have been legitimately drawn. You say you beheve the Bible. How can you believe FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. IndescribabI ' Solicitude. 19 , where iched. ow ap- akened been in vovd of >artially in prin- om the unkind, you re- tence of nyou — fore you » ning of and ncemed not con- you are *th that irist is a Do you o awful, imply ? he book id these You believe it, and yet regard your condition as one of less peril than the Bible declares it to be ? And now, my dear friend, my feelings for you are those of indescribable solicitude. Shall I apo- logize for this inexpressible concern? No! As well might the friends of the poor culprit C have ceremoniously accosted him thus : " Pardon the interest manifested by us in endeavoring to free )''0u from the sentence which has been passed upon you by the laws of your country ; this sentence we know must inevitably and speedily be executed, only as faint hopes are left that the strength of our influence and most energetic efforts may possibly prevail." But you will remember that neither the respectability nor most energetic efforts of his friends prevailed in his behalf ; they only seemed to increase public indignation. " One with such a training, such associations, &c., ought to have known better," was the response of the popular voice. Just so, I fear with you, dear Mr. M . If the prayerful sympathies and energetic efforts of your deeply pious friends could have been instmmental in the removal of the awful condemnation which now rests upon you, long since would it have been removed. Will the fact of your advantages for religious im- provement stand in mitigation, when at the last it shall be asked, why sentence should not be exe- cuted ? O my dear friend, though circumstances forbid 20 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Bible the Voice of God. my further pleading with you at this time, it re- heves my oppressed heart to know that I may go to my closet, and plead with God for the continued influences of that Spirit, which, alas ! you have so much grieved by your delays. With yet another word of admonition, which I hope you will now take to your closet, I must leave you for the present. You have^ said, ** The time does not seem to have come for me to begin in earnest to seek the Lord." If God should speak audibly from heaven to you, saying, " Now is the accept- ed time; behold, now is the day of salvation:** " To-day if ye will hear my voice, harden not your heart" — would you not conclude that the time' had indeed come for you to begin in earnest? What is the reason that the voice of God, as sound- ing through thf^ Bible, has not the same effect which you imagine a voice pealing from the hea- vens would produce ? Is it not because you do not in heart receive the Bible as the w^ord of God? From what has been said, I think you now ap- prehend something more about "faith and its effects." Yours, with most prayerful solicitude. i-> •>* e, it re- may go ntinued have so another all now for the oes not mest to audibly accept- vation :" not your he time* earnest ? 5 sound- e effect he hea- you do ^ORD OF now ap- and its ide. I FRAGMENTS FROM MT PORTFOLIO. Mr. M— — Inquires the Way, 21 No. II.— TO MR. M . Mr. M. inquires tlie way— Inquiries as to the effect of faith— Evidences of the inbeing of faith— Perilous condition acknowledged — Hard- 'ness of heart confessed and bemoaned — Heart not impenitent — Not required to save ourselves — Sinful to stay away from the Saviour— A letter to a sincere inquirer— Difficulties in the way of salvation — Repentsmce known by its fruit ; a gift from God, and must be acknowledged. To Mr. M c It gives me much satisfaction, my dear friend, to be permitted to address you as one inquiring the way to life. In your letter of in- quiry, the effect of your faith in God is indeed most evident. ' Though you have not yet exercised that faith, through which the unpardoned sinner is justified, yet you must not yield to the suggestion, that you have no faith. Though small in its beginning as a grain of mustard seed, yet let me for your en- couragement say, that clearer demonstration could not be asked than that which your inquiries pre- sent, of the existence and workings of faith in your heart. You say, " I see my perilous state as a sinner already condemned, but I do not ideal- ize my undone condition. I hear others cry out from disquietude of soul ; yet with an unmoved heart, and with tearless eyes, I am myself brooding over my hardness and impenitence." Now, my friend, would you be disposed to be- moan your condition thus, were it not that you be- 22 FAITH AND ITS BFPEOTd. Effect of Faith. Not impenitent. I \] lieve God will verily execute the sentence which he hath pronounced upon you? Here then is the effect of faith thus far : now this is but the first step — the beginning of a life of faith — and if you do not go on you will surely perish. But there are other truths, hich are in immediate connec- tion with those which you have already believed. As you have now begun to believe God, may you, without lingering, take the next step, which I will now endeavor to present to you. Listen ! Your Redeemer and your Saviour is now saying unto you, " Him that cometh unto me I will in no^vise cast out." " But," say you, " have I not just been telling you of my hardness and im- penitence, and can I expect the Saviour to receive me in such an emotionless condition V* You mis- take, in speaking of your heart as impenitent. Im- penitence implies absence of contrition, or sorrow for sin. If you are not sorry for sin, why do you so earnestly inquire the way to the Saviour ? Why do you want salvation from sin ? Is it not because you feel like saying, " I hate the sins wliich made thee mourn 1" Then say no more that you are impenitent. It is indeed sinful to have a hard heart ; but you are not required to save ycccrself from any of your sins. Christ alone can save you, and he now says, " Come unto me." Will you come now ? or will FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 28 hich he is the he first I if you it there connec- )elieve(i. may which I ir is now to me I I, "have and im- > receive rou mis- it. Im- sorrow T do you Why , because Sinful to stay from Cluist. tent. It you are of your ow says, ? or will a^F^f^f^^^^^^^^*^ you wait till you have made yourself worthy, by a longer continuance in groanings and lamentations ? Do you not perceive that you are by this course endeavoring to save yourself m. part, before coming to Christ ? cease these vain endeavors ! Noav come to Jesus : " If you tarry till you 're better, You will never come at all." "Him that cometh unto me I will in nowise cast out." Will you not now comply with the condition, and come to the Saviour ^ws^ as you are ? He will not cast you out. The reasons you urge why you may be rejected, are the very reasons why you should come to the Saviour, and why he desires to save you. He came to save you from your sins ; and is not this state of feeling, v/^hich you urge as a reason why you may not come just now to Christ, sinful ? Can you be saved from this sin till you trust Christ to save you ? It is sinful to stay away from the Saviour, and unless you intend to defer commg to him until you are yet more unworthy, you will come believingly now, assured that he will in nowise cast you out. I have concluded to give you the reading of a letter which was addressed to one whose state of similar very your may who hath not said to the seed of Jacob, " Seek ye my am thy face in vaiU; salvation.** >» say to you speedily, ** Lo, I 24 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Letter. Fruits of Repentance. I TO A SINCERE INQUIRER. My Dear Friend, — You asked me to remember you in prayer. I have indeed been pleading for you, and am fully assured of the willingness of God to bless you with a knowledge of forgiveness and ac- ceptance. Yet I see difficulties in the way of your receiving the desire of your heart. Not that I do not believe you r»re nost earnestly, and sincerely, seeking salvation ; not that you are unwilling to give up the world, and its vanities, and desirous to take upon you the cross of Christ, and come out as a self-denying follower of the Lord Jesus; or that you are not truly penitent. These difficulties in the way of your salvation I believe are removed. ' But I know you are longing to hear what diffi- culties I would suggest. Yet I cannot hope to do much good by stating them, unless you consent to promise before God, that wherein you may see your error, you will in the strength of Jesus exer- cise that holy violence which the kingdom of hea- ven suffereth, relative to the removal of these dif- ficulties. 1st. You say you cannot feel that you have re- jyentance, and you give this as one reason why you cannot noio come to Christ. What does this turn- ing away from tlie vanities of the world mean? What this resolute looking Zion-ward? This coming out as a seeker of salvation ? have you never felt it to be your duty to join the church ?" With a de- cision of manner, which told just were his tvill was strongly fixed, he replied, " That I will never do, until I know I have religion ; for there are back- sliders enough in the church now." " This/* said I, " is just what I believe you will o-night, eel that "Yes," in that art, and )w, you )e found heart." ition oc- felt the ered all illing to unequi- ,s to be )f much sincere, lis state, evening light, in emed to e of the ever felt ith a de- ivill was ever do, re back- you will FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. S3 Joins the Church. "Give ine thy Heart." liavc to do, before you get tlie witness of your ac- ceptance. Yes, you will have to do it ; and then trust the Lord to keep you. To do otherwise im- plies a distrustfuhiess which must be displeasing to God," I added. The next night he came out under circumstances of unusual publicity, and said, "Such and such were my views, but now I have made up my mind to unite with the church." This was on Saturday night, and on Sunday morning, Jesus, the resur- rection and the life, raised his soul to the most joyful assurance of renovated nature, even the enjoyment of a life of faith on the Son of God. A variety of cases might be given, illustrative of the ffiithfuln^ss of God, and of the effects re- sulting from faith and obedience ; but I must close with the relation of one which, I hope, may hp suited to your case : — An individual, after various expedients in read- ing, fasting, and praying, at length came to the conclusion that it was too late for him to seek sal- vation ; that he had sinned beyond the limits of mercy. While in heaviness he was thus reflecting upon his sins, the text, *' My son, give me thine heart," came to his mind. Can it be, thought he, that God makes such a requisition of me as this ? He knows what a heart T have, how hard, how polluted, how unfit for life or for death ; and yet he says, " Give me thine heart." What can he 34 FAITH AND ITS KFFEC'IS. m A Heart given to Christ. want of my heai*t ? He wants to make it good ; to cremate it anew ; to wash it in the blood of Jesus, and to make it a temple meet for the residence of Ills Spiiit. ** I dropped my flail," said he, (for lie was in his barn at work,) " and prostrating myself upon the straw, I said, * O Lord, if thou canst ac- cept of such a heart as mine, here it is. I give myself to thee just as I am, a poor, vile sinner.* " Instantly he was saved ; and so wonderful did the plan of salvation now appear to him — so new, so suited to the condition of the lost — that it seemed as if all his life had been spent in the dark ; and he was affected to tears, that no one had ever thus explained to him the way of salvation. Yours, in Chnstian love. No. IV.— TO MR. M . Sincerity and earnestness not sufficient to insure salvation— An illustration of how faith is tlie gift of God — IIow to sliow fruit meet for repentance — An error in presenting petitions for awaken- ed persons— Lad on tlie roof of a building ; he is saved — The man near a cataract ; not saved by doing nothing. To MY Friend Mr. M . " By faith I lay my hand On that dear head of thine, While like the penitent I stand, And there confess my sin." that you might thus see all your sins on Jesus laid I It does seem to me, that all vou now need FltA(;MENTS FROM MY rOKTFOUO. 35 Appropriiiliiig Faith. Illustration. )od; to f Jesus, encc of (for he ; myself anst ac- I give inner. i did the new, so ; seemed irk; and ?-ver thus love. vation— An show fruit for awaken- l— The man on Jesus How need is the exercise of simple faith ; that faith which appropriates the merits of your Saviour to your own case. If sincerity, earnestness, or a willing- ness to come out and confess Christ before men, were sufficient to bring you into the enjoyment of the favor of God, without appropriating faith, such had been your happiness now. Though, without these, your efforts to exercise faith would be un- availing ; yet these, though most fully developed, would utterly fail in securing the object without faith. But you ask, '* Is not faith the gift of God ? and can I have it, unless it be given me from above?" No! "Every good and perfect gift cometh down from the Father of lights.'* But does not God give you the faith now required ? He is not a hard Master. The command, " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," would be unreasonable, unless the power to be obedient were given with the command. Imagine that you were embarrassed with pecu- niary liabilities, hopelessly beyond your resources. Now suppose you have a friend of unbounded reputation and wealth. His name commands uni- versal confidence ; his uniform bearing toward you has been that of benevolence and love ; he hoars of your distress, and writes you word, " I have taken your liabilities upon myself. I knew of your inability to pay ; I have therefore paid the debts contracted : and now I am not merely willing 36 FAITH AND ITS EBTECTS. Sinfulness of Unbolief. -■ •^rf^ 'V /%. ^k^lrf V ^ # that you should reckon yourself free, but it is my plcjisure that you should do so noin. My name lias already gone forth in promise to relieve all those alike distressed with yourself, who may J^pply to me, and the honor of my name requires that your acknowledgment of ray faithfulness in fulfill- ing my word be at once made before the world." I need not make the application ; you cannot dishonor your Saviour more, than by doubting whether he will fulfill his promises. His name is Faithful and True. how sinful must a dis- trustfulness, whether he will iioiv fulfill hi,3 pro- mises, appear in his sight, when he hath said, " Now is "the accepted time ; behold, noio is the day of salvation. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and amen, unto the glory of God." The Saviour is now looking upon you with an eye of infinite love, longing to fulfill his promises to you ; but he cannot bless you In your unbelief. It is inconsistent with the principles upon Avhich the government of his kingdom is established ; unbe- lief is a sin, and you must renounce it; for the Saviour came to save you from your sins, not in your sins. The best way to show fruits meet for repent- ance, is to pursue a course directly opposed to that which is now lamented. I have known persons to mourn over the sin of unbelief most piteously for months, and even years, and yet not renounce it. I FKAGMENTS FROM MY TORTFOLIO. 37 Error in Prayer. A Fall. , IS my f name eve all y apply •OS that I fulfill- world.'* cannot oubtinff name is t a dis- 113 pro- tli said, V is the God in f God." an eye nises to ief. It lich the ; unbe- for the , not in repent- l to that rsons to |)uslv for Dunce it. Does this exhibit to the eye of God fruit meet for repentance ? To the eye of man, this course may indicate repentance, and his petitions to God in be- half of the supphant may be drawn from conchi- sions thus begotten. Thus it is that we not imfre- (|uently hear petitions, framed in words Avhich im- ply that the delay is on the part of God, as though the sinner were all ready for the reception of the blessing, and only waiting for God to be- come willing to bestow it. Approachmg God thus in behalf of the awakened sinner, I conceive to be an error of great magnitude ; its eftect on the mind of that sinner is necessarily disastrous, inasmuch as it removes the cause of delay from himself, and casts it upon God : and how insulting is such a petition to that God who ever stands, with extended arms, calling upon the sinner, saying, '■' Come, for all things are now ready !" I remember, my dear Mr. M , once to have met an illustration of faith, which I think may be helpful to you. The relater gives it thus : — " I once saw a lad on the roof of a very high building, where several men were at work. He was gazing about with apparent unconcern, when suddenly his foot slipped, and he fell. In falling he caught by a rope, and hung suspended in mid air, where he could neither get up nor down, and where it was evident he could sustain himself but a short time. He perfectly knew his situation, and ex- 38 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. ^5 i The Rescue. Drop your Oars. pected in a few minutes to be dashed on the rocks below. At this moment a kind and powerful man rushed out of the house, and, standing beneath liim with extended anus, called out, * Let go of the rope ; I will recei^'e you. I can do it. Let go of the rope, and I promise you shall escape un- harmed.' The boy hesitated for a moment, and then, quitting his hold, dropped easily and safely into the arms of his deliverer." Here is an illustra- tion of faith ; here is a simple act of faith. The poor boy knew his danger ; he saw his deliverer, xnd heard his voice. He believed in him — trusted him — and, letting go every other dependence and hope, he dropped into his arms. Do you feel that you have done all j^ou can ? Let, me take the language of another, and say, " Just stop doinf/j and begin t-o trust Christ to do all for yoUy and you arc safe. A man is rowing a boat on a river, just above a dreadful cataract ; the current begins to bear him downward ; the spectators give him up for lost. *He is gone,* they exclaim ; but in another moment a rope is tlirown toward tlie wretched man — it strikes the water near the boat: imw how does the case stand ? Do all the spectators call upon him to row ? to trij liardcr to reach the shore, when with every stroke of his arm the boat is evidently Rearing the falls ? O no ! the eager and united cry is, * Drop your oars ! give up your desperate FRAGMENTS FROM MY f UllTFOLIO. f.9 e rocks ful man beneath of the 3t go of ipe un- mt, and (1 safely illustra- f faith. eUverer, -trusted nee and ou can ? nd say, 1st to do owing a ataract ; rd ; the gone/ rope is ikes the he case him to len with vidcntly 1 united esperatc Seize the Rope. attempt ! take hold of the rope /' But he chooses to row, and in a few moments he disappears, and perishes. All his hope lay, not in rowing, but in laying hold of the rope ; for while he was rowing he could not grasp the rope. So the sinner's hope Hes not in struggling to save himself, but in ceasing to struggle ; for while he expects to ac- complish the work of salvation himself, he will not look to Christ to do it for him." But some abuse this doctrine of unmerited grace, and say, " If all I have to do is to cease from at- tempting to save myself, and to be willing that Christ should do the work of my salvation, why urge me to become a Christian, or to do any- thing ? why not let me sit still, and wait till Christ shall come and pardon me ?'* And what if the man in the boat had dropped his oars, and then folded his hands, and waited for the rope to save him? He might as well have died rowing as sitting still ; and would as certainly have died in the latter as in the former case. But he must qrasp tlie rope. So the sinner must lay hold of the hope set before him ; not by waiting till he is better, but by first concluding that he never shall be any better in the way he is going on, and then lookiiig to Christ. May I not believe that ^(m are now trusting vour all in the hands of vour y y Saviour ? I do not say that I hope you luere doing it a few moments since, but that you are 'Uow doing were now 40 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Why did I not believe before ? it. O that this may be the work of every suc- ceeding moment, mitil I hear from you. " Venture on him, venture freely, Let no other trust intrude ; None but Jesus Can do helpless sinners good." Your much interested friend. Nc. V.—TO MR. M-: — . A matter of surprise with Mr. M- Reasons for delay wholly with the creature — Sing^ular case of a lady where conviction followed conversion — Late Rev. S. M. relates a similar case— (Jod ever meets us on the ground of his word — How to keep a new heart- - . Prog-ression required — The Riblo ; its excellence — The scheme of salvation conditional. To MY Happy Buotiier in Christ, Mr. M . "Why did I not before venture on tlie Saviour?" you exclaim. Just so hundreds liavc with amazement asked before you. But the unrene-sved mind can- not form proper perceptions of the power of faith. In reference to every stage of experience it may be said, " If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine." In complying with the condi- tion, " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," you have been brought to a blessed knowledge of the doctrine of justification by faith. Such effects must of necessity follow such acts of obt'dicnce and faith. I say must of necemty follow, because the principles by which the kingdom of grace is governed are unchangeable. FRAGMENTS FROM MY TORTFOLIO. 41 Christ always ready. RemarkSble Instance. ry sue- 1(1. holly with 1 followed (Jod ever :v heart- - scheme of M . r?"vou izement nd can- )f faith. may be 11 know condi- d thou blessed )y faith. acts of f follow, dom of 1 I The reason why 3^011 were not before blessed, you now perceive, was not because God was lui- willing to meet you, but wholly from delay on your part in complying with the conditions upon Avhich you were to be received. The moment you complied with these, you found the Lord. Thus it is that the Saviour ever stands waiting- to save the siimer, and from no cause will he ever withhold salvation one moment after the sinner has complied with the conditions of salvation. I have known some instances peculiarly illustra- tive of ihe fact, that God ever meets us thus, on the ground of his word. One is that of a lady whose solidity of Cliristian character is well known and appieciated. For one whose birth had been in a Christian land, she was surprisingly ignorant of her accountability to God. She had not been in the habit of readino: the Bible, nor attendintc public worship ; neither had she mingled with pious associates ; and thus all her early years were spent, having no hope, and without God in the world. She fell in the way of a devoted Christian, who told her of the claims of her Redeemer. Her heart seemed at once won, with a view of his great love in dying to save her, and she quickly renounced the world, and gave her heart to God. Immedi- ately she was made happy in the enjoyment of the Saviour's love. This sudden transition astonished her friends, as they had heard so little about her 42 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Painful View of Sin after Conversion. convictions for sin. But the fruits of conversion were so evident, that the most skeptical could not doubt the reality of the change. In relating her experience some time afterward, slie informed me, that she in reality had few of those deeply distressing perceptions of guilt spoken of by many p^^evious to her conversion. Slie felt, indeed, that she needed a Saviour, and was told that Jesus received sinners. In accordance with what was told her, she verily believed that all the Lord required of her was to give up herself, as a sinner, into his hands. She at once believed, and according to her faith it was done unto her. After- ward, as she became better able to bear the view, the guilt of her former life, with powerful convictions of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and of the wrath awaiting her, had not the Saviour, " his OAvn self, borne her sins in his own body on the tree," so appeared to her, that nature could scarce endure the sight. How this view endeared the Saviour to her, you can now form some conception. Another case was related to me by that eminent minister, the late Rev. S. Merwin. It occurred where he was laboring, and I think under his own eye. The brothers of a certain young lady had been converted, but she as yet had resisted the influ- ences of the Holy Spirit. One evenhig she ac- companied some of lier gay friends to a singing school., and on her return stopped at a meeting FRAGMENTS FROM MY TORTFOUO, 43 >«.^* .•»» Hiris- V rares, liking ^ased says te of I justification was of course lost. Tliese derelictions continued, would soon end in the loss of adoption also, and the soul be cast off as a withered branch. I would not accuse such of intentional insincerity ; but surely this mistake of calling a blessing by a name which the state of the individual professing it contradicts, tells disastrously upon the interests of experimental piety in the church. You will now see that the condition upon which a state of justification is retained, is, that you " walk after the Spirit." Walking implies going forward. By your surrender to God the foundation of your Christian character has been laid. The principles of the doctrine of Christ have now been learned. But do you stop here ? No ! A 5 well might the child who has learned his alphabet say, " I have finished my education." It is true that many, very many, do stop at this point ; and here was the error of our young friend, whoi«e erratic cou^.-e told so grievously on the cause of God : and more or less so will be the course of all who do not steadily purpose to ** leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ, and go on unto perfection." Do not imagine that you -can retain the stnfv. in crfection is attainable is most evi- dent, and is proven upon the same premises. The apostle, in continuation of what I have already quoted, goes on to say, " Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, b^ thus minded ;" including, as you observe, both hhpself and a part of those addressed as being in a stave of perfection. I am the more particular in speaking of this subject, because it is not uncommon for those who oppose the doctrine of Christian perfection to refer to this passage. Just the state of perfection aimed at in these passages (Phil, iii, 8-15) is what I would now urge upon you: that is, a state of perfection which requires progression — a state which could not even be retained, without obedience to "this one thing — forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which f>re be- fore." The perfection to which your attention is urged, does not imply perfection in knowledge or light, but a state of supreme love to God, where all the powers of body and mind are perfectly sub- ject to love's control, and ceaselessly offered up to God tkrour/h Christ. This is Cliristian perfection ; not angelic perfection, neither Adamic perfection, but Christian perfection. To think disparagingly of Christian perfection, implies, to my mind, think- FRAGMENTS FROM MY POIITFOLIO. 53 Unbelief Sinful. Question answered. Dtural 11 not But 5t evi- The ready many LS you ressed 5 more 3e it is )ctrine re, these i now ection could this )ehind re be- ion is Ige or where T sub- up to ction ; ction, singly think- ing lightly of the atonement. To undervalue the efficacy of the blood of Christ to cleanse is sinful. And it would be sinful to doubt whether the offer- ing presented to God, through Christ, is holy and acceptable. What you need, in order to bring you into this state, is an offering up of yourself through this purifying medium. Now do you still ask, How soon may I expect to arrive at this state of per- fection? Just so soon as you come believingly, and make the required sacrifice, it will be done unto you according to your faith. Christ came to take away our sin, to destroy the works of the devil, and to purge us from all iniquity. The pur- pose of man's redemption is not accomplished imtil he is presented perfect in Christ Jesus. When the Saviour said, " It is finished !" then this full salva- tion was wrought out for you. All that remains is for you to come complying with the conditions, and claim it. As it has been purchased for you, it is already yours. If you do not now receive it, the delay will not be on the part of God, but wholly with yourself. Yours, truly. 51 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Privilege of the Young Convert. h-^ ,!■ Ill I- 1 nv !."• No. VIII.— TO MR. M . Inquiries relative to the length of time intervening between a state of justification and entire sanctification— Mr. Wesley's views on the subject— How Ijackslidings might be less frequent— Another inquiry from my Ilicksite friend— Unreasonable not to be holy— How unholy professors encourage skepticism— The case of a young man whoso friends were professing Christians— Salvation from all sin may be obtained now — How a housekeeper obtained it. Dear Brother M . ** But do not persons gene- rally wait months, and even years, after justifica- tion, before they are brought into this state of en- tire sanctification ?" Mr. Wesley, in speaking on this subject, says, *' This we know : but we know likewise, t^iat God may, with man's good leave, ' cut short his Avork ' in whatever degree he pleases, and do the work of many years in a moment. He does so in many instances.'* If believers from the hour of their justification, with all the ardor of early unquenched love, should walk after the Spirit, how soon would they be ushered into the highway of holiness ! Would that this duty were simplified, and urged with point and power upon young professors ! Then would backslidings in heart and life be far less frequent. If the way is so plain, that Avay faring men, tliough fools, shall not err therein, young converts surely may be brought to understand it. The truth is, the difticulties are not attributable to the intricacies of the subject, but to the want of FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 55 Conversation. Sanctificalion. Wliat is it T He Itiring simplicity. We do not need great powers of mind to reach it, but deep humility of spii'it to come down to it. I am again reminded of my Hicksite friend. In continuation of the conversation referred to when I first wrote you, she asked another question, al- most as important in bearing as her first inquiry, which will illustrate what I would say on the mo- mentous subject before us. As soon as I had an- swered her first question, ** What is faith ?" she said, "I have heard you speak of sanctification, and now I should love to have you explain that to me." My mind for a moment recoiled, and I thought. She does not yet understand the princi- ples of the doctrine of Christ, and now, how can she be brought to understand the deeper things of God? I looked to the Lord to help nie to sim- plify the matter, and then said, *' If you should purchase an article from me, you would expect to have it whole, entire, just as you bought it, would you not?" ** Yes." " If I should keep back any part, it would bo unreasonable, would it not ?" " Yes." " M^ell, the Bible says, * Yc are not your own, ye are houyht with a price, therefore glorify God in your body and spirit, which arc God's.' Now, when we acknowledge the claim which God has upon us by the right of redemption, and set our- selves wholly npart for his service, he sets Ihe se»\l 56 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Infidelity promoted by Professors. n V upon us which proclaims us his, and wc are sancti- fied — set apart for God." Wliile I was thus endeavoring to simphfy the subject to her, it was suggested. What will she tliink of those professors whom she has heard from week to week say, " I know I am not wholly given up to God : I know there are things in my heart contrary to his will ?'* Will she not regard the unreasonableness of such professors in a light which will make their course inexplicable to her, and will not their evident inconsistency destroy her confidence in all religious professions ? And just so inexplicable doubtless is a half- hearted service in the eye of tlie world. tlie harm thus inflicted on the cause of Christ ! It is only to the degree that God's people are a peculiar people, Ztulous of good works, tliat the mterests of the Redeemer's kingdom can be promoted, through their instrumentality. I have but little doubt that unawakened persons often cherish the idea that professors do not really believe wliat they profess to believe. I had been urging the necessity of an immediate turning to the Lord, and setting forth the danger of a moment's delay, upon a sinner. I told him, as you will remember I once told you, that the sinner is condemned al- ready, and that the sentence might be executed at any moment, with other trutlis equally startling. He was much moved, and seemed about to yield FRAGMENTS FROM MV I'ORTFOLIO. 51 Unfaithful Relatives. rympatliy with Christ. half- the It is culiar erests loted, little h the what the and iipoQ 3cr I d al- ed at tling. vit'ld to the force of truth, when, as if he had just thought of something to strengthen his unbelief, he said, ** I have a brother who is a minister, also sisters who are members of the church, and they have never talked to me in this way ; and I ai>^ sure if they thought my state so dangerous as you say it is, they would tell me of it, for if I thought that either of them were m such a state, I could not rest day nor night without warning them.'* Satan succeeded apparently with this well-circumstanced temptation in rendering his n^fld yet more imper- vious to the awakening influences of the Spirit, and, for aught I know, he is already doomed to ever- lasting burnings. At whose hand may God require his blood ? Let me still urge you, dear brother M m "View of the perishing around you — your relatives and friends — who are fast passing away, to seek with earnestness to know what it is to have a perfect sympathy with the heart of Chiist, in that love which induced him to die for a lost world. " Let that mind be in you which was in Christ." This is HOLINESS. If you have that mind which was in your Saviour, it will induce you to feel and to act just as your Redeemer would have felt and acted were he placed in circumstances similar to your own. You need this conformity to the divine image at the present hour, if you would be clear of the blood of all men. Perhaps the next hour 58 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. A Wife and Mother amid her Cares. I may witness you in the society of some poor sin- ner who is already condemned, and unless you are all given up to Christ and have the power of his Spirit resting upon you, you may fail in giving him such a warning as his condition requires, and another hour may witness either his sentence ex- ecuted, or you called to give an account of your stewardship. But you may have this full salvation now — just now. Let me give you the experience of a friend who received it under less favorable circumstances than those by which you are surrounded. I had spent the evening previous in company with her and other friends, and had especially urged upon her tiie duty of a present and entire reliance on Christ for salvation. But though she had com- menced the evening with large expectations, she was still unwilhng to make the venture just now. The next morning she waked later than usual. She was both a mother and a housekeeper, and everything seemed to shape toward a commo- tion. Husband^s breakfast must be ready at an early hour — children both crying at once — no help, etc. " How well it was that you did not get the blessing last night, for if you had, you surely would have lost it amid these commotions this morning," suggested the enemy. Before being aware of the current her thoughts were taking, she began to ronirratulato lierself rather than othervnse that such ^i FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 69 Jesus saves her. Duties light. Praise. »» had not been the case, when this cuiTent was sud- denly arrested by the chidings of the Holy Spirit. " You need the blessing of holiness this morning to keep you ; for if you yield to this influence which is now brought to bear upon you, you will sin — and will you sin against God ?'* The idea of thus knowingly grieving her Saviour was most abhorrent to her heart, and she said ; " No, I will not sin ; I will this moment trust in Christ to save me from sin 1" That moment she trusted, and felt that she was saved ! She continued to trust, moment after moment, and continued ta.feel the power of Christ to save, and greatly did her heart rejoice in the kno'vledge of salvation. How sweetly was her heart noAV assured of the words, " Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is staid on thee, because he trusteth in tJieeT* "Domestic duties never seemed so light and pleasant as they did that morning," she remarked ; and she longed to get where she might pour out her soul alone in praises to God for salvation from all sin. And now, my beloved brother M , may you speedily be brought to an experimental knowledge of Christ, as your " Redeemer from all sin.'* My heart is inexpressibly desirous that you should fix your aim on knowing the full power of saving grace. May you now, in the strength of the Lord Jehovah, deliberately purpose that every motive of earthly ambition shall know no higher point 60 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Holiness a Duty. Not optional. than that of standing perfect and complete in all the will of God. " This is the will of God, even your sanctijicationy What can be more explicit, or more clearly exhibit your privilege, or more forcibly present your duty, than this declaration ! Yes, it is not only your privilege, but your solemn duty, to be holy. God commands, " Be ye holy." Surely it is not optional with my dear brother whether he will obey this command or not. My great solicitude for your rapid progress in the divine life has induced me to gather from my portfolio several communications, which I hope may be helpful toward elucidating the principles,' experience, and practice of holiness. Universal, symmetrica! holiness, should be the first and ab- sorbing aim of all who name the name of Christ ; and that the papers which I now submit to your perusal may throw some light upon the heaven- ward way of my brother in Christ, shall be the prayer of Your ever devoted sister in the Lord. ti FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. CI An Apology. Experience improved. »> rd. No. IX.— TO MRS. W . An apolog)"^ — Fruits of holiness partially enjoyed — Work of the Spirit, and tenderness of conscience at an early age — Regret — DiUlculties — The cost counted — Activity required — Intense breathings — A wrong standard of experience — A darling object —Great things aniicipated. Dear Mrs. W- —. You will be surprised on receiving a communication so long after my pro- mise, and I question whether I shall be able to furnish such an apology as will render my long silence excusable. Scarcely a day passed, for a month or two after my return from B , but my thoughts recurred to the pleasure I enjoyed in your society, and the remembrance of my unful- filled promise as often caused me much imeasi- ness. When I tell you the reason of my delay, 1 trust you will rather rejoice with me than accuse me of remissness. There has been a great im- provement in my religious experience, as the re- sult of a decision made at that time, that my un- divided purpose should be the attainment of the witness of entire holiness. Previous to this I had, in a degree, partaken of the fruits of holiness : my mind reverts to some sweet assurances that I was not without a measure of its blessed enjoyment while on the road to Baltimore and Washington. I am not sure but , '■■ », '■■ - ■ ! !g-*-*'«Ht--=-i 62 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Early Reminiscences. that the love which casteth out all fear then had possession of my heart. Yes, I think I ■^^ as then enabled to " reckon myself dead indeed unto sin, and alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord." But I did not, at that time, habitually en- joy that abiding, lively consciousness of the seal of consecration on all my powers, which for some months past I have enjoyed in the rich plenitude of its blessedness. how I love to exhibit to the lovers of my adorable Jesus the riches of his grace, as mani- fested toward me, without money or price ! I am sure, if you but knew how unworthy I have been, how disobedient in former time to the heavenly vision, you would wonder, even to amazement, at the riches of grace. That this may be the favor- able result — yes, to furnish yourself and your be- loved husband with new motives for adoring grati- tude — I will proceed to present the more prominent portions of my experience in the things of God from my infancy ; for from that early period I trace his hand leading nie to himself. My parents, prior to my being intrusted to them, were rather devotedly pious. I was there- fore early instructed in experimental religion. Of the necessity of its affecting my life, and even in minute things inducing a change of conduct, I was in the morning of my existence aware. I shall never forget the intense anguish I suffered in i I /^/S^^>>v'«/-> «.^^S./«b FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOUO. Scrupulousness. Regeneration. 63 1 had then ;0 sin, t our ly en- eal of some tiitude of my mani- I am I been, ivenly nt, at favor- ur be- grati- ninent ' God iod I jd to Ithere- Of ^en in ^ct, I re. I Ired in consequence of telling an untruth, when but about three and a half years old. Tliis extreme sensitiveness, as to moral and reli- gious obligation, grew up with me ; so much so, that I was sometimes smiled at for my well-inten- tioned scrupulousness, and at other times almost censured for carrying it to a troublesome excess. I then regarded refuge in God as the safe sanctu- ary for the recital of the little grievances incident to childhood. Thanks be to God that the matu- rer knowledge of later years has never erased the principles thus early cherished by the operation of the Holy Spiiit, and pious parental solicitude. Would that from these early drawings of the Father it had been my ceaseless endeavor to fol- low the Lord fully • how much more gloriously had I, ere this, been led on by the Spirit of holiness to- ward the attainment of that fullness of stature in Christ Jesus, for which my soul now eagerly waits ! But Jesus forgives; y3s, he forgives freely ! Hal- lelujah to his excellent name ! But, to proceed. It has been my opinion, from the survey of subsequent experience, that I, from this early age, enjoyed a low measure of regene- rating grace, though, for much of the time, not precisely conscious of my state before God. How often have I labored to bring myself into a state of extreme anguish before God, and wept because of the failure ! imagining if I could only bring ■ } 64 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. r< Unsteady Faith. Unwise Propensity. '*-, myself to feel the burden of sin upon my con- science, to the degree which I have heard others express, that I could then easily come to God, Avitli the expectation of obtaining the witness of justification. Tlie state of my mind for years, as nearly as I can express it, was this: — I had rather a belief that I was a child of God ; yet I had not enough of the spirit of adoption to cry with unwavering confidence, " Abba, Father." how often did I feel a longing thirst for holiness, conscious that no- thing less could supply my need ! Yet this seem- ingly impassable barrier was ever present, to stay my onward progress, " You arc not yet clear in justification." In the strength of faith I many times endeavored to surmount this difficulty, by looking at the reasonableness of the requirement of holiness, believing that Christ had purchased full salvation for me, and as it was already my pur- chased inheritance, the sooner I entered into the enjoyment of it, the more I should glorify the Purchaser, by being made a witness of his power to save unto the uttermost. And thus at times my fnith became almost victorious ; and doubtless would soon have triumphed, had I only held fast the beginning of my confidence steadfast imto the end ; yet my proneness to reason, and also the unwise propensity I had of measuring my experi- ence by what I imagined the experience of others, ^1 FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 65 con- thers God, ;ss of ' as I belief lOUgh leering did I at no- seem- o stay- ear in many y» by ent of A full pur- Ito the [y the rer to is my Ibtlcss fast to the to the Ixperi- jthers, Little Progress. A Resolve. Activity required. gave the enemy advantage over me ; so, as fre- quently as I arose in the majesty of fiiith to. go forward, he threw me again on my former ground. Thus I continued to rise and fall, and conse- quently made but little progress in the way to heaven, until the early part of last June, when, in the strength of Omnipotence, I resolutely deter- mined that I would set myself apart wholly for God, fully purposed that my ceaseless aim should thenceforth be the entire devotion of all ray powers to the service of my Redeemer. This, through grace, I then more deliberately decided upon than at any former period. I calmly counted the cost, which I felt would be the sur- lender of my own will in all things. I then took, as the motto for my future guidance, and tlie sole principle of every subsequent effort, entire devotion of my heart mid life to God. To this one object, I resolved that every earthly consideration should be subservient, fully purposed that all ordinary pursuits should cease to be absorbing, till the wit- ness was obtained, that the offering was accepted and scaled. You are aware that I have been accustomed to devote a portion of my time to writing, but I now felt that I could proceed no further in any ordi- nary pursuit. I apprehended in yet clearer light, that God required activity in his service, and an intense desire was imparted to glorify his name ; ^! 66 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Helplessness. Tests of Divine Relationship. but such a deep, piercing sense of my helplessness prevailed, that it seemed as though I could not go forward until endued with power from on high. Yet, notwithstanding this, hope gathered strength, while the whisperings of the Spirit seemed to say, " Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." Yet these convictions were not accompanied with those high-wrought feelings, or that distress of spirit, which I had heard some speak of, as given preparatory to receiving purity, and which I had thought indispensable ; few, perhaps, may more emphatically say, that they were led by a way they knew not. From the time I made the resolve to be wholly devoted to the service of Christ, I began to feel momentarily that I was being built up and estab- lished in grace : humility, faith, and love, and all the fruits of the Spirit, seemed hourly maturing : such was the ardor of my spirit, and the living in- tensity of its fervor, that in the night season, though my body partook of repose sufficient for the refreshment of nature, my spirit seemed contin- ue lly awake in communmgs with God, and in breathings after his fullness. Peraaps I should have said, that, previous to these exercises, I had resolved on taking the word of God, and simply trying myself by its tests of a new creature, determined to abide by its decisions, without regard to my particular emotions ; assured "4 1 1 FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 67 A Fault. Witness of the Spirit obtained. sncss ot go high, ngth, ) sav, iord." L with ess of given I had more \ way ivhoUy to feel estab- nd all liiring : |ng in- ^eason, for the 5ontin- iiid in »as to word Its of a jisions, Issurcd that there is no positive standard for feeling, in the Scriptures. Yet, upon reviewing my slow progress, I cannot but regard the fault of taking the feelings and experience of others as a stand- ard for my own, in place of going to the word of the Lord, as having been my greatest hinderance. I now took this portion of divine truth : " As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." I soon found, by the light of the Spirit, that I had conclusive evidence of my adoption. As I had resolved that I would abide by tlie decisions of Scripture, the Holy Spirit did not leave himself without a witness in my heart. Quietness and assurance now took possession of my breast, and an undisturbed resting on the promises became my heritage. After this resolve on entire devotion of heart and life to God, my breathings for divine con- formity became more satisfactory. The appeal to my understanding seemed to say, *' God is all in all ;" yet my heart did not fully attest the witness. One exercise which I then commenced, and have since continued with increasing benefit, I will mention *. — It was that of making daily , in form and in the most solemn manner, a dedication of all the powers of body and soul, time, talents, and influence, to God. Thus I continued to enjoy increasing happiness iu God, but not yet perfectly satisfied iis to the ■riWiMfcMMMM MI*>iS*irniHi'<1 1 C8 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. A Beloved Object. Surrender contemplated. witness — the indubitable seal of consecration. I was kept in constant expectation of the blessing. July 26. On the morning of this day, while with most grateful emotions remembering the way by which my heavenly Father had led me, my thoughts rested more especially upon the beloved one whom God had given to be the partner of my life. How truly a gift from God, and how essentially connected with my spiritual, as also my temporal happiness, is this one dear object ! I exclaimed. Scarcely had these suggestions passed, when with keenness these inquiries were suggested : ** Have you not professedly given up all for Christ ? If he who now so truly absorbs your aflections were required, would you not shrink from the demand ?'* I need not say that this one dear ob- ject, though often in name surrendered, was not in reality given up. My precious little ones, whom God had taken to himself, were then brought to my recollection, as if to admonish me relative to making the sacrifice. I thought how fondly I had idolized them. He who had said, " I the Lord your God am a jealous God," saw the idolatry, of my heart, and took them to himself. The remem- brance of how decidedly I had, by these repeated bereavements, been assured that He whose right it is to reign, would be the sole sovereign of my heart, assisted me in the resolve, that neither slioidd this, the yet dearer object, be withheld. H FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 69 Difficulties surmounted. Great Expectations. The remainder of the day, until toward evening, was unexpectedly spent from home. The evening I had resolved to spend in supplication. So in- tense was my desire for the seal of the Spirit, tliat I made up my mind I would not cease to plead until it were given. Thoughts were presented as to risk of health, &c. ; but my spirit surmounted every discouraging insinuation. Thus fixed in pur- pose, I, in the firmness of faith, entered as a supphant into the presence of the Lord. As if preparatory to a long exercise, I thought. Let me begin just right ; and though I have heretofore entered into covenant with God, let me now par- ticularize, and enter into an everlasting covenant, which shall in all things be well ordered and sure. I imagined some extraordinary exercise, such as an unusual struggle, or a desperate venture of faith, &c., preparatory to the realization of my desire, saying in my heart, though hardly aware of it, that some great thing must surely be wrought. But how God works in order to hide pride from man, I will endeavor to show you in my next. Yours in the bonds of love. my ould imi»aiMriMmi— Bfl— liWBa, 'j, 70 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Eternal Obligation. Retrospection. No. X.— TO MRS. W- A sacrifice contemplated — The Surrender is made — The seal of con- secration enstamped — Apprehends a state of holiness — Exults in the knowledge of the sanctification of body, soul, and spirit- Scruples removed — Christ all in all. My Dear Mrs. W — . I left you in my last endeavoring to lay hold on the terms of the cove- nant, — fixed in purpose, — surrendering myself in the bonds of an everlasting obligation to God. I began to particularize. The thoughts and exercises of the morning occurred again with yet greater power. Can God be about to take from me this one dear object, for which life is principally desirable ? thought I. Looking into the future, I said, " What a blank !'* Never before had I real- ized, that the very fibres of my existence were so closely interwoven with his. My impression was, that the Lord was about to take my precious hus- band from me. The inquiry with me was, whe- ther it were possible that my heavenly Father could require me to make the surrender, when he had autliorized my love, by making it my duty to be of one heart and soul with him. But grace interposed ; and from more mature consideration, I was led to regard it as extraordinary condescen- sion in God tlius to apprise me of his designs, by way of preparing my heart for the surrender. With Abraham I said, " I have lifted my hand FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. '71 Obligations not appreliended. Set f>^art. to the Lord. ' In word, I had again and again made the sacrifice before, and said, " My husband and child I surrender to thee." I had not been insincere, but I now saw that I had not in fact done that which, in word, had often been named. Far, indeed, had I been from realizing the depth of obligation which, in word, I had taken upon myself. Truth in the inward part I now in verity appre- hended as God's requirement. Grace triumphed. In full view of the nature of the sacrifice, I said, • " Take life or friends away." ■■■.'> I could just as readily have said, "Take /^/'e," as I could have said, "Take friends ;" for that which was just as dear, if not dearer, than life, had been required. And when I said, " Take him who is the supreme object of my earthly affections," I, fiom that moment, felt that I was fully set apart for God, and began to say, " Every tie that has bound me to earth is severed." I could now as easily have doubted of my existence as to have doubted that God was the supreme object of my affections. The language of my heart, and, as far as memory serves, the expressions of my lips, were, I live but to glorify thee. Let my spirit from henceforth ceaselessly return to the God that gave it. Let this body be actuated by the 5 an instrument Spirit, thy per- formance of thy pleasure in all things. I am thiiiC — wholly thine. Thou dost now reign in my lionrt 12 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Ilolinc'ss. Sanctification. Purity. unrivaled. Glory ! Glory be to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for ever ! While thus glorying in being enabled to feel and know that I was now altogether the Lord's, the ques- tion, accompanied with light, power, and unques- tionable assurance, came to my mind, " What is this but the state of holiness which you have so long been seeking ?'* It was enough ! I now felt that the seal of consecration had in verity been set. God, by the testimony of his Spirit, had proclaimed me wholly his ! I said, and also felt, in such a peculiar sense as my spirit still most delight- fully appreciates, " Henceforth I am not of earth ; the prince of this world, though he may come, yet hath nothing in me. The Lord, my Redeemer, hath raised up a standard against him ; I am set apart for ever far thy service r* While thus exulting, the voice of the Spirit again appealingly applied to my understanding, " Is not this sanctification ?" I could no lonofcr hesitate ; reason as well as grace forbade ; and I re- joiced in the assurance that I was wholly sancli- iied — througliou:t body, soul, and spirit. O with what triumph did my soul expatiate on the infinitude of the atonement ! I saw its im- bounded efficacy, as sufficient to cleanse a world sf sinners, and present them faultless before the throne. I felt that I was enabled to plunge, and lose myself, in this ocean of purity — yes, :^.'':. FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 13 Language inadequate. Former Scruples. " Plunged in the Godhead's deepest sea, And lost in love's immensity." It was enough ! My spirit returned consciously to its Source, and rested in the embrace of God. From my inmost soul I said, "Lord, it is enough !'* I pause at the exclamation; for I hesitate what language to use, or what expression to make of my views of the condescension of my covenant- keeping God, relative to this eventful period of my Christian history. Ah ! I have no doubt but, even after innumerable ages of eternity have past, the amazing condescension thus manifested for the es- tablishment of one so fearful and unbelieving, will be by me exultingly rehearsed to a listening mul- titude of rejoicing angels, and cause a renewed burst of holy triumph from the adoring throng. Every shade of objection, or thought of scruple, was thus by Omnipotence himself rebuked, or rather utterly silenced. What I mean by scruples should be mentioned. It is this : — Though I have ever been a firm ' teliever in the doctrine of Chris- tian holiness, embracing the entire sanctification of body, soul, and spirit, as taught from the Scrip- tures by the apostolic Wesleys, and their cotem- poraries ; yet the terms made use of, in speaking of this attainment, were objectionable to my mind, in a manner which I cannot now take time to explain. Though from early life I had felt that I needed just the blessing comprehended, yet the 74 FAITH ArO ITS KFFECTS. Propriety oi ' \i! Is Holiness, Sanctification. vi J i' terms made use of I seldom used. Now there seemed sucli a glorious propriety in the words " HOLINESS," " SANCTIFICATION," that I tllOUght nothing less than infinite Wisdom could have de- vised words so bifinitely proper. What more reasonable, thought I, now that 1 have been enabled through grace to resolve on being wholly the Lord's, than that he should set the seal which proclaims me hia; and still fur- ther, now that I have set myself apart exclu- sively for his service, that he should take cogni- zance of the act, and by the seal of the Spirit ratify the engagemeni ? So clear was the work, and so apart from anything like extravagance in feeling or otherwise, that though I had fixed my calculations on the performance of some great thing, such as an amazing struggle — ^a desperate venture of faith — I was now ready to exclaim, " How simple and rational 1 and how precisely as might have been expected as the result of such exercises. It is all here ; I, through the Spirit's influence, have given all for Christ, and now he hath revealed himself, and given himself to me, and become my all in all. ^ . ^ Your sister in Christ. ^ &' FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 75 A Blissful Hour. A Holy Compact. No. XI— TO MRS. W- rae. ■ 1 Tlie bliss of dwoUiiig in God— Blessings are received for t .^ giKnl ofothers— Confession contemplated — What had been hindcrance for years — Hearty submission to the order of God. To MY Sister in the Lord, Mrs. W — . I could almost wish that the barrier preventing thought from mingling identically with thought, might for this once be passed. It is thus only permission might be gained to lay open to you fully the deep exercises of that devoted hour to which I referred in my last. that blissful hour ! when the spirit, redeemed by the blood of the covenant, was permitted to pass through the veil of cait- ward things, and return to its Source, with al\ its tide of affections. Nothing but the veil of mor- tality, which now seemed almost drawn aside, ap- peared to prevent the enraptured, blood- waiihed spirit, coming into the full blaze of the presence of the eternal Trinity. , , Such was my sense of dwelling in God, and being surrounded by his presence and glory, that it seemed as if my spirit mingled in worship with the heavenly company. The exercises thi'ougli which I passed I regarded as nothing less tlian a holy compn^^ entered into between the IMune God and i » ,pirit which came forth from him ; and as sit '^^ lu'^ve I ever since felt the power and weight of Jie engagement. 76 FAITH AKD ITS EFFECTS. J Cost counted. Confession. Inquiry. Not as the least of the privileges of this period do I regard that of being permitted to count the cost so fully. I foresaw, that, if I would perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord, I must not lean to my own imderstanding, or exercise indepen- dently my own will. Also, that the blessing I had received was not imparted for my own enjoy- ment exclusively ; but that, in accordance with the requirement of Him, who, by the offering up of himself, made this great salvation possible for me, I had been constituted a witness of it, for the good of others. I was convinced that for years I had been hin- dered from rising in holiness, by a neglect to com- ply with the order of God, implied in the passage, "With the heart man believeth unto righteous- ness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation ;" and though the deep quiet of my soul seemed to present a natural obstacle to anything like personal publicity, yet I was inspired with the resolve that, through grace, Satan should never again triumph over me in this matter. The requisition seemed to be (whether tempta- tion, or otherwise, time must determine) to the acknowledgment of what God had done for me, before hundreds and thousands. " Can you, will you, do it?" was the inquiry proposed. "Yes, Lord Jesus, even before an assembled universe, if this be thy will," was the response of my now ^: period int the perfect ot lean idepen- ssing I enjoy- dtli the up of ■or me, le good en hin- to com- assage, iteous- e urto ly soul ything th the never 3mpta- to the )r me, u, will " Yes, rse, if Y now FRAGMENTS FROM MY rORTFOLIO. How Holiness may be lost. Symmetrical Holiness. 77 perfectly subdued heart. Now, though I well know that this blessing is the gift of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ ; yet I fully believe, if I had not yielded to these convictions relative to confes- sion, I could not have retained it. I then felt, and time continues to confirm the conviction, that if I should cease to comply Avith the terms implied in being set ajyart for God^s a vessel dedicated to holy service, it would be at the forfeiture of sanctification itself. Yet need I state conclusions so evidently inferable from such premises ? Here the distinct idea of symmetrical holiness first impressed me. By symmetrical holiness I mean that result of entire devotion to God, which is achieved in the perfect consistency and agreement between the various elements of the clmracter possessing it. Never in heart- felt reahzation did I before so apprehend the great goodness of God in issumg to polluted mortals the command, "Be ye holy," and for such a rea- son, "For I the Lord your God am holy." O, well may angels desire to look into such a scheme ! Yours, in the fellowship of the gospel. /! eBa^Sij..^ . I r r 78 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. A Firm Resolve. Eventful Evening. No. XIL— TO MRS. W . Tlio adversary foiled— Unbroken quiet — Tempted in a dream- Sweet repose — Encouragement given during sleep— Peace, the heritage of the believer. To MY Dear Mrs. W . With my natural pro- pensity to reason, it was suggested that it would re^piire a miracle of grace to sustain me in this state of salvation. The example of those who were appai'ently possessed of much more spiritual firm- ness, and yet had failed in retaining it, was presented to weaken my faith ; especially the ex- perience of the sainted Fletcher, who, at tJiree or four different periods, let go his confidence, was presented to induce despair. But the adversary was foiled. In the strength of Omnipotence I was enabled to count the cost of living a life of faith, and firmly did I resolve rather to die than to doubt. I gained beyond calculation, by the determination that I would not reason with the enemy ; assured if I ventured even to parley, as in the case of the firi?t transgression, his suggestions would soon as- sume the appearance of plausibility. O can I ever, my dear sister W , cease to retain in lively remembrance this eventful even- ing ! I began it, intending to devote it in prayerful waiting before God. I was prevented from con- tinuing long, by some friends calling in ; but the deep quiet of my spirit was not in the least dis- . *■- -» FRAGMENTS FROM MY rORTFOLlO. 79 dream— 'oace, the ral pro- t would lis state lo were al firm- it, was the ex- tliree or ; ICC, was Iversary ce I was )f faith, doubt, nination assured e of the soon as- ease to il even- rayerful om con- but the ast dis- Manifestation expected. turbed by the visitors. After they had retired, 1 spoke of the sweet r^t upon which my soid liad entered to my dear sister Sarah, and then went to my chamber. Previous to retiring to sleep, my reflections ran thus : — As I have not been favored with extraor- dinary emotion, such as I have heard many ex- press, may I not expect something especially confirming during the night ? I had been enjoying sweet and hallowing communion with God during the night season for some time previous to this, and now, thought I, may I not expect some ex- traordinary manifestation during these hours of repose ? Whether this should be given, or other- wise, I felt that I was resting consciously in the arms of everlasting love ; and the breathings of my passive spirit were, Lord, it is enough ! thou art my soul-satisfying portion! The assurance had been imparted, that just the portion of ecstasy best fitted to enable me to glorify God would be given. Already unutterable peace, fresh from the throne, was flowing into my soul, and thus I re- signed myself to repose. - .-^^^.. But I was made painfully aware that I was not yet out of the reach of the enemy, even while asleep. After the above reflections, imagine my surprise on awaking in a frightful dream. Yes, Satan himself, transformed into an angel of light, was permitted to assault me. But the wrath of 80 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Frightful Dream. ijl h our enemy may be made to praise the Lord. Thus it was now. I think the narration calculated to be useful, and, therefore, will give it in part. I imagined myself standing in the back parlor. All the circumstances of the evening, embracing the precious experience I had gained, were still vividly before me. Presently I was aroused by a loud knock at the door. Knowing that all about the iiC use had, by the lateness of the hour, been quieted, and all the inlets secured, I was assured that something was wrong : but remembering that I was already in the power of the intruder, and resistance in vain, I, with firmness, said, "Come in ;" when, lo ! a personage, altogether unlike any I had before conceived of, entered. Added to a countenance fiendish in the extreme, was a costume of the Highland order, with a covering of thin white, and black underneath ; the black, in many places, projecting below tlie white. He harshly demanded, " Is the doctor in ?" " He is in the front parlor, on the sofa," I replied. As lie passed me, I ran and screamed for assistance, {ind was awakened by the eflfort. Quick as thought the suggestion came, "Where is the expected manifestation? Is not this enough to call in question the exercises of the evening ?" I remem- bered how sweet had been my communion for several preceding nights, and now to be thus as- saulted by the fiead of darkness was, for a moment, .X \ « FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 81 Trial. Victory. An Angel. \ V a trial. But, blessed be the Lord my strength, I was kept by the Angel of the covenant from yielding to the temptation. Yet there was so much seeming reality in the assault, that my nervous system suffered, much the same as though it had been an actual occurrence ; but it was thus far only that the adversary was permitted to exert his power. The tranquillity of my spirit was not disturbed. All was a silent heaven of love. Soon I again sunk sweetly to repose, as imder the shadow of the Almighty. * In about an hour and a half after this I was again aroused by these words : " Behold, I, an angel, beseech you that ye walk worthy the vo- cation wherewith ye are called." An angel ? an angel ? inquired I, as if conscious of its not being the exact phraseology of Scripture. With the ex- clamation I again awoke, filled with glory and Avith God, sweetly assured that God had sent his angel to strengthen me. I arose, and returned thanks to God. Soon after this, my beloved hus- band came in, who had been absent on professional business since quite early the preceding evening, and was, therefore, unapprised of the glorious as- surance of hope I had received. I told him how the Lord had blessed me. Of the assault from Satan, and how the Lord had just sent his angel to strengthen me. He seemed over- joyed, and regarded the condescension of God 82 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. The Hosts of the Lord. Their Presence. i as so surprisingly glorious, that I wondered at him, for I felt it was only what might have been expected. Through the power of the Spirit I had first endured temptation, and then that a min- istering spirit should be permitted to visit " fellow- heir of glory, appeared altogether natural ; for my mind had become so spiritualized, that I seemed to apprehend, in most happy realization, that I had, through the 'blood of sprinkling, come not only to Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant, but even *' unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innu- merable company of angels." Again my sheet admonishes me that I must close ; but I shall take an early opportunity to tell you how I have since been borne onward by the might of the Si:)irit. I find a firm, abiding peace, the heritage of the believer after having entered the rest of perfect love. I daily feel that God requires I should be holy, in order that I may be more useful, and, consequently, more happy. 1 am ever enabled to endure, as seeing the Invisible. ITavinG: entered throuoch the blood of the everlast- ing covenant into the holiest, I realize daily that T east anchof deeper ^vithin the veil. Yours, in the blessing of perfect love. FRAGMENTS FROM MY rOKTFOLIO. 83 Temptation. Resolve. Effects. ered at ^e been Spirit I I £1 miii- ^ellow- for my jmcd to . I had, only to Lit even e living L innii- I must to tell by the peace, ntered lit God lay be py- 1 nsible. erlast- that I > I No. XIII.— TO MRS. W- Ternptation relative to retaining the blessing — Mental conflict- Peace — Confession — Desires to know the precise foundation of faith— A statement of the way in which prayer was answered— The consequences of turning out of the way apprehended. To MY Dear Sister, Mrs. W — . I am happy to avail myself of an opportunity which offers to con- tinue the recital of the 'Nvay by which the Lord hath brou^-ht me thus far on my Christian pil- grimage. You may remember the temptation that I men- tioned before relative to the improbability of my retaining the blessing, and the resolve which I made thereupon, that I would sooner die than re- linquish my claim. I have since felt that this resolution was entirely of the Spirit's influence ; and as often as my mind has referred to it, it has been cause of intense gratitude to God. Had it not been for this decision the enemy might have tri- umphed over me in many of the struggles to which my faith has since been subjected. I felt the binding nature of the obligation to profess the blessing, yet whenever opportunity offered, there seemed to be an increased effort on the part of the adversary to darken my evidence. Thoutdi he could not induce me to surrender, his continued suggestion was, that I believed because ' ! \\ ;: 84 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Intense Struggle. Victory. I would believe. In answer to this, in the resolute- ness of faith, I replied, " Be it I myself deceive, Yet I must, I will believe." I had said, I will die in the conflict rather than un loose my grasp. On the third day after I received the blessing, the mental conflict was so great, under the power of temptation, as to have reached ap- parently my utmost power of endurance. I had no sensible commimication whatever, and nothing but the shield of faith to defer* r^ me. The contest lasted, I think, more than au -v ir, during vhich my physical nature was so affected by the struggles of my spirit, that my whole frame was in feverish excitement. The conflict continued till I was both physically and mentally prostrated, and then, on resting my cause wholly with Christ, I proved the truth of tlie words, " I will subdue all thine ene- mies >> It wa:* night, and on resigning myself thus, ^.vcaried nature sunk 'o repose. The next morning I a^ o^ . at an early hour, with peace reigning in all n;v Dorders, and with a soul unutterably filled witii iiod. Btill greater confirmation followed this severe conflict. Much of the time my mind was kept calmly staid upon God, exulting in the blessed- ness of the rest upon which I had entered. On the afternoon of the sixth day (it being Tuej:da,y, ii t ti FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 85 Wrestling. A Reason sought. esolute- han un ecW.:,,;.^l^^^:v"-,^^:^ :,/)'•. ;'::..i I have never dared, nor even wished, to hesitate in the performance of it. Never, previous to receiving the witness of holi- ness, did I realize that I had received the sentence of death in myself; that I should not trust in my- self, but in Him who raiseth the dead. So con- scious have I since been, that all my sufficiency is of God, that for worlds I would not live one day without the witness that I have returned all my re- deemed powers to hini. Momentarily do I know, yes, deeply realize, that the seal of consecration is Bet. On my first entering into this blessed state, a ..^... r^x^- IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. 4^% ^^^ i/^. .^ A 7a 1.0 I.I Sfi^ IIIIIM I ^ IIS = 1.8 t l£ 1.25 1.4 |||.6 ^ 6" ► vQ % ^Vj>^^ .<^ /: '>> ''^ ^ w Sdences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. )4S80 (716)872-4503 \ ^^ ;\ \ % V -^X. ^\ ? e V C?. ^^/%^ ^4^ ^ ^^A ! Il'll) I llilH \ I I Inquiries. Conviction. Talents. No. XV.— TO MRS. R . Questions— Unreasonable not to bo holy— Danger of slighting con- victions — Sad remembrances — A fearful state — Count the cost — Decision — Self-sacrifice — Tlie martyrs — The offense of tlie cross not ceased — Self-distrust — The way opened to the holiest — Tempt- ations. Dear Sister in Christ, — And now, dear sister R , how does yoiir soul prosper ? Has the consecration of all your powers yet been made? and is the sacrifice accepted ? Or are you still lialting between two opinions? Your Redeemer demands your entire service. that f God, immediately obeyed. . "^t^f-* Job said, " The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away ; and blessed be the name of the Lord." Can you not say the same ? Perhaps nature still shrinks, notwithstanding all your eiForts to induce a willingness to make the sacrifice. Well, be it so. You know that every onward step for the disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ is marked with self-denial. " If any man will be my disciple, let him deny himself." "As ye have re- ceived Christ Jesus the Lord, so tvalk ye in him." By this you are assured that every successive step must be thus marked. An illustration is sug- f^'sted to my mind, which I think will help you : — Imagine a Jew in ancitiis time, fully aware of the r,oc oirements of the law demanding the choice of his flocks for a moment he hesitates while covetousness, murTn;i\^in his heart, as he gazes with increasing interest or theyaluable sacrifice, until aroused by the consideration of what indulgence in the unhallowe r' cr 104 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Sympathy with Christ. The WiU. Our interests being all identified with the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, how can it be other- wise than that all our sympathies should be thrown out upon a perishing world ? And is the design of redemption answered in any lower state of grace than this ? If you live in the enjoyment of this salvation, you will then be constrained to acknow- ledge yourself but an unprofitable servant, ren- dering no more than is His due. You will have cause for deepest abasement before God, that you have ever neglected thus to acknowledge the claim of your Redeemer. If you delay presenting the sacrifice, from any cause whatever, you make food for repentance. God demands present holiness. Every earthly con- sideration should dwindle into insignificance in comparison with this. Resolve, sister, from this moment, that this demand of your God shall be met. Say to every minor object, " Let the dead bury their dead." Remember, the offering must touch the altar be- fore it can be sanctified. This is God's unalterable decree. With him there is neither variableness nor shadow of turning. The act, on your part, must necessarily induce the promised result on the part of God. But do not forget that all is not laid upon the altar, until that will th.nt requires signs and wonders preparatory to believing is also re- signed. This seems to be the last point about FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 105 Holiness not Feeling. Answer to Prayer. which the heart lingers. What you are aiming at is holiness, not feeUng. Trust the matter with God, and he will give you just the amount and kind of emotion that will best fit you to glorify his exaltetl name ; and this is all that you are now to live for. Your God is now saying unto you, " Bring all the tithes into my store-house, and prove me herewith." Do it, dear sister, and you will at once know, most assuredly, that if any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine. !N ot to-morrow, but NOW. Your faithful friend. No. XVII.— TO MR. K . All impression confirmed — Religious joy — Temptation succeeds — Unwise inference — Holiness a state of character, not of emotion — The disciple with Jesus in the wilderness, and on the mount — Tlie disciples on Tabor — The unwise request — The disciple as his Master— Tiie crown coveted ; not the cross. Dear Sir, — Your letter confirais what I said to Dr. P., on the evening after I parted with you. " Brother K has, I believe, received the bless- ing of holiness, for my prayer has been turned to praise in his behalf." So I said to my husband, and this persuasion your letter verifies. You ob- serve, ** During that night, I awoke with a sweet, heavenly feeling, that I was the Lord's. I felt a perfect assurance that I was wholly his, and my 106 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Emptiuess. The Disciple with liis Master. joy truly was unspeakable. I arose, and gave God thanks for his great mercy to me. After an hour or two, I fell asleep again ; but, in the mora- iiig, these feelings had left me." Had your faith been wholly founded on the faithfulness of God, and not dependent on your feelings, you would not in any way have lost anchorage, as a conse- quence of this destitution of emotion. But it was when on your homeward journey, at a time to which you had looked forward as a sea- son favorable for special communion, ** when alone in the car," that you were called to endure the trial of your faith more fully. It was now, you say, that you " experienced a strange feeling of emptiness, or a destitution of hohness." Why say "a destitution of holiness, ^^ unless you had con- sciously taken your offering from off the hallowed altar ? If you still had power to keep all there — to continue in the same act of presenting all through Christ — you were just as truly in a state of holiness then, as when filled with joy unspeak- able and full of glory. Holiness is a state in which all the redeemed pow'^vs are given up to God tln'ough Christ. The follower of Jesus may as tmly be with the Captain of his salvation, realizing close and holy fellowsliip when in communion with him, as the Man of sorrows, and permitted to know a fellow- ship with his sufferings ; or, if possible, when driven at \ PRAGMENTS FROM MY TORTFOLIO. The Disciples on the Mount. 101 with him into the wilderness to be tempted of Satan ; or in any other conceivable state, where the disciple may in this world be as his Master : *' Ye are they that have been with me in my tempta- tions." In either of the states glanced at, may the lowly disciple be as truly conformed to the will and also to the image of his Saviour, as if permitted the enjoyment of holy fellowship with him on the mount of transfiguration, with every impulse or feeling of the heart saying, "Lord, it is good for us to be here.'* If feeling were the principle commanding reli- gious action, instead of calm, deliberate, steady faith, how often should we be led astray, even when in our most pious moods ! Think of the dis- ciples, who, from the impulse of exuberant", pious feeling, desired to have three tabernacles reared, in order that they might ever abide on the mount, alone with the Saviour and his heavenly visitants ; unmindful that the work of the Redeemer in saving the world was not yet accomplished, neither the work to which they, as his disciples, were called, in establishing his kingdom. Imagine that the pious feelings with which they were at this time f{ivored had formed the principle of action, what would have been the fate of a lost world ? A destitution of joyous emotion, then, is not a destitution of holiness. On receivhig an ii ease of faith, or of any other grace, we ought always to -• 108 fattii and its effects. Trials succeed Joy. expect the trial of this faith, or whatever grace we may have received, to succeed. Jesus was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of Satan, immediately after being favored with special tokens of the approval of his heavenly Father. And ought not we, who have purposed to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, to expect to be canied through a process somewhat similar, after having received special tokens of divine approval ? Thus it was with you, dear brother ; and there are reasons, of which we shall knoTv more when knowledge is made perfect, why it is that God permits Satan to assault so powerfully his chosen ones. It is blessed to know that the veracity of our covenant-keeping God is pledged that we shall not be tempted above that we are able. And it is enough for the servant that he be as his Lord. The violent assault of which you speak, which so quickly succeeded the strong consolation conse- quent on your faith, was not of forty days' con- tinuance. Consider the Apostle and High Priest of your profession, " forty days in the wilderness, and vdtli the wild beasts." Did you suffer^ being tempted ? Think of him : " For in that he himself hath suf- fered, being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted." i am delighted with some remarks of an old writer, which have just met my eye. They are so precisely suited to your case. n ( FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 109 Theophylact. The Cross and the Crown. t>wi I might have substituted them in place of my own remarks, had I seen them sooner. Theophy- lact observes : " One grand end of our Saviour's temptation might be to teach us that when we have consecrated oursejves to God's service, and have been favored with peculiar marks of divine acceptance, and the consolations of his Spirit, we must expect temptations ; and to teach us, by our Lord's example, how we may best and most ef- fectually resist them, even by an unslmken faith, 1 Pet. V, 9 ; and by the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Eph. vi, 17." — Bensc/ii's Com- ment, "We count them happy which endure." O may this happiness ever be yours ! I do not mean to express a wish that you may be ever enduring the fires of temptation, but that you may endure as seeing the Invisible through whatever trials you may be called to pass, remembering that you " are apjyointed thereunto," and that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren. It is true, that but few covet the blessedness of that man that endureth temptation ; though many eagerly aspire after the crown, which the Lord, the righte- ous Judge, hath promised to give unto such. Yours, in Christian love, " 1 110 FAITH AND ITS EFFKCIS, Struggle. Resolve. Faith. No. XVIII.— TO MR. K . Mr. K 's statement of his case— Questions— Mr. K 's reHC lution — Comparison — Inconsistency of Mr. K 's position — May the sanctification of the soul be achieved gradually? &c. — " God's word its own evidence" — Correspondence between faith and ':on- fession — "Have I lost my wili?" — Answer — Illustrations — Tlio obedient child — Abraham — The Savioui- — Family government— Ruhng by love — Daily intercession — Household dedication — Re- straint — Abraham's family — Joshua — Eli. Dear Sir, — After the violent assault of Satan, re- ferred to in my last, you say : ** Not being conscious of having offended, I was alarmed, and renewed my struggle ; sometimes endeavoring to consecrate my- self to God, and sometimes believing that the con- secration had been made ; until I finally concluded that I must and would believe I had given up all, and trust h's blessed promise, and live a life of faith. From that time to this, I have endeavored so to live, and yet I am not able to say that the blessing is mine." I have quoted thus largely, in order that you may review your position. You finally concluded tiiat you must and would live a life of faith. Do you mean a life of faith on the Son of God ? Have you indeed consecrated yourself wholly to him? And is your all now being presented to God, through Christ, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the v,^orld ; and yet you can- not say that your sins are taken away ; th?t you FRAGMENTS FROM MY rORTFOLlO. Ill The Gift and the Altar. are cleansed from all unrighteousness — wholly sanctified ? Surely you are not willing to assume the position, that a living sacrifice, presented to God through Christ, is not holy and acceptable ? I know you would not intentionally undervalue the precious blood of the atoning Lamb, and yet your position assumes it. Your final conclusion was, to live a life of faith on the Son of God ; that is, a hfe of entire depend- ence upon his merits, trusting in him to purge vour conscience from dead works, to serve the living God. Far be it from you to say that you have trusted, without fully proving the faithfulness of God. With far less guilt might one in ancient times say, "I have laid all upon the hallowed altar, the altar that sanctifieth the gift, but cannot say that it is sanctified." Under these circum- stances, both the word of God would be doubted and also the inherent virtues of that altar which God hath declared to be an altar most holy. This is the sin which is aimed at when Christ says, ** Ye fools, and blind ! for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar which sanctifieth the gift?" You come to the Christian's altar. " We have an altar." Your final conclusion is that you have consecrated all upon this altar, which is Christ. In view of his sacrificial sufferings and death, should I ask whether there is virtue sufficient here to cleanse from all unrighteousness ; to sanctify I 112 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. " lie staggered not." A Growing Faith. wholly ; what would you Stay ? I know you would tell me that the virtues of this most holy altar are amply sufficient for the cleansing of a world of polluted mortals. Allow me to )'emind you of your final conclusion ; that is, to live a life of faith on the Son o^ God : if so, then it is upon this hal- lowed altar that you are now resting. And now, my dear brother K , if you will resolve to let your faith depend on the word of God, and not upon your uncertain feelings, your difficulties will all be at an end. This, I believe, will from this time be your experience. Shall I henceforth hear it said of brother K , " He staggered not at the promise of God through unbe- lief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God ?" You ask my opinion relative to the evidence of the blessing being received sL wly, or perhaps at intervals. We can conceive of one, who, on beii)g informed of a matter of great importance, at first but partially relies upon :he word of his informant ; until accumulated evidence of ihe veracity of his friend puts it beyond doubt, and he becomes estab- lished in assurance that the word of his friend is evidence sufficient. He then proceeds to inform others of the fact : and if asked what evidence Iiq has of its being so, he gives the name of his friend, and exclaims, " This is autJiority sufficient ; I have his word, and the wo7'd of such a friend is its own evidence." i '.\ FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 113 " I will believe." Confession. 4 " God's word is its own evidence," said an ex- ( client minister, who loves to live by faith on the Son of God. Here let me again remind brother K of his final conclusion, of which this forms a part, " I 7mist and will believe that I have given up all, and trust in God's promise, and live a life of faith." Do you believe God's promise constitutes reliable ground for your faith ? Is his word evidence sufficient to rest your faith upon ? If you have come to the point to rely upon it fully as the foundation of your hope, you will not hesi- tate in making confession with your mouth. If you are not willing to do this, it proves that your faith is yet defective ; for you will speak with a confidence precisely proportionate with what you deem to be the authority and faithfulness of Him unon whose word vou rely. But do not forget that believing with the heai-t, and confessing with the mouth, stand closely con- nected, and " what God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." To the degree you rely on the faithfulness of God, hasten to make confession with the mouth of this your confidence ; and to the? degree you honor God, by reposing on his faith- fulness, will God honor you, by cOliferring upon you the graces of his Holy Spirit in their rich ple- nitude. My dear brother, let me urge you to be instant in season and out of season, in the perform- ance of this duty : if we meet no more in time, I -I t > 114 FAITU AND 1T8 EFD'EOTti. My own Will. God's Will. Tests. may we hail each other in the city of our God, and there joy to find our names enrolled among those who have been foremost among Christ*s holy confes5)Ors on earth. But I observe a clause of your letter, not before noticed, of which I would say a word. You say, " I fear I have a will of my own ;'* but of this you do not seem entirely confidentc I am glad to ob- serve your carefulness on this point. may your conscience ever be " Quick as the apple of an eye !" But while enc.eavoring to ascertain the truth of this matter, do not forget that you have an enemy who day and night accuseih the saints before God. Would you indeed be willing to have your own will done, instead of the will of your heavenly Father? Imagine hat the ruling of your des- tiny were, in any degree, taken out of the hand of God and placed at your own dispo- sal, would you not be afraid to be intrusted with it, in any degree ? If you would at once re- fer it all back to God, then the conclusion is evi- dent ; you have not a will of your own. But we may have natural shrinkings from certain forms of dutj^ ; yet if we do not yield to nature, it is still evident that the will of God predominates over our own will, and all is yet in obedience to Christ. If a judicious parent require a child to do that to which his nature is strongly disinclined, and the ■ t< FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 116 " Thine only Son." " As thou wilt." God, oiong > holy )eforo I say, is you to ob- 7 your ith of enemy ' 3 God. r own avenly des- )f the dispo- rusted ce re- is evi- 3ut we ms of still n IS over Christ, lo that nd the y child, fearful of grieving his father, yields, though nature still strongly shrinks, to what he knows to be the superior judgment of the father, the child is* even more worthy of commendation, than if the re- quisition had not been painful to his nature. The love, obedience, and confidence of the child, havo all by the act been tested, and exhibited in a man- ner calculated to move the heart of the father, quite beyond what it would have been had no such test been instituted. If Abraham had been required to offer up Ishmael, instead of Isaac, would his faith and his obedience have been as thoroughly tested as they were ? God said, " Take thy son, thine rnili/ son, whom thou lovest." When the Lord said this, doubtless all the tender yearnings of the father for his only son were roused even to an unusual de- gree. God did not forget this, Avhen he said, ** Now I know that thou f rarest me, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from me. )> The Saviour also, who possessed as truly the human as the divine nature, h^d a will which shrunk from suffering : " If it be possible let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not as / mil, but as thou wilt." His will was obedient to the will of his Father. If, in our brother K , the human will is subject to the divine will, then ho may thank God and take courage. 1^ M 116 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Ruling ill Lovo. Early Intercessions. • s*N**w^^^' W" *^ ^ You inquire relative to our mfmagement with our little family ; but, as you perceive, the size of my sheet forbids my saying much on this subject in the present communication. We have deemed it important " Never to take the harsher way, When love may do the deed." And we have endeavored to cherish in their young hearts that love and confidence which you observe. It is certainly far more desirable to rule by love than by fear, if such a thing may be. And it is my opinion that this may be done to a degree quite beyond what many parents imagine. God is love , and it is our earnest prayer that the atmosphere in which our children live and move may be that of love. We have dedicated our house to God, and believe that he hears our prayer when we ask that his presence may abide with us, so that every one that enters our dwelling may feel the hallow- ing influence of the Spirit of holiness. Before the routine of domestic duty for the day commences, I feel it a blessed privilege to present each member of our household individually before God. After having presented myself, with all my interests, temporal and spiritual, afresh to him through Christ, I daily plead the promise, " I will pour out my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thy offspring. ' ' I try to claim the fulfillment of this promise, and believe myself successful. ! ige to essmg FRAGMENTS FROM MY rORTFOLIO. in Restraint. Abraham's Family, We have dedicated our children to God with an intention of devoting them in some special manner to his service, and are endeavoring to have their moral and religious training all directed to tliis point — usefulness in the church of Christ. You may infer from this that it is needful that their natural inclinations should at times be crossed to meet this point. In reference to gay society, or conformity to the world in dress, and other respects, we should think it proper to exercise parental au- thority if there were occasion for it. We are look- ing for wisdom to train them in the way in which they should go, and not in a way from which it would be needful that they should depart, on becoming themselves self-denying followers of the Saviour. "Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged," is an admonition most important in family government. But I imagine that the sin of Eli is far more prevalent than that of undue family restraint. God said of faithful Abraham, " I know him, that he will com- mand his children, and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken." We observe by this, that the parental and household government of Abraham stood closely connected with the fulfillment of God's promises to him. Firmness and love, equally blended are most es- # ■■&!St^?^ -I 118 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Joshua. Eli. Heaven in the House. sential in family discipline. Courageous Joshua says, " I and my house will serve the Lord." I have feared that some professors rather prefer that the cause of Christ should be wounded, than the feelings of their children and other members of their household. Thus was it with Eli. If ex- postulation and entreaty had been the only thing required, he does not seem to have been particu- larly deficient. Doubtless his sin was, that he did not, with faithful Abraham, command liis children. You inquire about the religious state of our two younger children — whether they are Christians. I am not prepared to answer this question directly, and you see I have now almost filled another sheet. In love, farewell. \ ^il Ml! 1 No. XIX.— TO MR. K . Remarkable visit of the Spirit— A new licart given to a little child— ' I want to pray more" — An accusation of the tempter— Littla W Infantile anticipation — Propriety. Dear Sir, — Were you not praying for us as -a family the evening I parted with you ? Soon after my return home, while at supper, an unusual sense of the divine presence came upon me, and a heaven of love and sweetness seemed to fill the house. Being later than usual for supper, all the members of my family, with the exception of my two young- I FRAGMENTS FROM MY TORTFOLIO. 119 A Little Girl with a New Heart. est children, (who had retired for the night,) had gone to meeting. As I left the parlor and went up to my room, about eight o'clock, to my surprise I found our daughter still awake, and, at her earnest call, I went to her room. Her eyes looked as though she had for some time been weeping bitterly, but she was now smiling amid her tears. " ma !" she exclaimed, ^* I have been asking God for a new heart, and he has given it to me." I questioned her, but could see no reason to doubt that the Lord had indeed visited her with his salvation. Among other things, she said, " But Satan told me something very naughty." She hesitated for a moment as though it were something that she hardly dared repeat, and the%observed, " He said that I should never go to heaven ; but I asked the Lord, and he told me if I loved and sen ed him I should." She seemed very happy in the love of the Saviour, and as I observed before, the whole liouse seemed filled with a heaven of love. Little W then called me to his roorr, and a divine influence seemed to be resting ^^pon him also. " ma !" said he, *' I want to pray more than my own prayers." I remained some time in- structing him in answer to his many inquiries, some of which surprised me much, inquiries whick t knew must have been prompted by the direct inftu' ences of the Holy Spirit on his heart. In consequence of not being home iis ^arly 120 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. I ! tH! " What is it to give my Heart to God?" usual, I had not conversed with these little ones as I generally do, especially on sabbath evenings. It was clear to my mind, therefore, that the feelings of my dear children had not been produced by any external influence. The accuser had b'^en susforestinsf, that in not being with them when they retired, I had neglected an obvious duty, for that which was questionable ; but on finding them so unexpectedly receiving the gracious teachings of the Spirit, the Holy Com- forter said to my heart, " Fix oil God's work thy steadfast eye, So shall thy work be done." I should not like to answer your question, that is, Arc these children Christians ? unhesitatingly. But I will say, that from their earliest existence we have given them up to God. We believe that the Lord in some special manner recognizes the surrender, and gives the more direct influences of the Holy Spirit as a consequence of their being set apart for his service. They love to talk- about spiritual things, and from the dawn of reason have manifested mucli in- terest, and sometimes deep emotions, while I con- versed with them. A few months since, little W asked this question, " What is it to give my heart to God?" Bishop H was with us, and he took the child on his knee, and with most heavenly pveetness told him in a manner suited to his capa- FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 121 " I mean to be a Minister.'* 't for and 1 in- con- city just what it was to give his heart to God. After which, W , in a solemn and impressive manner, said, " I give my heart to Jesus Christ." This was a memorable period, and he since 'says that he has given his heart to God, and I would not dare say he has not done so. When he is asked, as is often the case with such little creatures, What do you intend to be ? His almost invariable reply, whether to wordlings or others, is, ** I mean to be a minister, if God will make me one" We have set him apart for that work, with the prayerful desire that he may be called of God, as was Aaron. " The harvest is great, but the laborers are few." In view of the need of faithful laborers it seems most reasonable, and not unauthorized by the spirit of the word, that pious parents should thus set their children apart, not with an idea that they are to decide the matter, but to order their entire moral and religious training in such a man- ner as may best fit them for the service of the sanctuary ; and then, if the thus consecrated one is not sure in after life that he is " moved by the Holy Ghost to preach the gospel," he will, by pious culture, have been fitted for other work in the vine- yard of the Lord. * But if a case should occur in which a person thus dedicated to the ministry should not be called, it would be unlike any case I have yet met with. In reference to little W , we cannot help u'^ 122 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. '• I wish I was in Exico.'** Sunday News. suring up in our hearts these indications that he has received something like a baptism into the Spirit, of what may be his work, and we take courage. This morning he said, " I wish I was in * £:xico; (Mexico ;) they fight there !" I felt troubled at his saying what seemed so unlike himself ; and chidingly said, " Why, W , they are wicked there because they fight, and if they do not take care they will soon all go to the bad place together :" " I thought I might go and tell them that it is wicked to fight ^^^ he replied. On sabbath morning a boy was crying *' Sunday Morning News'* past the door. W came to me with a saddened countenance and said, "Do you not think I had better run and tell him that it is wicked to sell papers on Sunday ? ^t may be he does not know how wicked it is." This is but a specimen of the way in which he often talks. I think you will with us conclude, that God is not unmindful of the con- secration which we have made of our children to his service. And it is because we think this a most important matter that I have so much at length answered your inquiries. Yours, (fee. I .»! 1 FRAGMENTS PROM MY PORTFOLIO. 123 An Undivided Saviour. No. XX.—TO MR. K . Faith receives Christ in all his offices— Distrustfuluess—IIlustra tion — A specific kind of unbelief pointed out — The Bible the voice of God to man — Reference to 2 Pet. i, 21 — Profession on the au- thority of the WORD urged — Waverings in faith sinful — Triumphs of Satan — Loss to the cliurch — Shght notions of the sin of unbe- lief lamented. Dear Sir, — I had hoped that my dear brother K had counted the cost of Uving a life of faith on the Son of God ; yes, of faith on the Son of God, and of faith on him in all his relations to you. He is your Prophet, Priest, and King. Re- member, brother, Christ is not divided. If he is received at all, he must be received in all his offices. You cannot be saved by receiving him as your atoning Priest, while you reject him as your reigning Sovereign or your Prophet — your Teacher. You have faith in the efficacy of his atonement as Priest. You, doubtless, consent to his control as your King. But, brother, may the Spirit mightily convince you of the necessity of an unwavering trust in all his teachings ! His " words are Spirit, and they are life." -^ I imagine you say, ** Sister P has mistaken my position. It is not the word of God I distrust. It is myself. The language of my heart ever is, ' Lord, I believe thy every word, Thy every promise, true.' " And yet, brother, I think, on careful exami 124 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. The Whispered Doubt. One Point. you may find yourself in some degree given to distrustfulness. To the degree you are so, you dishonor God. If Christ, robed in human flesh, were now standing before you, repeating words of Hving truth in your ear, and should a distrustfid look cloud your brow, or words betokening a hesi- tating faith fall upon the ear of the listening mul- titude, would not the Saviour's heart be pained, and his name be dishonored before the whole assembly ? But you may desire to know whether I can direct to one point where your faith in God is de- fective. Perhaps I may discover to you more than one, if, through the Holy Spirit's influence, I be successful in placing before you what 1 think I perceive. You say, " Were I only sure I had given up all, I could at once believe, irrespective of frames and feelings. The promise, * I will re- ceive you,' I could at once claim as my own, and thus, in obedience to God, I should be empowered to cleanse myself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit." One point, marking the defectiveness of^your faith, is here. You labor prayerfully to be sincere, and then, just as well as you know how, you give yourself wholly up to God through Ghrist. After making this surrender, you ask if ,|||iyt.hing is kept back, that it may be clearly dis- red. But, in answer to these intercessions, further is revealed. Just here a promise I. ■ I : igh FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. " The Just shall live by Hearing.^* 125 As. %^' meets you : " If in anything ye be otherwise mind- ed, God shall reveal even this unto you." Now, why do you not believe the word of the Lord ? It is just the promise which you need at this point in your experience. God is now saying this to you, and you are doubting him, and by this he is dishonored. Yes, unbelief is a sin. If you con- ceived the tvo7'd of God a sufficient foundation for your faith, and were not looking for some evidence apart from this, you would believe. " But is it not through the direct agency of the Holy Ghost that I must believe ?'* Yes ; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost ; and you will, indeed, prove these words are spirit and life, as soon as you fully rely upon them. Yec, you will realize that the Holy Ghost hath given them a life-giving energy, — " To him that in thy name believes, Eternal life with thee is given ; Into himself he all receives, Pardon, and holiness, and heaven." The Bible is the voice of God speaking to man. If holy men spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, the words thus uttered are in verity the words of God, as though they were heard sounding forth from the highest heavens. If they were heard, faith were no longer requisite. If t|^ were the order of God, it would have been wii^ The just shall live by hearing, or ■ ".■^- '^. *.n 'i f n 126 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Faith better than Sight. answerable thereunto. Or, if this were the better way for man in his present state, God had ordained it* But the holy apostle Peter, who had both heard this voice which came from heaven, and was also an eye-witness of his majesty, does not pro- nounce the indulgence of these senses the surest way for estabhshing the heart : " We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well to take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts, knowing this — first, that no pro- phecy of the Scripture is of any private interpre- tation, for prophecy came not in old time by the will of man : but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." I note this most important passage, with the hope that you may, as in the presence of God, mark, learn, and inwardly digest; and from this time believe, when you comply with the conditions upon which the blessings which you need are pro- mised, that they are already yours. The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth and in thy heart. I will return to the point which I may seem to have left, but which, in truth, I have aimed at in the fore- going remarks. Now, should 'you believe, when yott ask God to discover to you anything which be unrevealed, that he fulfills his word to you ; F4»ur confessions before God and man, you would Through the power of the Holy Spirit, I am # FRAGMENTS FHOM MV rORTFOLIO. 127 Confession on the Authority of the Word. now wholly given up to God. I have laid all upon the altar.*' Were an inquirer to ask, "What authority have you for speaking so confidently of your state?" you would reply, "I have the au- thority of God's word. Upon this alone my con- fidence rests. I, in sincerity, have given myself wholly to him. I have the promise that he will receive me when I make the surrender ; and I cannot now believe otherwise than that he does receive me, unless I doubt his word, and this were in itself sinful. ^^ " But, perhaps, there may be something undiscovered, which may mar your sa- crifice, and render it unworthy the acceptance of God." " I am oound to beheve that the Faithful and True fulfills his word to me ; he cannot deny himself. I have asked, if there be anything with- held, or if in anything I be otherwise minded, that God will reveal even this unto me ; and now it were, indeed, most dishonoring to God, for me to doubt his faithfulness in this respect." Just in proportion to your confidence in the faithfulness of God would be the strength of your testimony in your confessions of what he had done for you. if these doubtings and waverings were only regarded among professed believers as sinful, as they are in reality before God, what a dif- ferent state of experience would the church .p| sent ! Satan, surely, is peculiarly successft|^| blinding the minds of multitudes who bel 128 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. ■■^■^^Si''V^^^» tf^0>t0*0^0^0^ An Unvanquished Foe. Great Loss. ) 'I yi ',' the attainableness of the rest of faith, relative to the enormity of this sin. When one who has been brought out of the bondage of spiritual Egypt arrives at the borders of the promised land ; if an enemy, perchance his last unvanquished foe, pre- vent his leaping over, even though but within one step of his long-sought rest, what a victory is gained ! Shall an enemy, capable of detaining his victim for days, months, and even years, at this point, be thought of as an enemy of small moment ? Shall a foe, possessed of power sufficient to keep hundreds among the ministry, who are sincerely endeavoring to gain the rest of faith, and thousands also among the laity, who, for years, have been uttering strong desires for its attainment, shall such an enemy be regarded as a slight foe ? But, alas 1 too well does Satan succeed in keeping the understanding of multitudes in comparative dark- ness, relative to the aggregate loss of the church in the holiness of her membership, through this form of unbelief. Why do you not enter into the enjoyment of full salvation ? asks the inquirer of one who would be a sincerely devoted follower of Christ. " I cannot say why," says the latter, " imless it be my unbe- lief, I have for a long time been seeking, and y^laiow of nothing that I would not be willing to ice for its attainment ; and I conclude; that it only my unbelief which keeps me from the I P v> n o S( a< FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOMO. 129 Wavering. " Only Unbelief." an enjoyment of this my promised inheritance. I know that the kingdom of heaven sufFereth violence, and also that God hath made it my duty to believe, and frequently I have almost made the venture, but again I Avaver !" So says the doubting one : as if it were comparatively a small matter to indulge in these vacillations of faith ; and this, too, when it is the word of the unchangeable Jehovah which we claim the privilege of crediting or rejecting at our pleasure. • . I have not yet finished what I would communi- cate on this subject, for my heart is indeed full ; but circumstances render it inexpedient that I should write more at present. I will give you my thoughts more fully, soon. Yours, (fee. No XXL~TO MR. K~ full Ibe nnot nbe- and " Only Tinbelier' — Ancient Israel — Borders of the promised land reached — Met and vanquished by an enemy — Who was it ? — God dishonored by unbelief. Dear Sir, — how infinite in importance is the point which the arch deceiver gains by the little words " ONLY unbelief !'* Here is just where for months past the enemy has gained a signal victory over my dear brother K . Not only over your- self has he triumphed, but, according to your oii^ acknowledgment, the precious cause of Chrisl ; 9 I I 'I 130 I, '!■ IW '* ! r"!^ .1(1 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Circumstances favorable to Usefulness. suffered loss, by your not being in the enjoyment of this blessing. You say, " I feel th«it if I had the blessing, the circumstances in which I am placed would be peculiarly favorable to my usefulness." How many might have believed through your tes- timony, had your unbelief been given up, when you gave up every other sin ? Why was this ex- ception persisted in? Surely, brother, you did not consider how derogatory to the cha^ncter of God it is to doubt his word. Relative to the en- ormity of this sin, well may God complain of you and many others, as of ancient Israel, " My people doth not consider." Let us, dear brother K , for a moment glance at the nature and consequences of this sin. Think of Israel. God, with a high hand, and an out- stretched arm, had brought them up out of the house of bondage. The Red Sea was safely passed by a miraculous interposition, and Israel looked on and beheld the destruction of his enemies, as they w^ere overthrown by the power of the Highest. Gently, as a nurse cherisheth her childrr^i, were they led forth through the wilderness. One ob- stacle after another, most formidable in prospect, had been overcome by the power of God, imtil they had become fully instructed relative to the almightiness of his hand to deliver, when they i^ve at tlie borders of the promised land. They ?> 3SS. tcs- vlien J ex- i did 3r of e en- p you leoplc lance trhink oiit- f the asscd ed on they hest. were le ob- jspect, until 10 the they They have passed the Red Sea. The parched and howl- ing wilderness, too, has been traversed, and tlie hosts of Israel stand at Kadcsh Barnea ready to enter in triumph upon their long-sought rest. Just here, they are met by a foe more formida- ble than the hosts of Pharaoh, more terrible than the sea or the desert. That foe'subdued them and drove them back into that terrible wilderness, where they wandered till the bones of that whole genera- tion were strown bleaching on the sands. Who was that mighty foe of Israel? Paid tells us. ** They entered not in because of unbelief " — " only UNBELIEF." Ah ! when Israel discovered the consequence of this one act of unbelief; when they saw that they had thereby so greatly displeased God, that they were for ever debarred the privi- lege of entering that land, in prospect of which their journeyings had been commenced, and con- tinued down to that point of time, when God sware that they should not enter into his rest ; O, think you, that they were disposed to speak of unbelief as a light matter ? As their doom was being ac- complished, and they were, one after another, fast falling in the wilderness, do you imagine that they were prone to look back and say, 0, it was only unbelief ? Now, if Satan succeed in blinding our minds to the formidableness of this enemy, is not this in- 132 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. The Sin of Israel. W;.iverings. deed a mighty achievement ? I need not say that the honor of God is as truly concerned in us his spiritual Israel ; ** being delivered out of the hand of our enemies that we might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life ;'* as it was in the deliverance of his ancient people. How greatly was the name of God dishonored by the sin of Israel in their refusing to enter ; and how greatly is our heavenly Joshua, the Captain of our salvation, who hath undertaken to bring his. redeemed people into this Canaan of rest, dishonored, when we by our unbelief refuse to enter ! Dear brother K , be no more of a doubtful mind. Give up your waverings : " For he that wavereth is as a wave of the sea, driven with the wind r.nd tossed ; for let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord." " This is the com- mand of God, that ye believe." Is it left optional with yourself Avhether you will obey this command ? How presumptuous to doubt God ! Resolve that you will do so no more. Be without variableness or shadow of turning in your purposes. To the de- gree you are otherwise, instability in experience will be your portion. " If ye will not believe, surely ye sliall not be established." In Christian love, yours 1 FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 133 Roll away the Stone. Valley of Decision. i No. XXII.— TO MR. P . Difficulties in the distance— Humility and decision— Divine protec- tion—Daniel — Workers together with God— Witness of the Spirit — Distinction between faith and sight — Abraliam ; his patient faith — The wavering one. Dear Sir, — On looking at difficulties in the distance, how oft have travelers in the heavenly way ex- claimed, " Who shall roll us away the stone ?'* when, on coming up to the dreaded point, they have found the stone already removed, and a risen Saviour ready to meet them with his comforting smile. Thus, my dear brother P., you found it relative to the long-dreaded difficulty, which was matter of such serious forebodings in your last. " The day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision." You, dear brother, are being led by the Spirit low into the valley of humility, and doubt- less this is only permitted, that God may in due time exalt you. His word is pledged, that if any man -vill do his will, he shall know of the doc- trine. You, my brother, have decided at every sa- ciifice to hioiv, in order that you may do, the whole will of God. Through the energies of the Holy Spirit, which have been momentarily imparted, through the intercessions of Christ, you have, day and night, sleeping or waking, been sustained in the absorbing desire to stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 134 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. i ^- A Miracle. Satan restrained. Daniel. To be thus kept amid so many opposing influ- ences, is of itself a miracle. Imagine that the decree should pass the throne of Heaven, that you for five minutes should be left to the will of your enemies. An entire destitution of every gracious intention, or desire, would in a moment succeed. Desolation of body, mind, and estate, exceed- ing the desolations of Job, would be the immedi- ate consequence. Limits, as you will remember, were, by the fiat of the Almighty, set to the power of Satan, when Job endured the trial of his faith. But for the present and continuous intercessions of your Saviour, inconceivable power would at once be given to Satan over body, mind, and estate. Yes, brother, you are " kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation ;" and every moment you are thus kept, you may exultingly si.ig, " I 'm a miracle of grace !" How do you suppose Daniel felt when he stood among the lions ? He well knew that if his God had not sent his angel to shut the mouths of the devourers, his doom had been inevitable. Do you not think he ever afterward regarded himself as a peculiar monument of the saving grace of God ? But he was not in reality more so than you are ; for the roaiing lion, who seeketh whom he may devour, is ever prowling about your path, and every moment you are preserved, it is by the miraculous intervention of divine power. 9 ^am^mfftmmf FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 135 God at Work. Faith and Siglit. you self of you he ath, by 1 t Your letter was encouraging to my faitli in your behalf. Yes, my brother, it is God tliat worketh in you. Even now, while you are read- ing this communication, our God, who hath said, ** I am the Lord which doth sanctify you," is car- rying on the sanctifying process in your heart. " But when shall I be enabled to testify, that I have the direct witness of the Spirit, that I am wholly sanctified ? This I believe to be my privi- lege." Yes, brother, this I also believe to be your privilege, and this I am sure you will have the moment you unwaveringly rely on the pro- mises of your faithful God ; for the Spirit bears testimony to the truth of the word, when with perfect confidence we rest upon it. It is true, that you may not have any sensible manifest- ation, by Avay of assuring you of the acceptance of your offering, as the immediate consequence of your faith. To the degree manifestations ad- dressed to the senses fire given, the necessity of faith is precluded ; but it is written, " The just shall live hy faitli^'' not by sight. When the father of the faithful saw the hea- venly fire descend, and with his natural eyes was beholding tlie consuming process, as the flame steadily ascended heavenward, was faith in any nccessarv, by way of assuring him of the ac- '\y ceptance of his offering ?^ Surely not ; for open vision precluded that necessity. But this sensible 4.' 136 FAITH AND ITS EFFECT8. Abraham's Patient Faith. assurance would not have been given, had not a continuous act of steady faith preceded it. Had he, after laying his offering upon the altar, re- moved it again from ihat hallowed shrine ; had lie, forgetful that he had need of patience, yielded to weariness, from watching the consecrated offer- ing, and then began to indulge in questioning why the Lord should so long delay the expected token of acceptance ; and then, turning his mind off from the faithfulness of God, indulged in various con- jectures, expressive of unsteady faith ; would Abra- ham, amid these waverings, have received any- thing from the hand of the Lord ? Surely the ap- pellation of the " father of the faithful" had not been given him ; for in reference to the wavering one, our God hath said, " Let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord." O that my dear brother P may be an ex- ample to believers, m faith and purity, as well as in doctrine ! Yours truly. P. S. — I perceive that I have not fully answered your letter. Your numerous inquiries demand much more time than I can command at present ; but I will write from time to time, as circum- stances may permit. ■*.♦ r FRAGMENTS FUOM MY PORTFOLIO. 137 Promises Misapplied. Not willing to be holy. ■#.» No. XXIII.— TO MR. P . Premature application of the promises — Not willing to be holy- Paul's concise statement of the way to holiness — Distinction be- tween consecration and sanctification — Obedience must precede appropriating faith — Wickedness of removing a sacrifice from the altar — Thomas — The will ; its language — Of one who gave up his will. Dear Sir, — I think many err by urging the pro- mises upon those who have no right to them. It was only this morning that a friend observed to me, " I asked brother L how his mind stood, in rehition to the subject of holiness. He acknow- ledu^ed his need of the blessinof, and said that lie desired it. " * Can you conceive of any reason why you do not receive it ?* " * I do not know, unless it is my unbelief.^ " This friend then began to urge the promises upon him ; but she soon found that he rather need- ed the threateninofs whicli are denounced afjainst those who are unwilling to be holy, as he soon afterward frankly intimated (and as though it were a light matter) that he was not willing to co?:se- crate all to God. This brother, then, accord: ig to his own concession, was not willing to be holy. How unsuccessful would have been the solicitude of his anxious friend, though she had continued hours longer in endeavoring to overcome his un- belief, by urging the promises upon him ! It is my »■ f- hi 138 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Labor lost. Consecration. Promise. Cleansing. Opinion, that a large amount of well-intended la- ])or, in urging persons to Liy hold upon the pro- mises, is lost precisely in that way. Paul, in his Second Epistle to the Corinthians, chap, vi, 17, 18, and chap, vii, 1, presents the way by which holiness may be attained, in the clearest and most concise manner. The question, " Is con- secration entire sanctification ?" is here also fully met. First in order stand the terms of the cove- nant, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing." Next come the promises, " I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." Here, then, is entire consecration, and immediately follow the promises, which, the moment the conditions are met, are given to the seeker, (and not one mo- ment prior to this compliance,) and yet the apostle addresses the thus consecrated one, as not yet cleansed from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit ! But he admonishes the humble aspirant, as already in possession of the means by which he is to cleanse himself — not as though he were to accomplish this work unaided by the power of God. No. Having these promises, which the Lord Jehovah gave him the moment he made an entire consecration of himself, he is at once directed to the next step in order, which is to appropriate the promises; and from that point he goes on perfecting holiness in JsHk FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 139 ip in and Prematuro Attempts to believe. the fear of God. It is tlius that the words of the Saviour, " Sanctify them througli thy truth, thy word is truth," are illustrated in the experience of the disciple. Thus we see how obedience to the primary in- junctions of the word must precede the act of appropriating faith. As has been before premised, the difficulty which most persons find in endeavor- ing to exercise that faith which appropriates the blessing, comes througli the effort to believe, hefore the steps which should precede it are taken. Sup- pose Abraham had tried to believe that his offbring was " truly acceptable," hefore he had laid it upon the hallowed altar. How inconsistent ! Imaoine that he had even brought it within reach of the altar, and yet had not laid it upon that "most holy" place, would it have been sanctified ? But, after it was once laid there, was it any more at the option of the offerer ? No. It was no more at his disposal, than if it had been borne away by Gabriel, and laid upon the throne of the Eternal, the moment it touched that altar, by the virtue of which it was sanctified to God. If God saw fit, for the trial of his faith and patience, (and shall we say his honesty also ?) that it should for a season remain, in order that .these various graces might be tried, it was not for him to dictate. Had Abra- ham yielded to impatience, and again resumed the offering and appropriated it to his own use, it 140 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Sacrilege. " I will not believe." Great Mistake. would have been a most sacrilegious act ; for the offering was no more his own — no more in any- possible way at his own disposal. Had he thought of it as otherwise than wholly sanctified, he would have greatly dishonored God by his want of faith in his word : " He that helieveth not, maJceth God a liar r But does an offerer at the Christian's altar really give up all, until he gives up his unbelief? There are many who imagine that they have given up all, who still retain their own willy especially on this point — except they see signs and wonders they will not believe. With unbelie^dng Thomas they say, " Except I shall see " — thus and thus, according to some preconceived plan — " I will not believe." And thus it is, though willing, perhaps, to surren- der everything else, tliey hold on to this point, "I will not believe, except — .** The real position of such persons seems to be expressible as follows : Unless the high and holy One shall come down to meet my will, and give me the witness of this salvation, in a way to meet my own views, as to tlie manner of its reception, " / will not believe.^* What an egregious mistake is here ! If it had been said, " If any man will do his own will, he shall know of the doctrine," then there were some hope of the will of such being met. But since Jesus hath said, " If any man ivill do his will, he shall know of the doctrine," no hope remains for the FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 141 A Man without a Will. Belief without a Sign. >» It entire sanctification of such, until the will be sur- rendered. This surrender of the will may, to some, seem a small matter ; but to me it appears tremendously great. If a man resigns his will to another, the identity of that man is, in every important sense, lost. His words and actions are all expressive of the mind and will of the other, not of himself. Thus, when the will is wholly given up to God, that person will, in all the minutiae of life, in word and action, present a transcript of the mind and will of God. An interesting case, corroborative of the senti- ments just expressed, occurred at our house some time since. A lovely young brother, now in hea- ven, had said in the Tuesday afternoon meeting, ** I do not obtain the blessing, and yet it seems to me I am willing to consecrate all." After the meeting had closed, I addressed him thus : — " If I should tell what you have not given up, would you endeavor now, in the strength of the Lord, to make the surrender ?" "I will." " It is here. You, doubtless, give up all but your will, which requires something besides the word of God as a foundation for your faith : ' Except ye see signs and wonders, ye wnll not believe.* But God says. No other si^n shall be given you, than that which has already been given ; that is, the WORD OF God. Are you now willing to rely 142 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Just the Difficulty. Unconscious Faith. Intellectual Faith. upon that alone, and trust God to give whatever emotion he may judge best as the fruit of your faith ?" He saw just where the difficulty had been — made the surrender of his will, and received tlie end of his faith, even the full salvation of his soul, and the witness of that salvation. I cannot precisely see how one can believe, and yet not Tcnoio it. If this be a truth, I need further instruction on this point. I prefer the good old Scripture doctrine, ** He that helieveth hath the witness in himself." Yours, (fee, in love. No. XXIV.— TO MR. P- Ternptation as to the genuineness of faith — *' Man-work" — Faith without works — " Workers together with God" — Queries about self-sanctification — Answers — Scriptural test — Exhortation. Deae Sir, — You seem to be afraid that there may be too much of your own works and doings in this way of receiving the blessing. Satan tempts you that your faith is a mere intellectual effort, and not that faith which is tlirough the operation of the Spirit. If your faith produces such works as prove tlie leadings of the Holy Spirit, you need nothing more to settle your mind on this point. The effect of righteousness is quietness and assurance. Per- haps if the ffiith of believers in general were more intellectual, it might be more efficient in its opera- tions. I do not desire to believe anything in such FRAGMENTS FROM MY TORTFOLIO. 143 A iJiblo Reason. Man-work and Spirit-work. Faith without Works. c'l way that I may not give a reason for my hope from the Bible. I hope you may have come to about the point in your heavenward journey ings where " wisdom and knowledge shall be the sta- bility of thy times and strength of salvation." *' But is there not danger of being too much ab- sorbed with man- work ? I want to have the work of my salvation all Spirit- work, so that I may never in any degree walk by sparks of my own kindling." This then makes it all important that you should have a purely Scriptural experience, and not one merely conformable to what you witness in those who are alike fallible with yourself. Man stands intimately connected as a worker together with God in the work of his salvation. Is not the more general fault of professors that of seeking to be justified by faith, without such works as God hath ordained, as the necessary pre- requisites to an appropriating faith ? I think by far the greater number of difficult cases that I meet Avith are of this description. " How can ye be- lieve which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only ?" When Paul said, " I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service," did he not mean that they, through the power of the Spirit, sliould bring the sacrifice, and lay it upon the altar ? Would G od 4 144 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. ; s*'. Abraham justified by Works. The Spirit's Help. «..«,••.. ^ A^ have commanded this without giving power with the command for the performance of it? God will never do our part of the work, neither does he require that we should do his. It is God that worketh in us, but we must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. "Was not Abraham, our father, justified by Avorks, when he had offered Isaac, his son, upon the altar ? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect, and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness : and he was called the friend of God." " But does not this savor too much of sanctifying ourselves, instead of recognizing the Holy Spirit as the sanctifier? I want to know, most assuredly, that I am sanctified through the Spirit." Let me ask, brother, how were the first movings in your heart, prompting you to seek a state of holiness, induced ? Was it not by the power of the Spirit that you were incited to take the first step toward the attainment of this grace ? And now, that you have for weeks past been sustained in a state of progression toward it, have you been enabled to go forward in your own might, or have you been empowered by the might of the Spirit for every progressive step ? And when you were gradually brought to submit to what you felt to *• FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 145 The Spirit's Leadings and Testimony. ! be an entire crucifixion of the flesh, I need not ask how you were brought to this point, for I am sure you will acknowledge tho direct agency of the Holy Spirit. What abundant cause have you, my dear brother, to thank God and take courage. In your last you acknowledged that you had been testing yourself in order to ascertain whether you were in truth led by the Spirit, and the result was, that you were enabled to settle the point in- controvertibly by the Scriptures, that you were indeed thus led, and consequently v child of God, and if a son, then an heir of God, . .1 joint heir with Jesus Christ. In order that you may be brought into the enjoyment of all those high and holy privileges, which are already yours by the right of inheritance, the Holy Spirit has undertaken to teach and instruct you in the way in which you should go. Through the operations of the Spirit you are now brought to Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant, jmd to the blood of sprinkling. O that you may now yield implicit obedience to the voice of the Spirit, while he may not testify of himself, but take of the things of the Father and of the Son, and reveal them unto you. Jesus, through his merits, now waits to present you to the Father, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing. Do you doubt ? Behold him, as he " Points to liis side, and lifts Ids liands, And sliows tliat you are graven there." 10 r-i 146 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Patient Waiting. Danger of drawing back. I must now close ; but permit me first to say, tliat " wc are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brother, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, tlirough sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." Adieu. Yours, (fee. No. XXV.—TO MR. P- Huptism of tiio Spirit — The just Ljall live by ♦'•uth — Witness of the Spirit — Answer delayed — Need of patience — My sister — Inter- view with Rev. T. Merritt — Confession — Steadfastness — Zeal. Dear Sir, — I learn by your letter, that you have not yet received the full baptism of the' Holy Ghost. O that you, by the Spirit, may be sustained in a pa- tient waiting ! " For yet a little while, and He that shall come, will come, and will not tarry." " Now the just shall live by faith ; but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." 0, my beloved brother, may you not be of those that draio hack ! Did time permit, I could refer you to cases where individuals, after having been brought to the point where you now stand, have, through the tremendous assaults which Satan hath here made upon their faith, drawn hack feaifully. May the Lord save you from the painful experience I have witnessed in others who have thus cast awav their confidence ! Yet, though T v/ould urge you to wait pa- FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 147 Expect the Witness. Something gained by the Delay. >> ♦ r tiently, and with the resolve never to remove the offering from off the hallowed altar, I would also press the importance of looking momentarily, and with earnest wrestlings, for the witness of the Holy Spirit. It is your privilege to be filled witli the Spirit, and with all the fruits of righteousness. We may conceive something of the feelinr/s of him whose faith we are admonished to follow, while he continued expecting and longing for the de- scent of the hallowed fire. The poet doubtless gives some idea of the state of his feelings when he says, — " Restless, resigned, for this I wait." But Abraham did not wait long ; neither will you, if you remain steadfast in the faith. Yet you must hot imagine that you are not gaining any- thing by this delay : *' Knowing this, that the trial of your faith worketh patience ; but let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." Even while lingering here, you may be strong in faith, giving glory to God. You ask if I ever knew any one so long de- tained at this point as you have been. Yes ; I have known some who have been eminent exam- ples in faith, in purity, and*in doctrine, who, in like manner with yourself, have been called to en- dure the trial of their faith. One of these is my sister in the flesh, who in the enjoyment of this I ^1 I 148 PAITII AND ITS EFFECTS. My Sister. The Reckqning. Rev. T. Merritt. blessing was in Christ before me, and whose exam- ple and prayers have been very helpful in all my heavenward way. Her experience has been written, from which I will quote briefly. After she had most solemnly and irrevocably resolved, in obedience to God, to " reckon her- self dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord," she waited about one week before she received any sensible assurance of the fact, (to use your expressions,) " that she was thus dead, and thus alive." But she had counted the cost of living a life of faith, and was not to be moved from her steadfastness. While thus lingering with intense longings, the Spirit, through the medium of the written word, encour- aged her faith greatly, by the continuous applica- tion of these words : " Blessed is she that be- lieveth ; for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord." She continued, though buffeted and variously tempted, steadfast and unmovable, until one day, occasion requiring that she should call on the Rev. T. Mer- litt, she said something expressive of her interest on the subject of holiness. "You enjoy that blessing, do you not, sister?" said Mr. M. She was startled at the 'inquiry, for she had not yet thought' of confessing it, and soon replied, " I have dared to reckon myself dead indeed unto sin, and alive unto God, throuon the written word as in FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 153 Faith always brings Power. A Mountain of Gold verity the voice of God, the answer may be with surprise returned, "What, beUeve without any other evidence than the word of God !'* O when will the truth fully obtain among professors, that ** prophecy came not of old time by the will of man, but holy men of old spake as they were moved hy the Holy Ghost r Let me tell you, my dear brother, to the praise of the God of the Bible, that in my experience I find faith always brings power, I apprehend the lively oracles as the words of the . living God, and to me the Bible is not a ** dead letter," but spirit and life. When I kneel in my devotions before the Lord of heaven and earth, I spread out before me that WORD, by which he hath said I am to l)e judged at the last day; and conscious that it is only the Spirit which indited the Scriptures that can give them life-giving energy, I wait only on God, humbly believing that " God is his own interpreter, And he will make it plain." Every promise of God, as one hath said, is wortli more than a mountain of gold. I search as for hidden treasure, to know what promises are suited to my condition, knowing that such are given to me, because Christ hath purchased them for me, and all the promises of God in him are yea and amen. The designs of God are frusti'ated, and his name dishonored, if I refuse to call them mine, and ^ 154 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Faith iu Dark Hours. Confidence. to claim tlic proffered benefits, after boing by tho Spirit brought to sustain this characterj in answer to the intercessions of J esus. I am endeavoring to trust in the Lord at all times, and under all circumstances. To the glory of his name I will say, that I believe I have been enabled to confide as unwaveringly, under dark dis- pensations, as under those more light and joyous. If all were light, then there had been no tests of faith. But it has not been so. I thank the Lqrd that some of the most instructive lessons I ever re- ceived have been painfully acquired. I do not re- member to have been brought through one trial, however contradictory circumstances may have ap- peared, but that I have been enabled to rest in the assurance, that "all things work together for good to them that love God." I fully believe that my covenant-keeping God will keep that which I have committed to him unto the perfect day. But I would not dare choose the way in which I am to be kept ; this I leave to God, with a sure trust and confidence that he will lead me through just such " Trials, iu number, measure, weight," -is will best show forth his praise, by exhibiting his power to sustain. Even so. Lord Jesus. Amen. At the end of life's journey may I, with the spirits of the just made perfect, meet my dear brother P . Though we have never seen each V..' other in the flesh, yet, doubtless, there we shall FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 155 A Memorable Day. The Bridegroom. meet as kindred spirits — ay, even as children of one Father, in our Father's house. Yours, as ever. i No. XXVII.— TO BISHOP AND MRS. H . Separated friends — The day of my espousals — Judge W , and Judge R Happiness without holiness — A forty years' seeker obtains the blessing in a few hours — An evening on the camp ground — Struggles of a minister for holiness ; his confession — The mcrning ; doubt ; profession ; the witness — A member of his flock — Conversation — Full salvation in five minutes — Brother and sister B " This now salvation" — A youth — Proposition — Deci- sion — Self-denial — Sweet peace. - Dear Brother and Sister H . You say, " Di- rect your next to Cincinnati." How fabt and how far you are receding from us ! The thought is pain- ful. At times I have almost wished that I did not love you so well ; but in reality I am not sorry. " Jesus, the comer-stone, Did first our hearts unite ; ■ And still he keeps our spirits one, * Who walk with him in white." Ten years ago, on the 26th of July, Jesus be- came the all-absorbing object of my heart's adora- tion. September 28, 1827, was a memorable day. I am sure I shall thank the Lord throughout time and eternity that I ever saw it : but far, how far more memorable, is the 20th of July, 1837, when Jesus became the Bridegroom of my soul, and condescended to enter into the bonds of an ever- lasting covenant with me ! ** Surely goodness and A Child happy in Disobedience. mercy have followed me all my days." "The lines are fallen to me in pleasant places, and I have a goodly heritage.'* ** Come and let us exalt the name of our God together." Sister H says she is staying with Judge W— — , of D : the mention of it reminded me of Judge R , of M , whose family I visit- ed some time since. Judge R. was also a class- leader and a prominent member of the church at M . He did not profess the enjoyment of the blessing of holiness. One day, after I had been urging the subject with earnestness, he replied : " O, sister P , I am happy." For a moment I felt hurt, and, looking imploringly upon him, said, " Why, brother R., imagine you had a child, to whom you had given a command, the observai^ce of which was most important for his welfare and also for your honor as a parent. The child, though fully aware of your command, still goes on in dis- obedience. You remonstrate. He replies, ' 0, I am happy.* Would you not wish your child were not quite so happy?'* I shall never forget his looks ; they spoke of shame-facedness before liis heavenly Father ; he had not a word to say in reply. Soon afterward he received the blessing of holiness. I have once or twice mentioned this, of late, at meetings where the people seemed contented to enjoy happiness without holiness. , At the Eastham camp meeting, I heard an in- i FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 157 «#MW«^^^^^kAi^#«^^^b^k^«^kMrf^'*<^h.'^>A^k^^^«#^^k^h^k^^^^^ Law's Call. " Speak of Holiness.'* teresting item in the experience of a minister who has enjoyed the blessing of holiness forty years past. Before receiving the blessing, he had often thought how much he wanted it. One day, on taking up " Law's Call to a Holy Life," his eye rested on these words: "Men are not holy, because they never really purpose to be holy." He thought, " Surely here is my case. I have never really brought the matter to a point, with a fixed purpose to be holy." He then made the resolve, and, if I remember right, in a few hours afterward was made a happy witness of full salvation. I was at N camp meeting when I last wrote you. The evening of that day was inte- restingly spent. I was in quite a large and crowded tent, where the exercises were of a general character. As most present seemed to be professors, it was suggested, " Speak of holiness." I was not well, and an unusual prostration of body and mind had come over iiie, of which the enemy endeavored to take advantage, by causing an un- common shrinking, perhaps I may say, of both flesh and spirit ; but I thought of. Mr. Wesley's Scriptural admonition, " Casting aside that enthu- siastic doctrine, that we are not to do good unless our hearts are free to it." I promised the Lord, if he would help me to a word in season, that I would ever look back and say, " Is the hand of thf^ Lord shortened ?" / ^ ^^ ^ -^^ * 158 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Struggles of a Minister. " God has humbled mo." I >K I spoke, and the power of the Lord was present. One, in an especial manner, was wrought upon, and cried out with a loud voice. When the peo- ple were called to the stand, this brother remained with several others, who seemed as though they could not leave the place. To my surprise, I found that the individual, who had been so signally brought out, was the minister of the people with whom I had been worshiping. He continued to struggle during the services from the stand, most of the time on his knees, and obtained a little light just toward the close. He was then tak^n to an- other tent, where it was somewhat more retired ; but his people followed him. Here he disclosed the secret of the matter. Amid many sighs and tears, he said, as nearly as I can remember, " 0, my people, God has humbled me before you. I have, as you know, now and then tried to preach holiness to you ; conscious that I did not enjoy it myself, but fully purposed that you should not know it, I had hoped to get it in the privacy of my chamber. To-day I had serious thoughts of returning home, to plead with God in secret for it : but God would not let me do this ; he has brought me out, and humhled me before you. I must, I will be holy." While he was kneeling during the exercises from the stand, so unyielding had been the character of his unbelief, that I had, perhaps almost rcprov- :8im- FllAGMENTS FROM MY rOHTFOLIO 159 resent. upon, e pco- nained h they irisc, I ignally le with led to I, most ie light to an- etired ; sclosed nearly 3d has know, you ; it fully I had lamber. ^ home, 1 would ut, and holy." es from icter of rcprov- " I deserved it." Lovo-feast. ingly, said, " You are a minister, and as a leader of your flock you ought to be an example in ftiitli, as well as in doctrine ; and God doubtless means to bring you out as such." Alluding to this be- fore his people, he observed, " The sister said I was a minister. Ah ! this was the worst of all ; but I deserved it." This was, I think, one of the most affecting scenes I ever witnessed, and it was made the means of awakening a deep and absorb- ing interest on the theme of holiness in the minds of his people. I was obliged to leave the ground before the meeting closed, as I slept at a house a little dis- tance from the encampment. On the morrow 1 returned at an early hour, as a love-feast was about being held. I had asked the Lord to direct my feet, and amid the multitude, at the entrance of a tent door, I met this minister, who, until the evening before, had been a stranger to me. I found him prepared to say that he knew he had laid all upon the altar, but was not sure that he was wholly sanctified. *' How would it have been," said I, " with one in ancient time who had laid all upon the altai-, in view of the divine declarations, * The altar sanc- tifieth the gift,' * Whatsoever toucJieth the altar shall be holy ?' A friend meets this offerer on his return from the hallowed altar, after having, according to the best of his ability, presented such sacrifices as r u ^( fl ^r 160 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. " Is your Gift sanctified. The Confession. the law required, and inquires, ' Is your gift sancti- fied ? or is your oflPering holy, acceptable ?' Imagine that the offerer had said, * My offering is laid upon the holy altar, I know ; but that it is wholly sanctified, I dare not say.* * How dare you say otherwise ?' replies the questioner. * If God hath said, " The altar sanctifieth the gift,'' it surely is not left op- tional with yourself whether you will believe or not ; it is presumptuous to doubt. You cannot dishonor God more than by doubting his word.* *' The brother at once saw that it would be a sin which would bring down the displeasure of C .:;d upon him, should he longer indulge a doubt, and resolved, on the authority of God's word, to make confession with the mouth. He hastened to the stand. Love-feast exercises had already com- menced. As soon as opportunity presented, he came out most clearly in the confession, that he was wholly sanctified, throughout body, soul, and spirit. Great peace, quietness, and assurance, took possession of his heart, and he bids fair to be a very zealous, clear-minded professor of the great salvation. On the afternoon of the same day I asked a member of his flock, whether she was enjoying the 'blessing of holiness. The following conversation, as nearly as I can remember, ensued. She replied, " No." " When do you think God will be willing to give it to you ?" " He would be willing to give FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO.. 161 A Seeker of Holiness questioned. Tlie Venture. 9» it to me now, I think, if I were only willing to give up m}' unbelief." *' Do you think unbelief to be - sinful?" "Yes." "Do you expect to save your- self from this sin, or do you expect Clirist to save you?" "0, Christ alone can save me." "Do you believe that Christ is willing to save you now, from this and from all your sins, and that he will do it if you will only now trust him for present salvation?" With much fervor, she answered, " Yes." " And will you now trust him to save you this moment from all sin ? I do not ask what you will do to-morrow, or five minutes hence, for the future is in eternity, and at the expiration of that time you may be there also ; all you want is present salvation, which can only be received by a present act on your part of entire reliance on Christ for it, and which will be continued just so long as this act of entire reliance on your part is persevered in. If you do not expect to save yourself in any degree, every moment you do not thus fully rely on Christ as a whole Saviour, you only make your- self more unworthy by the delay, for in not ven- turing wholly you grieve his Spirit." "0 1 ivill venture," she said. "That is not it. Do you now venture ? Does Christ noiu save you from all your sins ?" She fell on her knees, and cried out, " I am saved ! Clirist saves me now 1 * My Redeemer from all sin, I will praise thee, I will praise thee.* '* I left her rejoicing with 11 u 162 FAITH AND ITS EFEECTS. Not Tears, but Faith. Hospitality. «, jw »'' a joy unspeakable and full of glory. I do not think more than five minutes were occupied in this conversation, and when I arrested the sister, I think she was concerned with some domestic* ar- rangements in the tent. I mention this to say, How truly it is not according to the tears shed, nor the length of time spent in the pursuit, nor accord- ing to anything else, other than, "according to our faith it is done unto us !" That evening God also gave me another signal victory of faith. A dear brother and sister B , who seemed to take pleasure in showing us every kindness in their power, (we had not our own tent on the ground,) were neither of them in the enjoy- ment of full salvation. It seemed as if my gra- cious Lord said, " Ask what thou wilt, and it shall be done unto thee." Thou hast condescended to say, that " even a cup of cold water given to a dis- ciple, in the name of a disciple, shall not lose its reward ;" and now, I ask that this dear brother and sister may be abundantly rewarded, and let it be by their receiving the blessing of entire sanctifica- tion this night. It seemed too much, and human probabilities considered, intimations did not seem to favor my expectations, especially on the part of brother B ; but " Faith, mighty faitli, the promise sees, '^ * ■ " And looks to tliat alone ; ' y ■. • ■ -■. . * Laughs at impossibilities, ' ' And cries, It shall bo done." FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 1C)3 " This now Salvation." Three saved. lo not in this iter, I tic*ar- o say, ed, nor iccord- .ing to signal B , s every vm. tent enjoy- Qy gra- it shall ided to o a dis- lose its ler and 3t it be ictifica- human )t seem part of I do not think more than half an hour inter- vened before God gave me the desire of my heait relative to brother B . He laid hold while I presented the simple way in which brother J , of P , received the blessing while I was con- versing with him in the cars, which you may per- haps remember. After I had repeated just how brother J stepped Qver the bar of unbelief, brother B cried out, " Jesus saves me now /'* Praise the Lord. O, it seemed as if he could never cease talking about "this now salvation," as he called it. A clearer or more joyful witness of full salvation through faith I scarcely remember to have seen. His wife also, with another dear friend, for whom I was much interested, and greatly longed for, entered into the rest of faith before the close of the interview. "' - - And now, what a recital of doings I have given my dear brother and sister H , and yet I have scarcely commenced to say the many things of similar description I have witnessed within a few weeks past. I would stop, but there is one thing with which you will be so interested, that I am sure you would scarcely forgive me should I not add it to the list. Dear sister A is also re- joicing in possession of the peace of God. 0, I am sure you will say, Praise the Lord. The degree of quietness and assurance attained was brought about so noiselessly, and was also so cha- '11 ■» /rSr^ II 104 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. I i L H 4 Worldliness. " If 1 were a Professor." Tlie Decision. racteristic of herself, that I must give you a glance at this also. In speaking of the confonnity of professors to the world, a few weeks since, she expressed her regret that there should be so much of it, especially in the church where she worshiped. " And A , dear, why do you not set them an example on this point ?" said I. " If I w€re a professor of religion, I should then feel it my duty to do so," she replied. " If you think it would be your duty then, it is your duty now ; and I do not believe, if such are your views, that you will ever get into the enjoy- ment of religion till you do." "Well, it would be no cross for me," she observed. "You had better try it," said I. I had long believed that A k lew something of the transforming power of religion on the heart, and that she only needed something to bring her out, by way of confession ; but I little conjectured that this was to be the means. I had thought she possessed so much in- dependence of mind, that the matter of dress was a small concern with her. She said nothing more, and I remembered no more of it, until two or three weeks after, when, on observing her little gayeties laid aside, I in- quired the cause. She replied, " When you men- tioned the matter to me I thought it wowld be no cross, and resolved on trying it. But twice, on going out, I heaid persons behind me remarking, FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 165 ion. rlance DTS to id her ecially )n this jhgion, ephed. n, it is ich are enjoy- would DU had id that power needed ession ; be the luch in- ess was ercd no ', when, e, I in- ou men- d be no vviee, on narkmg, "What a pity!" Sweet Peace. * What a fool she makes herself !' ' What a pity !* and things to that effect, and I have indeed found that it was a cross. But I have had sweet peace. ^^ Her decision, in other respects, is marked. Though Ave may not glory in the creature, yet it seems to me that we may have another S , than whom a more decided follower of the Saviour I never knew. And now, do you not think it quite time for me to close ? How little I thought of such a letter when I commenced writing. I question whether I shall let Dr. P see it. Do you not think he ought to chide both for your sake and mine ? Yours, in the love and faith of the gospel. No. XXVIIL— TO REV. T. M . The " Third Monday evening meetings" — Rev. Mr. C. Our calling —Mrs. The testimony of a maid in Israel— Searching Iho S.-^riptures — "It is all here"— A pious visit — Interrogations— An object of great desire— Withstood by Satan— The vow — The assu- rance — '* Lei it be now" — Suggestion— The word— The victory — Delay — Trial— A hearty profession of full salvation. Your very interesting letter of December 31st was received. It is with much pleasure I respond to the incjuiries of our father in Christ. ^ You have so long, and so ardently, devoted youi -Ife to the special promotion of holiness, that I do not wonder you now, standing, as you do, on the borders of *'. '.'':^4 i ^ i r iii 16G FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Meeting. Witnesses. Heavenly Places. your heavenly inheritance, feel like inquiring earnestly how the battle goes. You desire to know how those meetings, which you established when in oui* city, are prospering. Let me tell you that I think the ** Third Monday evening meetings promise more than to equal your most sanguine anticipations. Monday of last week was the time for our last regular meeting. The power of the Lord was present. A good number of clear-minded witnesses testified of the enjoyment of present salvauon from all sin. The Rev. Mr. C, who had been unusually desirous of the blessing for two or three weeks previoug, was at this meet- ing enlightened to discern his privileges in Christ Jesus more fully, and, with a heart flaming with fervor, he left the place. The next day, about noon, he began to venture on Christ, and at once felt the power of saving grace. On the evening of that day, at love-feast, he gave in a cheering testi- mony of the power of Christ to save. it would indeed have been another drop which would have told most sweetly in our cup of bliss, had our dear father M. been permitted to witness the desire of his heart granted relative to these meet- ings ! "We sat together under the shadow of the Almighty, in heavenly places ; while, as under the more immediate eye of Omniscience, with the Spirit of holiness brooding over us, one witness after another, in quick succession, and i ^ __-a- "■i&if!!!^.-^ FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 167 A Design of God. Utility of Testimony. with holy delight, praised the beauty of holiness. The " Third Monday evening meeting" previous to this was held at the Forsyth-street Church : it was quite as satisfactory as the one just noted. Though you so dearly love the people of your early choice, and greatly desire their establishment in this grace, yet I know it is your belief that it was the design of the Head of the church, in rais- ing us up as a people, that we should be as a light in a dark place, relative to the attainment of holiness in the present life ; and when you hear that God has not been wholly unmindful of us in this our calling, I know it gives you abundant joy. And now let me give you matter for special thanks- giving, by referring to one of the witnesses, who gave in a delightful testimony of the power of our Lord and Saviour to " wash and keep us clean." She is the wife of Prof. , and for several montlis has been enjoying the witness, that the blood of Jesus cleanseth. She informs me that she takes the ''Guide," and as she hails from your way, I have thought your pages might be enriched by her pen, as her experience is remarkably clear and instructive. It furnishes further assurance of the utility of meetings for testimony on the sub- ject of hohness. This lady, as she has since told me, found herself under rather unlooked-for cir- cumstances at a Methodist meeting, and, from a little maid in Israel, heard an unsophisticated tes- m 73FFECTS. I l! A Witness. Truth unfettered. rsevering Inquirer. iiii timony of the power of Christ to save from all sin. The testimony vras from one who could say, ** We speak that vve do know, and testify that we have seen." Had the learned disquisitions of a theologian been brought to bear thus unexpect- edly upon her mind, however truthful his position had been, Mrs. , not unacquainted with theo- logical warfare, might have been better prepared for resistance ; but truth, unfettered by adornment, with the sharpness of the two-edged sword, pene- trated her heart, and she left the place deeply conscious that a further work must be wrought in her heart before she could stand perfect and com- plete in all the will of God. Conceiving that what she had heard was Bible truth, she set herself, as far as circumstances would permit, to searching the Scriptures, in order to assure her heart before God whether she mijrht indeed expect salvation from all sin in this life ; not for a moment doubting but that, if such were her privilege, the Lord would make it known to her tlirough his word and bring her into the enjoy- ment of that state. For weeks she continued in this employ ; while clearer light with every day shone upon the word, leading her to the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world. While passing through this process, her husbanc? often pleasantly inquired, *' Well, wife, how comes on Christian perfection now?" and as her confi- FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 169 Biblical Investigation rewarded. Tuesday Meeting. dence from her Biblical investigations gathered strength, she daily expressed her belief, her increas- ing belief, in the doctrine, until, with a full heart, ar 1 with her eye upon the word of God, she excla' ned, " 0, husband, it is all here." As intimated, it was only for her to be assured that the Scriptures pre- sented it as her privilege to be saved from all sin in this life, in order to enter upon the enjoyment of this blessed state. I think she said to me that she never thought of doubting the faithfulness of God in fulfilling his promises at once to her, so soon as her faith was settled scripturally, as a preparation on her own part for this reliance. According to her faith it was done unto her. She no sooner found the doctrine in the Bible than she at once received the blessing in her heart. But this is not all : I have something to relate relative to her distinguished husband, which will raise the note of praise yet higher. Ever since Mrs. 's mind became interested on the sub- ject of holiness, he had been in an inquiring state. On the 24th of December, Mrs. • came to the Tuesday meeting, which she very much enjoyed. She afterward expressed a wish that her husband might be permitted to attend, during hife visiL to this city, whic)^ ^as of course acceded to. On the intervening T i. .-day, Prof, and Mrs. , with some other iiistian friends, supped at sister L- 's. Ii was truly a pious visit ; and the in - ■V -■•*-* ^.'.-rf .*^ « IVO FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. A Questioner. Heavy Cross. Groanings unutterable. terview I shall never forget. During the evening the Professor asked very many questions, involving some nice points, most evidently with the single aim to elicit light on the doctrine and experience of holiness. The enlightening and hallowing in- fluences of the Holy Spirit seemed to be very pre- sent, both with the questioner and the questioned ; and when, at the close of the lengthy interview, he was called upon to pray, in defiance of former prejudices in reference to females exercising be- fore men, he called upon the female friend whom he had questioned during the evening to pray. She had heard of his views on this point, and the cross was heavy ; but she saw that, in order to carry out the principles of holiness, no other way remained, and she led in prayer. After her return home, until about midnight, she continued to plead for him with groanings unutter- able. Her mind seemed to take within its com- prehensive range how the entire sanctification of such mental energies as the Lord had bestowed upon him might promote the cause of hohness, when wholly enlisted. And she well knew that it was not possible for any one to live in the enjoy- ment of the blessing of sanctification, without feel- ing it as a consuming fire sir it up in the bones, en- .' listing all the powers of body and mind in its pro- motion and with desires inexpressibly intense ; did she long that an understanding acknowledged to / FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOTJO. 171 Wrestling with Principalities and Powers. A Vow, be So clear in pliilosophical truth, might concen- trate its energies in presenting to the Avorld the principles of holiness ; for well did she know that the more closely it was examined, the brighter it would shine. If time would permit I should love to tell you how Satan tried to withstand her, for it was a season of wrestling with principalities and powers, never to be forgotten ; but I may not ex- tend my communication on this point, further than to record a most solemn vow, which was uttered in this hour of extremity. " If thou wilt do this,'* said she, in her importunity, " I will, through thy grace, be more truly ' instant in season and out of season,* in urging the subject of holiness on per- sons of this description, and will henceforth regard the granting of this, my desire, as a special subject of praise through time and eternity." The high and holy One at that moment condescended to as- sure her heart, that her prayer had in truth come up in remembrance before him. Had a voice from the highest heavens fallen upon her ear, saying, " Thy prayer has been heard, and thy vow shall be in perpetual remembrance before God, the de- sire of thy heart shall be granted ;" she could not have been more confirmed in the persuasion that she should have the thing she had desired of God. Yet, though so fully assui-ed that it should be granted, the bestowment was in prospective, and she retired to her couch so burdened for the bring- 172 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. I it Struggliags for Deliverance. " Laid liold and kept hold." ing forth of her desire, that the whole niglit was spent in striiggHngs for deliverance ; even when the bodily powers had yielded to broken slumbers, the snirifc remained conscious in its unutterable groan- ings. Before morning dawned she was again in the attitude of a suppliant, and in her earnest im- plorings she said, "Let it be noWt that he may have such perceptions of the w-ay of faith, of its simplicity and power, as he never before had any conception of," It was suggested, " He is proba- bly asleep, and it is inconsistent to ask that he may be so signally blessed just now, when his mind may not be in a state to receive the blessing." The response of her heart was, that whether he was now waking or sleeping, his spirit was doubtless in a state of preparation ; for the power of the Holy Ghost, which had been operating on her heart, as if it were almost apart from herself, must have in- fluenced his heart simultaneously, and still she cried, " Let it be just nowT As ever, her heart fled to the blessed ^^ord for a fouijdation upon which to rest her faith, when yet again, as in former emergencies, she was enabled to say, " And this is the confidence that I have in thee, that if I ask anything accord- ing to thy will thou hearest me, and if I know that thou hearest me, whatsoever I ask, I know that I Imve the petition that I desire of thee." She laid hold, and ke]pt steadfast hold on the promise im- plied in this wonderful portion of the word, and FRAGMENTS FROM MV PORTFOLIO. 173 Venturesome. The Delay. Terrible Struggle. now began to say, '' I have the petition I desired of thee," and prayer was turned to thanksgivings to God for the reception of the^thing desired. Many temptations had she during that day to give up a faith which the enemy suggested was so ven- turesome. Hour after hour she waited the expect- ed arrival of Professor to announce the vic- tory of faith, and as the moments succeeded each other, witliout bringing any sensible assurance of the effect of her faith in his behalf, the trial became more severe. She well knew that the blessing could not be enjoyed without exerting upon tlie mind a pervading and all-controlling influence, and *'if you had i.ot believed in vain," said the de- ceiver, *' the object of your faith and prayers would have been moved to .hasten to you with the con- fession of how great things the Lord had done for him." But the whole of that day passed, and it was not imtil near the close of another that she ivj-mn o saw Professor . The struggle which was en- dured in holding fast her confidence, two or three hours previous- to seeing him, can never be forgot- ten. It was, indeed, terrible, but grace empower- ed her to endure. On seeing her the professor said, " At about such an hour yesterday morning I received such clear views of faith, of its simpli- city and power,- as I never before had a conception of. It WHS the full assurance of faith.^* r. The hour named was precisely the time the sister ,i 174 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. II n I I " Faith liatli Po\. jr in it." The riglit Name. Nothing- else to live for, had claimed the blcssmg for him, and he also stated, tliat, during the hours of the night preceding this transition, his spirit had been under an unusual in- fluence, and in wakefulness had been progressing toward that point of light and power upon which it had now entered. '' 0," said he, Avith intense ardor, "faith hath power in it.^^ He since delights in call'ng 176 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. V t < i> 1 i i f »!r » m h l! ' : A Hundred Witnesses. Everything but Faith for Three Years. of holiness in the E- — street Church. The min- ister stationed there called in this morning, and said, that at a love-feast held last night about one hundred testified clearly of the power of Christ to save from all sin. What a wonderful work, and all within a few months ! I should have stated, that, besides this, several 'hundred have been con- verted "svithin the same period. Perhaps there was never a stronger confirmation of the truth, " One shall chase a thousand, and two shall put ten thousand to flight," than is furnished by the history of tliis revival. I am quite acquainted with its commencement and progress, and if you think it calculated to ex- liibit the faithfulness of God, and also to furnish useful instruction relative to the order to be ob- served in promoting revivals, you are at liberty to make use of it as may best promote the cause to which you are devoted. A brother belonging to this charge received the blessing of holiness at camp meeting last summer. He had been struggling for two or three years tc> obtain it ; and if wrestling all night a number of times ; if fasting till the body was so nearly brought down, as to leave but little probability that tlie health will again rally ; or if humility so deep, that though a local preacher, he has presented himself for the prayers of the people with the seekers of salvation; if by any way other than by simple faith FRAGMENTS FROM MY rORTFOLIO. 177 Years. e min- or, and ait one irist to rk, and stated, m con- j there truth, all put by the icement [1 to ex- furnish be ob- 3erty to ause to ved the ummer. years to mbcr of broui]jht ,hr.t tlie ep, that himself 'kers of [Ad faith Believe Gad. Everlasting Covenant. Calm after a Storm. the blessing were to be obtained ; then this brother long since had gained it. But on passing a crowd- ed tent one morning, he heard an humble disciple speak of the duty of believing God, after being as- sured tliat the sacrifice was upon the altar. She urged the present performance of this duty, by adverting to Abraham's sacrifice ; maintaining tliat the offerinfj was sanctified the moment it was laid upon the altar, and that to doubt it was to doubt the word of God. He now felt tliat it was his duty to believe, irrespective of frames and feelings, and also perceived that it was most important that he should enter into the bonds of an everlasting covenant with God, to be eternally given up to his service. The mode which had been presented he believed to be most Scriptural, and resolving at once to test it, he retired from the multitude, and in the sequestered wood again calmly surveyed the ground, and then most solemnly bound all upon the altar, and rested upon the word of God as an assurance of divine acceptance. Ho at once felt tliat he was founded upon the Rock of ages. Such a rest, after a tumult of years, can only be appre- ciated by those who, in like manner, have been driven about and tossed. His whole soul was at once filled with inexpressible longings that the church should see the duty of entire consecration snd the simplicity of faith. Dear Dr. had said to him in my hearing, 178 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Surplus Grace to convert the World. The Sixty. i I li^ ^ ; i "If the cliurch would only get good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, what would ran over would be enough to convert the world." He seemed to be filled with faith and witli the Holy Ghost at the time he said it, but I must confess that the expression struck me as extravagant. But the next I heard of it was at a meetuig on the ground,, where this brother was talking among the people with whom he stood connected in chu^p'^ fellowship. With power and demonstration .>'" the Spirit, he assured them of the truth of Dr. P.'s assertion. He desired to know how many would bind them- selves together before God, and before each other, to consecrate themselves wholly to God, and not to rest till they should receive the Avitness that the oflfering was accepted. It was not long before aboiTt sixty had thus solemnly set themselv^es apart for God. ./i.t th<^^ camp prayer rr eeting, held a short time after i^ur.i' leturn, a number of those who were .seckirj ^he witness of holiness were so ardent in their desires for the blessing, that they mshed for- ward to thv aitcir when the invitation was given for those who desired the prayers of the congregation, and it Avas then that the power of God began to be manifested in an extraordinary manner. Sin- ners from all parts of the house were seen making their way toward the altar of prayer, and what FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 110 A Passer-by. Pardon and Holiness. Baltimore. may seem incredible, the power of the High(^st seemed not only to rest upon all within the house, but upon those around it also. A person was passing by on business, when the awakening influ- ences of the Spirit came down upon him, and turn- ing into tho church, he went forward to the altar crying for mercy. From this time the two brandies of the work went on simultaneously. Numbers were wholly sanctified weekly, and scores were born into the kingdom of Christ. Some idea of what God hath wrought you may gather from tlie announcement at the beginning of this communica- tion. This brother, with success somewhat similar, has labored at a number of places since. If I should give the characteristic mainly distinguishing his remarkable ministrations, I think it would be his uncompromising attitude, relative to an entire giving up of the world, and his earnest enforce- ment of the truth : ** The time is come that judg- ment must begin at the house of God." I have received a letter from the Rev. Mr. M , of Baltimore, informing us of an extraordinary work going on at the M street Church. This work also began with the church. Meetings hrid for some time been held on the morning of each day, for the special benefit of those who were seeking the blessing of entire sanctification. Brother M- says, that he has *' heard about thirty consistent witnesses testify at one of tliese 180 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Bi '! »ii r 40 out of 120 1000 converted. Angels cannot preach. meetings of the power of Christ to save from all sin. Meetings have been held in both the body and basement of the clmrch at one time. Out of one hundred tind twenty penitents forward for prayers, forty have during one evening been con- verted. The work is truly wonderful. It was thus also that the extraordinary revival in the A street Church, of 1831, commenced, during which, I think, over a thousand souls were converted. Morning meetings for the special benefit of the members were held from ten to twelve. It was through the instrumentality of these morning meet- ings that w.uiiy became strong to labor for God, and prepared not on!) to point awakened sinners to Christ, but to muse them after they had been brought into the way, and to lead them by the power of the Sj^irit into green pastures and be- side still y^ners. We bid ;ii God speed, dear brother. Yours is truly a high and holy calling ; a work which an angel might covet. But let us remember that men may do what angels may not do. Witness the case of Cornelius : the angel was not commissioned to proclaim Christ to Cornelius, but only to direct to a human instrument, which God had raised up, to tell him what he ought to do. Thus in the blessed work of telling men how they ought to come to Christ as their Sasiouj lu the uttermost, FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 181 ach. om all 3 body Dut of rd for 'n con- revival lenced, Is were , of the It was o- mcet- 3r God, sinners ey had hem by and be- Yours vhich an hat men less the missioned to direct lised up, IS in the ought to iltermost, Great Designs greatly witliytood. Baptized Opposers. God hath raised you up. We magnify the name of our Lord in your behalf. May he fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness in you, and the work of faith with power. Yom are engaged in a great work, and your subtil enemy is doubtless very busy in his inventions to perplex, or to bring you down from your work. We have reason to believe that he generally proportions his opposi- tion to the magnitude of the work to be performed. Personal holiness is a mighty engine for pulling down tlip strongholds of Satan, and lie doubtless in a variety of waj's withstands you. While labor- ing to promote it, sometimes he employs as his instruments tliose who stand committed before the world as the servants of CJirist. When the enemy can get such as these to come out against tlie doc- trine of entire sanctification, or to hold the truth in imrighteousness relative to this subject, he an- swers his purpose more eftectually than by instru- mentalities known to be at his disposal. Satan doubtless directs his most poignant arrows to your heart through some such. '•' Father, forgive them ; they know not what they do." " They did it igno- rantly" is, however, an apology I fear which can hardly avail, in the case of many of these baptized opposers of holiness in the church ; or if volun- teered for them, truth would claim to add, " Of this they are willimjly ignorant." Yet, in view of the rewaids of eternity, liow 'T^.T 182 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. " Sanctified Ones." Least in the Kingdom. BihJiil truly deplorabtc the state of those who oppose truth, whether ignorantly, or otherwise! There are many, both among the ministry and the laity, wlio, apparently with but little idea of the magni- tude of the sin, speak lightly of the subject of ho- liness, and of those wlia' profess the enjoyment of the blessing:. "0 he is one of the sanctified ones,'* say th-y ; as if God had not in verity " set apart^^ the godly for himself. Such, on being questioned, may say that they are not opposed to holiness; but '*the Lord knoweth them > that are his." Their example goes toward weakening the force of truth. They do not profess to be living in the enjoyment of a state of holiness themselves, and in this they break not one of the least of God's commandments, but the first and great command, " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength" — enjoining holi- ness of heart in its fullest sense. O how many professors there are of this class, who thus break the command themselves, and, by the force of their example, " teach men so !" If there wxre a possi- bility of such characters getting to heaven, surely they would be called least in the kingdom of heaven, however dignified their ministerial calling or professions of piety may have been here on earth. But, dear brother K., in view of the work in which you are engaged, how inspii-ing are the .•JH/i^i^^jJ^ appose There laity, magni- of ho- lent of iictificd ty " set 1 being 3sed to liat are inof the e living nselves, »f God's mmand, all thy iig hcli- w many .IS break } of their a possi- 1, surely »'dom of I calling liere on work in are the FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 183 Great in Heaven. The Wonderful Tromise. words of your divine Master, " But whosoever shall do and teach them, (these commandments,) tlie same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Adieu, dear friend in Jesus. No. XXX.— TO MRS. B . Mark xi, 24—1 John v, 14, 15 — An illustration — Answers to prayer— " The faithful and true"—" In God will I praise his word"— The bank bill— The infidel minister — Faith and sense — The word per- sonified — An end of the difficulty. I RECEIVED your note of yesterday, in which you refer me to the interesting passage, Mark'xi, 24. I respond with pleasure ; but as my time is limited, I cannot hope to present you any very full expo- sition of my thoughts. The passage you refer to is in perfect keeping with 1 John v, 14, 15 : *' And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us. And if we know that he hear us, whatso- ever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." For illustration, let it be supposed that sister B is a dear friend from whom I expect great favors. The granting of these favors is conditional. She has made known her loill, involving a variety of points, and then referring me to this, snys, " Ask what you will, and if according to the principles laid down, I will grant it.' j> 184 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Faith in Mrs. B- IIow Ihavo obtained answers. If I have perfect confidence in sister B , after ascertaininfj whether what I desire can be i,n'anted in accordance with her will, I go with con- fidence, and present my petitions, believing that I receive them, because I have i/oiir word, assuriiij^ me that I shall have them. If a friend, meeting me on my return from your presence, asks, " Have thosf petitions been granted ?" I unliesitatingly answer, ''Yes" "But I do not see the result," says the friend. " That does not make the case doubtful," I reply ; " for sister B.'s word is as good as her bond, and I have her word, so you may rely upon it, just as firmly as though you saw me in actual possession of the thing desired." .The many gracious answers to prayer which I have received, on precisely the same principle, gi^'en in the illustration just pi'esented, eternity will reveal to the praise of God. But I would not defer it till I have passed the bounds of time, to exhibit ?lis faithfulness. His name is " faithful and TRUE." I love to testify, by my words and actions, before God, angels, and men; yes, and before infernals too, that I do rely on the faithfulness of God. I am willing, if this be the will of God concerning me, to be brought into circumstances which may call forth an exhibition of my trust in God before a congregated universe. This, I believe, has been the spirit by which I have been actuated for several ^^ rs. an be h coi^- that I Lcetiiijj; * Have itingly esult," le case FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 185 s good u may ;aw me ^hicli I inciple, ity will )t. defer xl libit JL and , before ifernals ]^od. icernmg cli may 1 before I as been several Who believes the Bible ? $100. " I have got it." years past ; I have had some thorongh tests by outward circumstances, and inward excircises, and to the praise of God I say, I have not cast away my confidence, nor made Siiipwreck of faith. We cannot honor God more than by trusting him, neither can we dishonor him more than by doubt- ing his word. David loved to praise the word of God. With him my heart often exclaims, "■ In God will I jyraise his ivord P^ Psalm Ivi, 10. Upon no other subject does my heart labor for utterance as upon this, and never do I find language so utterly inadequate to express the views and emotions of my full heart, as when trying to present the Holy Scriptures as the word of God. Should one ex- press on this point all that language would convey, and this before congregated thousands, many of the com'pany might indignantly respond, *' Who does not believe the Bible to be the word of God V And yet, dear sister B , Avho docs believe it ? It is a circumstance which does not seem to have arrested the attention of Christians generally, that a promise fully credited docs in itself convey the thing promised. Thus a person owes you one hundred dollars* You call for payment, and he hands you a bill for that amount on '^ The - Bank." " Did Mr. A pay you the amount he owed you?" asks a friend. " Yes," you say, '* and I have the money in my pocket." " Let us see it," continues the inquirer : whereupon you draw out IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /^^j. % C v\^ 1.0 I.I l^|28 ■ so *^™ J!^ lifi IIIIIIO 2.5 2.2 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 .4 6" — ^ V'- v: ^ ^ ^. /A op. i FhotDgraphic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) •73-4503 •'/ // v^ #? ^ ^ r/.

bedience to this command?" **No." "Why not?" "I cannot say why, unless it be my unbelief." Unhelicf! In what does he mean that he lacks confidence? Not in himself ; for he will tell you at once that he does not expect nny good thing from himself. Not FUAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 187 and one What ! believe without other evidence. What God writes he spcahs. in the ability of God to make him holy, for this he acknowledges. Give him the oft-repeated direction, " Cast your- self wholly on Christ for salvation from all sin, and then claim the promise, ' I will receive you,' and thus * cleanse yourself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God,* " what would he say in reply ? " What ! must I rely upon the word of God without any other evidence ?" As much as to say, " I do not conceive this to be a sufficient foundation for my faith to rest upon, and unless some external or in- ternal communication apart from, or added to this, be given, I cannot beheve that I receive the thing desired.'* ^^^^ Does not this imply unbehef in the Scriptures, as the voice of God? Were that voice audibly uttered, would it be doubted ? What makes the difference ? Infidelity ! Skepticism ! Doubting whether the written AVord be in reality the same as the voice of God. If that voice were heard it would be believed : it is not heard, therefore it is doubted. Can these doubting ones say with perfect truth, that they believe the Bie^e to be the word of God ? It is, therefore, I express my painful con- victions, that the Scriptures are not generally re- ceived as the word of God. Faith is not sufficient without sense. " Except ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe," is a reproof as truly desei^ed "n-.'viefi'f- iU I 188 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Divinity of the Word. Faith touches Clirist. now, as in the days of Christ. The Bible is the WORD OF God. The awful sublimity of this truth is strikingly exhibited in Rev. xix, 13 : " His name is called The Word of God." Here the word is per- sonified as Christ himself. Also John i, 1 : " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." " He that re- jecteth me and receiveth not my Word, hath One that judgeth him, the Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him at the last day." In many other passages is the word of God thus per- sonified, as identical with God himself. In relying upon it, efficacious influences ought to be expected as confidently, as were healing influences from touching Christ when he was on earth ; for in re- lying upon the word, we in verity rely upon Christ, and touch him as truly as though his bodily pre- sence were with us, and we were permitted to lean upon him. But who believes the Bible to be the word of God ? Does sister B ? Does brother B ? Lord help us to beheve it ; not as ii ** dead letter," but to apprehend it as spirit and life. Our difficulties about faith will all be at an end, when we believe the Bible to be the word of God. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. - . Yours, in the truth of the gospel. T' i??5'^"~'.?!^Ji5JK^. FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 189 * Believe that ye receive." Conditions. No XXXI.— TO MRS. B- ■j: Presumption taken for faith — Doctrines abused — The assertion, ♦* Believe that you have it, and you have it," not Scriptural— Im- portunate prayer unanswered— An unauthorized petitioner— The Pharisee — The seeker of sanctification — The lame and blind offered in sacrifice. The backslider's prayer — Divine direction sought in vain — Meddling with secret things — Why some parents cannot believe — Unholy hands lifted up. My Dear Sister in Jesus, — Again I address you in further answer to your inquiry in relation to the text, " What thiiigs soever ye desire wlien ye pray, beheve that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." In my former commimication on this theme, the Lord blessed me with gracious re- freshings from his word, while endeavoring to set forth his faithfulness. But the subject is so pre- eminently important, and so extensive in bearing, that I cannot feel satisfied without presenting some additional remarks, in order to a fuller illus- tration of my views. There are conditions which must be carefully net ; otherwise it is impossible really to believe that we receive. On this account, many who are continually asking and receive not, are disposed to regard this most precious passage as difficult to be understood. I have even heard those who have quoted it, as illustrative of tlie way in which the answer to their petitions had been appre- hended, found fault with as not being orthodox. 190 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS " Shall we give it up ?" False Version. No Answer. i I'll I am aware that there are those who have wrested this, as they do other scriptures, to their own destruction. But shall we give up a portion from our Father's hand so replete with instruction in simplifying the way of faith ? Shall we give it up, I ask, because it has been abused ? As well might we give up the doctrine of free grace, or salvation by faith ; for Universalists have abused the former, and Antinomians the latter. I have occasionally heard, with grief, the remark, from persons whom I have regarded as entirely sin- cere, " Only beheve you ha\ e it, and you have got it." This has been said when there Avas apparently an entire unfitness in the individual addressed for the reception of such an exhortation. And then, the phraseology is not Scriptural, and is liable to a C9nstruction wholly unauthorized by the passage of which it claims to be a version. But there are those who shrink from this text, imagining that their experience does not furnish corroborative testimony in favor of its truthfulness. They fix on some given point, relative to ,which frequent prayer has been made, and attempts to exercise faith long persisted in ; but in fruitless- ness of result they have turned despairingly away, conscious that the things desired had not been granted. Such may, on examination, find that they started from a wrong point. The thing desired I . FRAGMENTS FROM MY rOKTFOLlO. 191 started wrong. Tlio Pharisee. Traycr for Purification. may have been in accordance with the will of God, but the ^?e/^7^07^er may not have possessed the qualifications which, according to the principles of God's law, entitle him to a favorable hearing. As has been stated, a variety of points is here in- volved, a few of which only at present can be mentioned. In the first place, if he has come for pardon, his spirit may be unhumbled. It is only to the humble and contrite that pardon has been promised. " He shall save the humble person ;" *' He saveth such as be of a contrite spirit ;" " Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble ;" " Because thou didst humble thyself," &c. The unhumbled Pharisee went away, perhaps delighting himself w^ith the idea that his boastful service had been received as true homage. But did his believing it to be so make it really so ? Had his service been accepted, then the faithful and true Witness had gone aside from his word ; for by this he was as- sured that it was only " To this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." Another asks for the purification of his nature. " Can I doubt," says he, " whether it be in accord- ance with the will of God, that I should be * sanctified throughout, body, soul, and spirit?' No; *this is the will of God, even rny sanctification.' Surely I may now ask, and believe that I receive." He # ^> ': '"-'^■r..:.^' ■ fi '1( 192 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Prayer for Purity unanswered. Why. asks, but does not receive. Why ? Not because the petition is not in accordance with the will of God, but because there is an unwilhngness in him to comply with the conditions upon which the blcssii ^ave a brother who is a minister, and I have sisters filso who are professors of religion ; they have never t'llked with me in this way, and I am sure if I thought that they were in the perilous state in which you say I am, I could not rest day nor niglit without warning them." It was thus that Satan succeeded by the inactivity of these professors to quiet the conscience of this young man, who was possessed of talents for usefulness, which might liave told on the salvation of scores of souls, but who, from the course which his convivial propensi- ties inclined him to take, has probably finished his earthly career ere this. And upon whose skirts may his blood be found, when the Judge maketh inquisition ? I have seldom received more marked tokens of ,. FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 199 T» The People will not work. Hovt God works. erial . ob- )cca- sin- itary t ap- Iness been w my 3eedy it tbe )t ex- id, "I sisters 5 never re if I tate in r night [, Satan ;sors to lio was migbt uls, but ropensi- ihed his le sl^irts maketh okens of divine approval, with a deeper consciousness of the Spirit itself making intercession, than when plead- ing for a revival of the work of the Lord among you ; but after a better knowledge of your state, my heart with yearning emotions said. My prayer can- not now be answered. The people here are not now willing to have a revival by being workers together toith God ; and I well knew that in no other way could the petition be granted. Though the decree might have gone forth from the throne of God, you, brethren and sisters, may take upon yourselves the awful responsibility of making that decree null and void, by refusing to enter into the designs of God by being workers together with him. If you would have a revival, you must set yourselves apart to work and live for it, God works through human instrumentality, and if you would that he should work by you, you must put yourselves wholly in his hands — soul, body, and spirit — and then will your service be holy and ac- ceptable. Then when you are individually instru- mental in winning souls to Christ, how dear to your heart will be those who are newly brought into the fold ; how deeply will you feel the importance, .as nursinor fathers and mothers, of leading the babes in Christ into the more excellent way ; instructing them, by your example, to labor for the perishing around them ! Were your prayers answered for a revival on other premises, it might result in little III! "i lii-l i 1:1'! h more than an ingatht ring of the names of such as would clog the chariot wheels of the Saviour. But we must not forget that while the churcli lingers, death is doing his work ! One after another is leaving you. Are you ready to meet at the bar of God those of your congregation who may have died out of Christ? Are you prepared indi- viduaMy to say, that your skirts are clear of their blood? " Unitij is strength.^* If you would have a re- vival, the church must come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty. It is not left optional with herself whether she will obey the call of God or not. It is possible to stand on worse than neu- tral ground. My heart shrinks from appearing to be denunciatory, yet I must say, that unless favored with the blessing of God, we have his curse, and a bitter curse has been pronounced on tliose who come not up to the help of the Lord. " Curse ye Meroz," said the angel of the Lord, " curse ye bit- terly the inhabitants thereof, because they came not up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty." v». Your servant for Christ's sake. >*•■ :«* FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 201 jh as mrch other , the may indi- their a re- of the )lional tf God ,n neu- ring to avored se, and se who Lirse ye ye bit- f came of the stated Means. The Saviour slighted. No. XXXIII. -TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH. Neglect of the stated means— A remark of Mr. Wesley — An en- gagement to meet a friend— Who broke it ?— One in three at class —What Thomas lost— All stiong, and all at work—" Begin at my sanctuary" — Six left of three hundred— An estimate— Nursing fathers and mothers. . « Were I to mention what I have thought your characteristic deficiencies, I would place among . the most prominent your neglect of the stated means of grace. If you regard the church organ- ization, under which you have voluntarily placed yourselves, as a divine institution, you should of course regard its apppointments as heaven-di- rected. Mr. Wesley says, " In all ordinary mat- ters the voice of the church may be regarded as the voice of God." If so, then stated meetings, such as preaching, prayer, and class meetings, ought to be regarded as special seasons, at which the Lord Jesus has appointed to meet you. If such an appointment be slighted, does it not prove that you lightly estimate the presence of your Lord and Saviour ? Suppose a dear and influential friend to make arrangements for meeting you regularly, for the purpose of honoring and blessing you with his so- ciety : ever truthful, he comes at the hour speci- fied, but does not find you there ; often you are wholly absent; at other times you come quite b- ■\ if !!l'l't I:* i 202 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Too late. The Spirit came, but the church was not there. after the hour specified. Would this conduct bq calculated to assure your friend of your high re- gard for his friendship ? If your repeated slights should move him to come to the decision no more to meet you, were the result other than might have been reasonably expected ? and if an agree- ment* to meet you should be thus broken, who would be the breaker of the engagement V For a membership of three hundred not to num- ber more than one hundred out on lecture or prayer-meeting evening exhibits a sad deficiency ; yet, were you at your stated meetings to present even this proportion of your membership, it were more encouraging. Now can the Saviour believe that you as a people are greatly desiring the com- munications of his grace? Were the decree to pass his throne that on one of these stated occa- sions the Holy Spirit, in his reviving influences, should be poured out in unusual measure, how many of you would be as Thomas, who was absent when his Lord revealed himself to the other disciples ! < ' .fi 0, if you really desire a general work of God in your midst, often be in waiting, as were the early disciples, and, with one accord in one place, look for the full baptism of the Holy Ghost. If thus strengthened with the might of the Spirit, you may confidently expect to be called out individ- ually to work in the vineyard. FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 208 t bQ re- ghts nore light nrree- who num- re or ency ; resent t were }elieve 3 com- ree to I occa- lences, 5, how LO was to the God in le early ook for [f thus 'it, you individ- God's Ordination. God's Order. A Startling Question. Less sohcitude will then be felt about finely pol- ished . human instrumentalities, but a far more abiding reliance on the power of the Holy Ghost. This full baptism may be regarded as the act of ordination on the part of God, by which he em- powers his disciples with the might of Jiis Spirit, in order that they may bring forth much fniit, and that their fruit may remain. The history of the church presents but little fruit of revivals where the order of God has not been observed. " And begin at my sanctuary," is the voice of God. Tlie disciples were rirst bap- tized with the Holy Ghost and with fire, and then three thousand were converted in a day. I may never forget some instances which have come under my special observation, calculated to confirm my mind in these views. A startling question presents, and my pen has lingered whether to give it the tangibility of words. It is this: Does not Satan gain by some church ingather- inofs ? Let me instance. On one occasion, when in a stage-coach, about entering a place which two or three years pre\'ious had been favored with a gracious revival, the subject of religion was in- troduced to a gentleman sitting near me. " 0, religion is a very good thing if people would only keep it when they get it," said he, in a very signi- ficant mannei*. I inquired his meaning, when he informed me that almost every one in that place had * 204 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Disastrous Results of a Revival without Holiness. II M professed conversion but two or three years previ- ously ; and now scarce an individual of them could be found but had fallen away, and was worse than before. This relation pained me exceedingly, for I had expected to find the place as the garden of the Lord; and I well remembered the temptings of Satan, at the time the revival took place. I had been intimately acquainted with the minister under whose ministrations the revival occurred, and had once and again had earnest conversations with him relative to the order of God being observed ; that Jwlinees in the ministry and membership was important as a foundation for a revival. When this extraordinary ingathering was announced to me as having been brought about under his minis- . trations, the enemy tauntingly suggested that the position I had taken was not to be relied upon, and that the minister in question (who had the reputation of being a revivalist) would be abun- dantly satisfied that this order, though he at the time acknowledged it to be scripturally correct, was by no means important. But I still hoped that the state of religion in the place might not be quite so disastrous as represented, and soon afterward called on the minister for further information. I was told that out of the two or three hundred names taken in at that time, he did not think there were now as many as half a dozen on the church record, and he was by no means certain that one 1?RAGMENTS FROM MY PORtFOLIO. 205 previ- could • e than rjorl of the ngs of I had under nd had IS with jerved ; lip was When iced to s minis- , hat the i upon, had the le abun- ' 3 at the correct, 3ed that be quite [terward ition. I hundred nk there J church that one Diminished by Increase. One shall chase a thousand. remained steadfast. Probably there are but few such striking instances as this ; but, alas, hov/ often are scores of worldly minded professors en- rolled on the church record during seasons of in- gathering, who remain as weights, to retard Zion in her onward movements ! One truly Christlike professor would do more for a church than a hun- dred of such professors; for it is of such that " one shall chase a thousand." It has been said, one sanctified may be counted upon as equivalent to a score converted. O may heaven speedily register scores of sanctified ones among the Church ! then will you, as nursing fathers and mothers, receive to your embraces many who, by ^^the power of the Spirit, have been bom unto Zion. ** Wherefore we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill nil the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power ; that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen." Yours, in the faith and hope of the gospel. ^ . ■'■]&: w I 'A » [i: fi ! ? ; 'I 206 F i^H AND IT8 EFFECTS. A Book. Reading for the Commor. People. No. XXXIV.— TO . Memoir of Mrs. The common people— Good news— A com manding post — Ability equal to duty — Our calling as a church — " The high doctrines of our creed "— Mysteries— A popular young minister — Mr. Wesley's lasi, advice — How others regard us— A dilemma— Prufessor Disappointment — A Presb)rterian's opi- nion of a Methodist congregation— " What do ye more than others." Dear Brother, — ^We thank you for your early attention to our communication of July 4th. * * * * * * As to the publication in question I trust the only desire of her friends in regard to it, is to furnish yet another example of the power of grace to transform in heart and in life. If yet an- other may be taken from the walks of ordinary Christian life, and added to the Ust of Jesus's wit- nesses of full salvation, I stand ready to do all in my power to serve the religious commimity. Closer observations may perhaps convince me of a mistake, but at present I see not why a Me- moir of Mrs. may not company with a Car- vosso or a Rogers, though possibly of inferior in- trinsic interest to those very special examples of the power of grace. Should it not be an object of ambition witli us to furnish example and admo- nition for the common people? We may be in- structed on this point by an observation of St. Mark touching the Saviour's ministrations : " The common people heard him gladly." "% ^ '^ FRAGMENTS FilOM MY I'OnTFOLIO. 207 Holiness in High Places. Ability eqi 1 to Duty. A A com hurch— ,r young d us— A an's opi- )re than early 5stion I d to it, ^wer of yet an- )rdinary is's wit- io all in h ince me y a Me- 1 a Car- ;erior in- aples of object of i admo- y be in- n of St. s: "The We frequently receive communications from our mutual friends, Bishop and Mrs. . In one of her late communications, Mrs. say«, " Dr. is now in the enjoyment of the witness of holiness." This has been a subject of continuous tlianksgivings to God in your behalf. We rejoice in view of the bliss upon which you have entered : " For we who believe do enter into rest." We know that your heart has so Icmf/ been desiring vhe rest of perfect faith, and we have been so long in prayerful soli- citude for this object, that our hearts are indeed rejoiced. But though we greatly desired this be- cause of our love to you, and our earnest wish for your personal happiness and safety, yet we may say that our desires were much more enlarged in view of your position in the church, and the re- sponsibility, which, by virtue of this position, is laid upon you. We are prone to feel that this com- manding post has not been assigned you by the \ mere will of man, but by the will of God; and though our solicitude might move us to tremble for you while we hear you say, " Who is sufficient for these things ?" yet we well know that the Head of the church has not called you to a position which he will not empower you to sustain in all its various demands. To say otherwise would imply a belief that his ways are not perfect. Such an expression or thought were indeed impious. ; j . That the church may be presented to Christ ' •I ,' f I \ \y \W 208 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Our Banner. " High Doctrine." " Mysteries." ** without spot or wrinkle, or any such tiling," should surely be an object of primary interest with us as a people. Our responsibilities before God relative to the doctrine of Christian hohness are tremend- ous. The specific object for which the Wesley s were thmst out was "to raise a holy people. ^^ A dispensation of the gospel has been committed to us, and we stand forth marshaled before the world, under the banner, " Holiness to the Lord." I would not be captious, but will you excuse me while I venture a. few thoughts which were suggested by your last very interesting letter? Speaking of two very distinguished ministers, you say, "I could wish that such would preach the high doctrines of our creed : I sometimes regret the efforts made by inferior skill and low experience to proclaim these holy mysttiies." I confess, dear doctor, the expression, "high doctrines of cur creed," and " mysteries,^* elicited my jealousy. Does not the expression, " high doctrine," intimate something above ordinary attainment, as though the doctrine of holiness were something beyond the reach of the mass of professors ? Your words, I fear, give but about a truthful exposition of the views generally entertained on this subject. But in view of the position in which we stand to this doctrine, is it well that we should look upon it as among the " mysteries " of our holy religion ? Is it not because it is regarded in this light by very FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO 209 The Ministry and the Laity. " How did you iiSie the Discourse ?" should h us as relative emend- V^esleys \er A itted to 3 world, excuse ill were letter ? ers, you iach the ;gret the :perience ess, dear of cur jealousy. ' intimate 3 though r beyond iir words, 3n of the 3ct. But id to this ipon it as rion ? Is it by very many of our ministers, that it is not a matter of more general experience among the laity? Yet though your position may be truthful in the esti- mation of the church at large, and especially witli the majority of the ministry, I am obliged to ques- tion its utility. This may look like temerity, but the harmful tendencies of the course are so appa- rent to my own mind, that I dare not be silent. And yet I do not wonder that you should shrink from the ministrations of men of low experience and inferior skill. I have myself been placed in circumstances to sympathize with you herein. Some time since I heard a very popular young minister, who to my surprise took this as the theme of his discourse. But it was very evident that he could not say with Wesley, Fletcher, or Fisk, " We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen." He afterward questioned me as to my views of the discourse. I dared not do otherwise than point at deficiencies. He pleaded, by way of apology, that he had so many engage- ments, that he really had not time to look into these deeper things of God — these high a^.d holy "mysteries." Does this comport well with Mr. Wesley's last advice in relation to this our dis- tinguishing doctrine ? It reads thus : " Therefore, all our preachers should make a point of preaching perfection to believers constantly, strongly, and ex- plicitly ; and all our preachers should mind this 14 '- ^ -<< ; [/N 210 FAITH AND ITS EFFKCTb'. Our Doctrine. IIow others regard us. Dilemma. one thing f and continually agonize for it." If this sacred charge had been kept, we had doubtless liad scores of witnesses where we now have one. Then had we better fulfilled the desio-ns of God in raising us up as a people. Indeed, it is by this doctrine of holiness that we have been mainly distinguished from other denominations. Besides, our close identification with this doctrine is the aspect in which, as I have often had occasion to observe, other denominations mainly regard us. I have known numbers of those who had been sincerely opposed to the doctrine of Chris- tian perfection, who, on resolving to become Bible Christians, have found that holiness is a Bible doctrine. On perceiving this, their minds have at once been turned to us. Now, dear brother, what shall we do ? If this grace be held up as an attainment, so high that but few even among the ministry enjoy it, where shall we direct these in- quirers ? I do not ask this question as though it were a merely supposable dilemma. Such cases are more frequent than those who stand high in our church councils imagine. Would that it were not so : for were our responsibility in regard to this doctrine fully perceived by those in authority, then the note of alarm might be heard throughout our borders. To assure you that my solicitude is not needless, let me instance two or three cases in point. - :/ -- %■■ \\ ^ VN.'V -.j»."S,^,'>,' mma. Prof. FRAGMENTS I'iiOM MY I'OiaFOLlO. 211 Our Creed and our Hearts. What would you have said 1 If this loubtless ave one. )f God in s by this ill mainly Besides, ne is the occasion [y regard who had of Chris- lome Bible is a Bible linds have ir brother, Id up as an among the t these in- ^s though it those who ne. Would lonsibility in by those in ht be heard rou that my tance two or Professor , of whoso deep interest in the doctrine of Christian holiness you are fully aware, came to this city earnestly desiring to know tlie way of the Lord more perfectly. The first point of attraction was the M. E. ; imagining that the enjoyment of the witness of holiness Avas the general experience of our ministers, he expected here to elicit much light and a read}^ response to his feelings. But he soon found, that though holi- ness was our distinguishing doctrine as a people, neither our ministry nor membership were gene- rally distinguished by living in the enjoyment of it, as he had fondly anticipated, and with deep regret he mentioned his disappointment to us. What could we say ? — for surely this was calculated to paralyze his own efforts in the pursuit of it. At another time, a gentleman belonging to the Presbyterian Church had become so desirous of the blessing of full salvation, that the members of his own denomination had already begun to look at him as somewhat Methodistical. One evenin: f n i M ^ n 212 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. 1 in 50. Standard of Obligation. Raised for a Special Purpose eye over the assembled multitude, I could not see one in fifty who professed to be living in the en- joyment of that state. But is the state of our congregations, generally, more encouraging even than this? What does it avail that we hold this as a high doctrine of oiir creed ? The fact of doing so but increases our obligations an hundred fold. It is the servant who knows his Lord's will, and does it not, that is to be beaten with many stripes. Un- less we have witnesses to substantiate our theory, what do we more than others ? " Ah, what avails superior light !" That there are so few comparatively among the membership who profess to enjoy the blessing may be attributed to the fsict, that there is so little ex- plicit and experimental testimony among the min- istry on this point. Our dear brother is placed in a position to " begin at the sanctuary." You may remember that when you were so ill, that you en- tertain jd but little hope of ever again engaging in active service, we even then indulged the expecta- tion that God might raise you up for the special 2)urpose of arousing the ministry on this all-im- portant topic. But where shall I stop ? I fear I may weary you, and hasten to an item of business upon which we have been desired to address you. * >k Ht % * % Ht Adieu, dear brother ; pray for us that *' God may v»- lal Purpose i not see n the en- e of our ••ino: even as a high ng so but d. It is nd does it pes. Un- ur theory, among the essing may so httle cx- jT the min- is phiced in You may hat you en- enfraoinor in he expecta- the special this all-ira- )? I fear I L of business iddress you. * t " God may FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 213 Property. Given by God. Unequally bestowed. fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness in us, and the work of faith with power." Yours, ^osi)ered him :'* and no duty, on any poiiil, can be moi-e clearly demonstrated than this, viz.: that it is a duty to give according to the ability which God has given. For a man, then, who is worth ^20,000, to give no more than one worth ^1,000, oilier things being equal, is absolutely sinful. This may seem severe ; but if it be absolutely sinful to disobey God, then he who does not give accordiny to his ability, or, in other words, as God hath prospered him, is guilty of disobedience. I hope I may not soom to favor that destroyer •>^'' 216 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Piety may coexist whh Wealth, t 11 I !l u of Christian unity, censoriousnesff, which is not un- frequently indulged by a class of persons who would unchristianize everything they cannot bring down to their own level. From the early ages of the world there have been different classes in community. Abraham, who was eminently the friend of God, was rick. From his history, we may conclude that the posi- tion in the society in which he moved was com- manding. David, the man after God's own heart, was a king, and of course was surrounded with the trappings of royalty. The 'devout meditations and the inspired hymns of the Psalmist, which furnish such precious food for the humble, holy soul, were many of them, doubtless, written in a king's palace. It would be ^vil for those who are disposed to condemn such as have been raised, in the order of God, to a position somewhat above themselves, to remember this. Joseph of Arimathea, the rich disciple, went and craved the body of Jesus, though the other disciples had forsaken him in his hour of greatest peril. Joseph was not ashamed to avow himself a disciple now, though adherence to his Lord ex- posed him to contumely and scorn. Duties would not have been laid down, regulating the conduct of the poor and rich — of masters and servants — were not such duties recognized by God. I was not long since in a little company, Avhere FRAGMENTS PROM MV PORTFOLIO. 217 not un- ms who ot bring re have braham, ras rick, the posi- v^as com- vn heart, with the tions and 1 furnish )ul, were 's palace, posed to I order of selves, to Die, went the other f greatest w himself Lord ex- ies would e conduct ervants — ny, where ^^^^^^^^i^.^S^^^'* "All Things common." An Income spent for God. the unity of the Spirit was marred by a little con- versation, which ran about thus. The case of a deeply pioiB minister, who was reputed to be rich, was mentioned. A Christian brother remarked, by way of reference to this minister, that if the same kind of religion prevailed at the present day, as prevailed in the days of the apostles, the same effect would be produced ; that is, we should have " all things cmnmonJ* A friend, who greatly valued the Christian character of the minister in question, observed, that he was yearly, by his be- nevolent operations, consuming more than the inte- rest of his money, and if the principal were expend- ed, his ability to do good in this way must cease. This did not satisfy, and a censorious spirit, which ever seems to possess some infectious quality, was communicated to a friend present, who said, that she "never could understand hew an individual could have the spirit of his Master, and yet see the heathen perishing, without giving up all he pos- sessed." The minister's friend endeavored to main- tain, by way of argument in his defense, that if the principal were expended, his present mode of doing good to thousands must cease, and that he could not, therefore, as a faithful steward, give up the entire of his property for present expenditures ; but the brother who, perhaps, had never possessed means calculated to test his own fidelity on this point, remained unyielding in the opinion, that if the Illiberal Views. An Inconsistency. principles of holiness prevailed, a community of in- terests would be the result. These views being very confidently expressed, bore heavily on a deeply devoted person present, who was possessed of more means than either of the fonner, and who, doubtless, was far more liberal than those who, by their opinion, had condemned her. And thus the interview ended. It is because I have known several cases where the unity of the spirit has been so sadly marred by similar views, that I have taken time to present this subject more fully. It is true, I cannot well apprehend a state of holiness, as otherwise than comprehending all with Avhich we stand connected. The idea of being wholly the Lord's, and yet with- holding our property from Ills control, implies an utter inconsistency. Yours truly. No. XXXVI.— TO MR. J . A stumbling block. — *' One hundred dollars instead of si.\" — Tlie wealthy father and liis two sons— Jacob's vow— Large income foi the Lord's treasury — A broken vow — Obstacle to religious pios perity — Tests of fidelity — David's view of liberalily — SysteniaUr mode of giving— The tenth devoted — " Giveth and yet incrnasetli" — Missionaries. ' . Dear Brother J — . It is because some seem to practice on the principle that they may be wholly the Lord's, and yet not exhibit the fruits of holi- ness in relation to giving, that the good way has FRAGMENTS FROM MY TORTFOUO. 219 Worth $100,000. Gives $100. Two Sons spoiled. y of iii- 3 being , deeply sed of id wlio, »vlio, by hxLS the s where irred by present not well ise than nnectcd. '^et with- iplies an aly. ■ six"— The 1 income foi igious pro.-i -Systenialir increasetli" me seem 3e wholly s of holi- way has often been evil spoken of. The eye of my mind is now restinoj on one who is said to be worth about $100,000. The amount ho expends in benevolent operations does not probably exceed $100 per ann. ; whereas, if he should but give the tenth, as was required under the Jewish dispensation, he would put at least |5G00 into the Lord's treasury yearly. But why should n follower of Christ, " who, thougli he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich " — why should such a one wish to hold so large an amount of his Lord's goods in his hands, while souls, for whom his Saviour died, are perishing in ignorance and want? I can assure you, brother J , I would not be willing that my Lord should come and find me with so much of his goods hoarded up. I was acquainted with two individuals, profes- sors, of very dissimilar character, who have both gone to their account. The first died probably worth about 80 or $100,000, leaving his property to two unconverted sons, one of whom soon dis- posed of his portion by careless expenditures, making it of little account either to himself or others. His brother concluded that it were better not to risk his share in the chances of business, and consequently hoards it up, and is leading a life of idleness. Thus, what might have been expended by the father in laying up treasure in heaven, by spreading the light of the glorious gospel, is being ! t spent by these sons, (who were spoiled by youth- ful indulgences,) in that which has been telling only to their hurt. In view of the reckonings of eternity, when such fathers shall be called to render an account of their stewardship, does it look de- sirable to die rich ? The case of the other friend differs widely. . He commenced his business career with a solemn re- solve to acknowledge God in all his ways. With the patriarch Jacob, he took upon himself a solemn vow, " Of all tJuit tibou shalt give me, I will surely give the tenth unto thee^ He also resolved, that he would never be what the world might term a rich man. Though at first he was often in straits, yet he had much to assure him that his vow was not unrecognized by God. He once related to me the following : — " Calling one morning, as he went to his office, on a poor member of Christ's family, he found her unexpectedly destitute. He had but one dollar in his pocket, and he hesitated whether he could with propriety give it, but believing tliat she needed it more than himself, he gave it. During that day he made sixty dollars, and so sure was he that God had rendered him sixtyfold, that the enemy urged upon him afterward the singular temptation, that it would seem like bribing God to restore unto him sixtyfold, should he still persist in calling on the poor before engaging in the business of the niAOMENTS FROM MY rOKTFOUO. 221 youth- telling ngs of render ok de- V' . He mn re- Wilh solemn ' surely id, that term a straits, ow was d to me s office, und her iollar in Lild with eeded it ^hat day he that 3 enemy iptation, ore unto liling on s of the Thousands a Year for God. A Broken Vow. day. During some portions of his life he was so greatly prospered of God, that, in fulfillment of his vow, he was enabled to put into the Lord's treasury several thousands yearly. He on one occasion re- lated to me the case of a young friend, a member of his Bible class, who, by his advice, was induced to take upon himself the same sacred vow. This friend, at the time of his engagement, had a mother and sister under his care, and was receiving a salary of about $300. He devoted the tenth, and was enabled to live comfortably. The next year his salary was raised to $500. He still adhered to his vow, and abounded, of course, in yet greater comforts at home. His employers continued to increase his salary, until it amounted to $1200 per annum. He had for some time been uneasy from the idea that he was giving' too much — more than persons, in his circumstances, generally gave, &c. Mentioning this to his friend and adviser, he observed, that he thought he ought to lay up more, as his mother was getting old. At last he yielded to the tempter, and actually ceased to perform his vow. He soon made " shipwreck of faith and a good conscience." Mr. continued faithfully to render unto the Lord according to his ability, until called to give an account of his stewardship. I am sure that the day of eternity will reveal much sin lying at the door of the church on ac- I ' ilH 222 FAITH AND JTS EFFECTS. Leanness. IIow God could feed the Poor. David's Pieinai k. count of her deficiencies in giving. If men could beliold the causes of spiritual leanness as God sees them, they would doubtless discover in this sin of covctousness the chief obstacle to the religious prosperity of thousands. " He that soweth spa- ringly shall reap sparingly." " God loveth the cheerful giver." The T^ispenser of all good could say, Be ye warmed and be ye clothed, to every destitute being throughout the world, or could feed them by the hand of angels, as Elijah was fed, if it were not to test the fidelity of those to whom he has intrusted a sufficiency to meet this object. In like manner might every benevolent operation of the day, for the diffusion of light and truth, be sustained by means and influences wholly super- natural, if it were not that our gracious Lord has designed that we be workers together with him. But surely the ability to give ought to make us humble. With David we might say, *' Who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? /or all things come of thee, and of thine own have v)e given tlvee^ David apprehends a principle of giving which is not enough thought of, in the words. Shall I sacrifice that which " doth cost me tiothing .^" I knew a husband and wife who commenced life with good ordinary prospects. They had not fixed their calculations on being rich. When object« of benevolence presented, they generally gave naik. could d sees sill of ligious h spa- th the could every could as fed, whom object, eration uth, be super- 3rd has h. him. lake us am T, able to things n thec.^* ^hich is Shall I iced life ot fixed objects y gave fragmp::nts from mv puutfulio. 223 A Husband and Wife. The Tenth. A Full Treasury. ill about an equal measure with the circle in which they moved, which was often composed oi' persons of much larger means than themsehi's. They, perhaps, never really thought that they gnw too much. Still, when in the act of giving, the luxury of doing good might at times have been a little lessened by the thought, " Can I do this, and yet be just toward all men ?" One day the wife said, " Husband, let us have some systematic mode of gi^^ng. Suppose we fix- on the tenth." " I think we give more than tliat nov*-," he replied. " But everything," said the wife, " with which our heavenly Father has to do, is systematical ; such beautiful order and symmetry pervade all his works, that we may well believe ' Order is heaven's lirst law.' and we can easily give more afterward if needful ;" and a conclusion was made that the tenth should be sacredly devoted. The result was, that they immediately found that the Lord's treasury was more fully replenished. Not a reasonable demand , when, as faithful stewards, th^y had a right to b(;- lieve they ought to give, but could be in a moment met : not from their oivn treasury — no, it was only for them to dart a prayer to heaven, and say, " Mj^ heavenly Father, does this object meet thine ap- proval?" and all was at once settled. A fact in connection with this mode of giving should be stated. Though they gave more than formerly, -r 224 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS I ' "Scattercth, yet increaseth." " Why not give all ?" The Missionary. yet their means increased, so that they soon be- came possessed of a competency sufficient to meet ordinary emergencies. But they still maintained their former views relative to laying up treasures on earth. 1 have heard them say, " We never in- tend to be richy If so, should they continue to pros- per, I think it may not be long before they will be able to devote a fifth, and so on, until the whole be offered up to God. And why should nut tradesmen, merchants, or professional men, as assi duously endeavor to prosecute a business with an intention of devoting its proceeds wholly toward promoting the interests of the Redeemer ? I won- der why the Christian world does not furnish more examples of this kind. I have heard that such may be found who are thus manifesting their de- votedness to Christ. Yet, do even such exhibit as much devotedness as the missionary, who not only sacrifices all his time, but often also health, friends, and all the dear delights of ripe society ? In love, &c. FRAGMENTS FROM MY rOUTFOUO. 225 issionary. )on bc- to meet ntained •easures ever in- to pros- r will be ,e whole uld not , as assi with an ' toward I won- ish more lat such their de- xhibit as not only I, friends, ^^e, &c. The Great Tli(!mo. Soinctliing VVoiiderful. No. XXXVII.— TO REV •' Why cannot I believe ?"— Plain dealing— An elevated position in the churcii — IIovv attained — Our reputation belongs to God — Ex pulsions from the ministry — '* Why insist on terms ?"— A resolve to stand or fall with truth — Ashamed of Christ's words— The sin of ignorance — Acknowledgment — Objection to Scripture phrase- ology — Paul's conduct — Reputation — Not resigned to Christ — " IIow can ye believe?" — Fellowship with Ilirn who made him- self of no reputation — Christ's benediction on the outcast. Rev. Sik, — My mind has been prayerfully interest- ed for you ever since our first interview. 1 re- joice that your mind has become so powerfully- influenced relative to the privilege of the believer. What more important theme than that of salvation from sin in the present life ! Unless we are re-*«^ deemed from all iniquity, and, as witnesses foro Christ, live in the enjoyment of that state, tthe purpose for which Christ was manifest in the flesh remains unaccomplished. And how wonderful, with the Bible as the acknowledged standard of our faith and practice, that the doctrine of holiness, or entire sanctification, should have become a matter of controversy ! Yet, with those who love the truth in sincerity, and who consult the lively oracles for themselves, instead of following the traditimis of men, this glo- rious doctrine will not long remain questionable. I am, indeed, most happy to know that your scruples have at length been wholly removed. But yet you 15 220 FAITH A^D ITS EFFECTS. " Why can't I believe ?" Eminence. " Wlio gave it ?" \k * ri h '. h'i '\ il i say, that you do not experimentalhj know of this doctrine. You, for some time past, have greatly desired this enjoyment, but why you are not en- abled to believe and receive the end of your faith, witli you yet remains inexplicable. I am happy to hear you say that the hinderance, whatever it may be, is with yourself, for you judge Him faith- ful who hath promised, who also will do it, as soon as you comply with the conditions upon which it is promised. I have conversed with many, who, to my mind, seemed to be on similar ground with yourself, and perceive what I imagine may hinder your faith from laying hold on the promises. I believe you wish plain dealing, and that as you Iiave no fault to find with your Saviour, you would gladly know where the fault may be. I know you will give God all the glory, when I allude +0 the fact, that you occupy a commanding position in the Christian world. In the order of Providence, you have influence with prominent men in the ministry and the laity, who are opposed, some of them violently, to the doctrine of salvation from all sin in the present life. By your pen also, you are favorably known in the literature of tlie day, and thus stand before the Christian commu- nity of Europe and America as a theologian of sin- cere, earnest, and enlightened piety. Now, should I ask you how this commanding position was at- tained, in looking back upon every step which you h. FRAGMENTS FROM MV rORTFOLIO. 227 IV eitT" Is your Reputation surrendered ? The Alternative. ^y of this e greatly } not en- our faith, m happy liatever it lim faith- it, as soon which it is y, who, to Dund with [lay hinder omises. I lat as you you would ry, when I )mmanding le order of ninent men e opposed, of salvation u- pen also, tiire of the iaii commu- )L!;ian of sin- s^)W, should ion was at- ) which you have ascended, you would acknowledge the help- ful Spirit of grace, and with humility and gratitude you would ascribe to God, glory in the highest. Then you know that your reputation already belongs to God. Have you rendered, or are you now ren- dering, it back to Him ? Let me, as in the presence of the high and holy One, solemnly urge your prayerful examination of yourself on this point, for here I think you may find the difficulty. Is it your intention that the avowal of your belief in this doctrine shall be coextensive with your influence ? You now in blameless reputation stand enranked with men who have thrust from their midst those who were, and are now, experimental witnesses of the attainment of holiness. The blamelessness of their lives, and their increased zeal and success in winning souls to Christ, were fully and freely ad- mitted by the brethren who refused them church fellowship. " But your doctrine ! That is what we do not like." " Holiness, sanctification, or Christian perfection — these are terms which we do not ap- prove. Renounce them, and you are still one with us, and together we will fight against sin, the world, and Satan. Refuse, and we use the awful power delegated to us by the Head of the church, and we not only thrust you from our ranks, but we depose you from the Christian ministry, and henceforth you are to us as a heathen man and a publican." 228 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. " Why not call it Consecration ?" Ashamed of Christ's words. And why could not these dear brethren accede to your wishes, and call the state into which the Saviour had brought them, a state of ''consecra- tion," or *' the assurance of faith," instead of sanc- tification or holiness?- Because, the doctrine of entire sanctification and holiness is set forth as you acknowledge you have found it, clear as noon-day, in the Bible, and they had in reality given themselves up to be as their Master, even *' of no reputation," and they had also fully pur- posed to stand or to be thrust out with the truth. Jesus, the way and the truth, was with them, and when you thrust them out because they were not ashamed of Christ and his words before this adulterous generation, did not the Saviour say to the hearts of those of you who had thus proved that you were ashamed of his words, '* Of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed before his Fatlier and the holy angels ?" In the judgment of Christian charity it may doubtless be said of some of them, " Brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it :" but does this make repentance and confession less necessary ? " If we confess our sins, he is ftiithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un- righteousness." If the condition be not complied with, that is confession, the first point in the pro- cess is not met, and of course forgiveness and cleans- ing cannot follow. Eternal consequences hang V. FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 229 words. accede icli the msecra- 3f sanc- brine of brth as jlear as L reality :er, even illy pur- le truth. \i them, ley were fore this ir say to s proved him also lis Father it may -ethren, I but does eccssary ? id just to )m all un- complied the pro- ud cleans- ices hang The Creed and the Bible. " Wliy must I use those Words ?" upon your prompt compliance with this condition. Is the purification of the heart by faith a light matter, when God hath said, "Without holiness vo man shall see the Lord .^" I am aware that it is a doctrine of your creed, as a people, that salvation from all sin may not be expected until the hour of the soul's dismission from the body ; but you have frankly acknowledged, in social intercourse with friends who have embraced the same views of truth as yourself, that the Bible does not authorize this creed. The Sun of righte- ousness has risen upon your heart, and you see and feel that you must be saved from sin, and in the daily epistle of your life and conversation exhibit the power of Christ to save. Yet, should the Lord bring you into this state of salvation, you are not willing to come out and confess it in Scriptural words. " Why, when these words are so objection- able," you ask, " should I be required to use them ? May I not live in a state of entire devotion to God, and profess the assurance of faith, and entire con- secration to the service of Clirist, without using the objoctionable words, holiness or sanctification, and ilms save my reputation, that I may be more ex- tensively useful ?" No ! for then would the offense of the cross have ceased. And the very idea seems to imply, that you were to be in some way the gainer by being ashamed of the words of Christ. " But does not Paul speak of being all things to 230 FAITH AND IT5 EFFECTS. Paul. The Honest Avowal. Reputation versus Truth. •i 'i Hi all men, that he might gain some ?" As well might Paul have maintained his rank among the persecu- tors of his Lord, after he had ceased his hostilities, from a persuasion that if he should lose his repu- tation with them, he might remove himself from a position in which he might be useful to them. Whereas, the very fact of his having been in re- putation among the Jews, " having sat at the feet of Gamaliel and been taught according to the per- fect manner of the law of the fathers, being zealous toward God, and persecuting this way unto death ;'* was a very commanding reason why he should come out, when convinced of his error, as a zealous promoter of truth, and en- deavor that his influence and zeal in defense of the truth should be coextensive with vhat they had been in defense of error. I would not intimate that you have persecuted this way : what your former course may have been is not known to me, but this I know, that you noiv feel not only a union in doctrinal sentiment, but a sweet cleav- ing of Spirit to those who profess to enjoy this grace. But so careful are ^ou of your reputation, that even in this you are seemingly afraid of being brought out. Why all this, if your reputation were not dearer to your heart than truth ? 0, be no more ashamed of Christ and his words. Has he given you honor ? Lay this thy gift also upon the altar ; and if you value your hope of eternal life, 'ruth. 1 might ersecu- stilitios, s repu- f rom a sm. n in re- the feet he per- being 31S way- reason iced of and en- 56 of the hey had intimate lat your lown to not only 6t cleav- ijoy this putatian, of being :ion were 0, be no Has he upon the lal life, FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 231 " One Thing thou lackest." " How can ye bcUeve ?" think not more of the gift than of tlie altar upon which your gift is sacrificed, and by whicli it is sanctified. How soon may the gift wliich is not used in promoting the divine glory be withdrawn from you ! You may in sincerity have thought that you were living in a state of entire consecration ; but unless you have laid your reputation, as Avell as everything else, upon the altar, you are not thus living before God. To be candid, from the first interview I had with you, I have believed this to be the difficulty in the way of your exercising that faith which brings into the enjoyment of pre- sent salvation from sin. If a Jew had brought to the altar a sacrifice which he knew to be in any degree impei-fect, Avould he have any authoiity from the word of the Lord for believing it holy, acceptable ? Imagine that he had lingered long at the altar in most earnest desire for the reception of his gift, would the God of the altar have been moved, because of his importimity, to accept and seal the blemished oftering? As well might wo imaiiine that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ could deny himself, and that with him were variableness and turning. " Hoio can ye be- lieve which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comethfrom God only?^^ The mention of this passage remiiids me of a dear friend, who for years stood about in the same experience and belief as yourself. I may also say. u 1:4 1 '/m m i I iijll ill m I FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. The Short and Easy Way. Christ's Example. Come out. that he was a minister in • good repute in your communion. One day, after he had been speaking of the many years he had been a believer in the doctrine of hoUness, and of his earnest dt Ires for the blessing, 10, which, though he is now absent from us, have been gained in part through his instrumentality ; in answer to your re- quest, for your friend, who though poor in this world, is, it seems, rich in faith. Heaven's nobility often goes incog here on earth. It is an honor to be coveted to be counted meet " After our lowly Lord to go, And serve the heirs of heaven below." And now, what cheer, dear brother ? Is your blessed Saviour still in close companionship with you ? Let me say, to tlie praise of his grace, that I have never proved his sustaining power more FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 235 n Faith. shall hate from their ,st out your ;. Rejoice % for great manner did s, &c. Dead. Former Views recur. Can you do it ?" rit ou the sub* i^en -The force gel on earth ; y boast in ti\e 1 of brother ich, though ned in part to your re- oor in this jn's nobility m honor to ? Is your Dnship with grace, that ^ower more gloriously than of late. The significant passage, ** For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God," has been apprehended in my recent ex- perience so deeply, that language fails to expicss what I would say. Some views which I received on the memorable hour, when I was permitted, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, to enter within the veil, have recurred to my mind with much force within a few days. They were the communications of the Spirit, and, as such, I am sure will ever be useful to me. I do not remember ever to have mentioned them to you, and it has been urged upon my mind, that it may be well to present them to my beloved brother. Just prior to the reception of these views, it had been suggested that I might be called to testify of this grace before hundreds and thousands. In view of this, it was proposed, " Can you do it ?" I was startled at the thought ! Not from an unwilling- ness to profess the blessing before an assembled universe, if such were the will of God concerning me ; but the remembrance came up before me, of the many times I had resolved to confess Christ before men, and had failed by yielding to the plau- sible reasonings of the deceiver. " How possible to mistake duty !" with a variety of similar suggestions, would be urged, until the opportunity had passed, and when too late, my foe stood ready to taunt me . f f r 236 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. n ii Suggestion. A Member of the Body. I will rather die than yield with the victory he had gained. And now it was suggested, that this was the way I should lose the blessing, and you will not wonder that I was start- led at the thought. I saw it ' was necessary that some principles should be established in my mind, relative to what might constitute duty on this point. The matter was resolved thus. On any occasion, when I had reason to believe that a declaration of what God had done for my soul might be helpful to my own spiritual interests, even though another might not be specially benefited, this should fix the duty re- lative to my own soul, and might have a bearing upon my neighbor also, inasmuch as I was but a part of the great body, and, for the ultimate good of the whole, it was needful that I should be in a healthful state. You may at once perceive by analogy, how duty to my neighbor, in relation to confession, was made plain also. After perceiving what should consti- tute duty, I was enabled to resolve, that if it liter- ally cost me my life to go forward, I would make that sacrifice rather than yield to the shrinkings of the flesh. It was at tills point that the Lord gave me to see more fully the nature of the blessed state upon which I had entered. I had said, " Into thy hands I commit my spirit, for thou hast redeemed me, Lord God of truth." It was suggested, Had your s FRAGMENTS FROM MY TORTFOLIO. 237 than yield ow it was d lose the was start- principles TQ to what he matter hen I had what God o my own might not e duty re- a bearing ^vas but a nate good lid be in a how duty was made lid consti- if it liter- ould make inkings of ave me to state upon thy hands ned me, Had your A Soul committed to God. We belong in Heaven. •1 i spirit actually returned to the God who gave it, at the time you made this solemn surrender, and were ii said, after having mingled for a little time in adoration with the burning spirits before tlie throne. You are now required to return for a little time to earth, to confess Christ before men, as a Saviour, able to save unto the uttermost, would you hesitate in declaring the object of your mission before hundreds and thousands? I at once perceived that I would have no more to do Avith the world, so far as being influenced by its opinions, than would Gabriel, or any inhabit- ant of heaven who might be commissioned for the performance of a work on earth ; and my burning spirit only needed an angel's wing to bear it througli the habitable earth, to proclaim "full salvation through faith in the blood of the Lamb." I now apprehended in my experience the meaning of the prayer, " Thy will be done in earth as it is done in heaven." The beautiful words of our poet, — " Let us, to perfect love restored, Thine image here retrieve, And, in the know^ledge of our Lord, The life of angels live," — had power and point in them. In experimental verity I now realized the truth of the Saviour's words : " Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth y^ u." How unreasonable did it appear to expect sympathy from the world, Christ's avowed cneniy ! 238 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. An Angel on Earth. Fidelity. Zeal. ill' |:' i lin t i Let us conjecture, dear brother H , what might Ije the sentiments that would inspire one of those angel spirits who have been centuries past doing the will of God in heaven. Were it said to such a one, You are commissioned by the will of your holy Sovereign to perform a mission to earth. It may require threescore and ten years of time, ac- cording to earthly computation, and while there, you must lay aside your angel wing, and your flaming spirit must be enshrined in just such a form as mortals wear, and to the various vicissi- tudes to which men are subject you must submit, lie comes ! But conceive the sentiments which in- spire him to action. Is he influenced to be as much like the world as he may be, or does his ardor, in the perfoimance of his work, reprove the world, and show a regardlessness of its smiles or frowns'^ And in relation to the reception of his message, has he not such an assurance that it is not his oivTij but the message of his I^ord, as to make it hi? only concern to deliver it faithfully y that he may, in the most expeditious manner, ac- complish his great work ? Think you not that the aspirations of his heaven-bom soul might incline him to efforts far more ardent than the children of this world, or even some professed Christians, might think necessary ? And now, let me make my boast in the Lord, and say, Some vhat similar are the sentiments which f l!,t, FRAGMENTS FROM MY I'OHTFOLIO. 239 ;al. lat might of those ast doing d to such 11 of your earth. It time, ac- lile there, and your ist such a )us vicissi- ist submit. s which in- L to be as ir does his •eprove the s smiles or ition of his e that it is [iOrd, as to faithfully^ manner, ac- lot that the ight incline children of tians, might n the Lord, nents which I ■ The Author's Experience. Inquiries. have influenced my heart ever since I was enabled, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to set myself apart wholly for God. what a deadness to the world do I continually realize ! I have received the sen- tence of death in myself, that I shou^ 1 not trust in myself, but in Him that raiseth the dead, and I experimentally apprehend that he hath raised me to entire newness of life. I feel that I have but one work, and that is to do the will of my heavenly Father. Heaven is my /^omc. Christ is my >Say/oMr. Exalted be his name for ever ! Yours, &c. No. XXXIX.— TO REV. MR. M- Questions proposed — " What is the witness of the Spirit ?" — Wes- ley's definition— *' He that beUcveth hath the witness"— A pro- missory note — Ten years' experience — Whether we beheveor not is matter of consciousness — " What are the evidences of entire sanctification ?" — "The Spirit itself beareth witness" — "By what marks may we know that we are entirely sanctified?" — Sympathy with Christ— The mind of Christ — Continuous walking in Christ. Our beloved brother M.*s letter should not have remained so long unanswered had time permitted an earlier reply. You make several important in- quiries which it would give me much pleasure to answer were my abilities equal to my wishes. Not that I regard the subjects of inquiry obscure, for to my mind they appear plain, but because, as one says, " it is hard to find words, in the language of I .en, to explain the deep things of God." ■^ 240 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. ■' i . I l!l-i Ihl H • I . ;(-i|i I. ! 1 • I Witness of the Spirit. Wesley's Views. " What is the witncfis of the Spirit i'''' sttmds fust ill importance among yom* riuestions. In answer to this incjuir}', Mr. Wesley says something I'lvC this, " It is an inward impression on the soul, whereby the Spirit of God immediately and directly witnesses to our spirit, that the grace which wo have desired is imparted." With me, this w^itness haS; I think, invariably bcni given the moment I have umvavcriiKjhj belie\ed God. We liave re- ceived of that Spirit whereby we liuow the things freely given to us of God. li)e Spirit tscJf bear- otli Avitness Avith our spirit. In all my experience God has honored an implicit reliance on his ivord, and immediately on believing, my heart is ready to exclaim, " He that hcUeveth, hath the witness in himself." I cannot Avell conceive how it may be otherwise, than that the believing one should receive, and in conscious possession enjoy, the precise object whicli his faith has grasped. According to our faith it is done unto us. '* Said I not unto thee. If thou Avouldst believe, thou shouldst see the salvation of God ?" Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. If I may have so much confidence in the promissory note of a fellows-man, as to make it nt once available for whatever articles I may need in food, raiment, t^c, wuth how much stronger confidence inay I say of the promissory notes of my heavenly Father, " Faith ■ I ■ \ FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 241 ews. stands fu'st In {inswer ctliinu: I'kc the soul, md directly ! which we this witness I moment I Je have re- the things 'iself bear- ■f experience xi his ivord, t is ready to e >Yitness in )e otherwise, ceive, and in object whicli >ur faith it is hee. If thou i salvation of gs hoped for, ■ I may have iry note of a available for raiment, Slc, ly I say of the ither, "Faith Christ the Word of God. " He that beheveUi hath the Witness." is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen !" Christ says, " The words I spiiak imto you they are spirit and they are life.^^ And where are the wond3rful words thus endued wi :h sjyirit and life to be found ? Surely it were wisdom to know, for who would have the temerity to pronounce a faith resting on these liveli/ oracles, a dead faith ? ' Say not in thine heart. Who shall ascend into lieaven ? that is, to bring Christ down from above ; or, Who shall descend into the deep ? that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead. But what saiili it ? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy lieart ;" here the Word is used as being identical with Christ — the eternal Word speak- ing in person. Thus it is, that I apprehend, in resting upon the Word, I rest upon Christ as truly as thoufjh the Word were aijain made flesh and dwelt among us. These important truths, I trust, I have realized in my experience for more tlian ten years past, and it looks to me strangely incongruous for one to say, " I believe, and yet have not the witness in myself." This form of ex- pression, or something similar to it, is not unusual with many sincere persons, who probably do not perceive the enormity of their fault. In our com- munications with each other, each is conscious whether he has confidence, and reposes unwaver- ingly, on the words of the other. How unreason- 16 LI. y^ tiii, : ; 242 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. What is the Evidence of Entire Sanctification ? M<|i V I %M i ■!: I, able then is the idea, that we now receive the com- munications of tlie Holy Spiiit through the written word, and not have the witness, or, in other words, tlie internal consciousness that we do believe ! '' What is the evidence of entire sanctifica- tion?" is another inquiry. How might an offerer at the Jewish altar arrive at an evidence that his offering was sanctified ? In the first place, God had explicitly made known just the sacrifice re- quired, and the manner in which it should be pre- sented. If the offerer had complied with these requirements, he, of course, knew that he had done so, or in other words, had the testimony of his own spirit to assure him of this fact. In immediate connection with this, the witness of the Holy Spirit is given as a consequence of relying upon the faith- fulness of God. The moment his offering was laid upon the altar, he had the evidence of God's word that his oftering was sanctified. ** But is there not an evidence apart from the word ?" The Holy Spirit always speaks to my heart by the word, and when I believe it, let me again say, that I at once ex- perimentally apprehend, as Christ hath said, "that his words are spirit and life." David says, "Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." If the word were only looked upon in the light which emanates from it, the exclamation Avould never again be heard, *' What ! believe with no other evi- dence than the word !" If the word is oiven as FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 243 Marks of Entire Sanctification. ,lic com- e written )Y words, vel anctifica- m offerer that his [ace, God rifice re- d be prc- ith these had done of his own immediate loly Spirit 1 the faith- rr was laid rod's word s there not The Holv 5 word, and at once ex- said, "that ays, " Thou aame." If lifrht which D ^ould never 10 other evi- is o-iven as identical with Christ himself, the same as though his living voice were sounding in our car, then we who believe it may with strong confidence exclaim, " He that believeth hath the witness in himself !'* " The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit," &c. And yet another inquiry: "By what marks may we know that we are sanctified ?'* I am en- deavoring to meet your questions in the order in which they stand in your letter, but the foregoing infers that we now have the testimony of our own spirit, and also the Spirit bearing witness with ours that we are wholly sanctified. We were brought into this state by reposing all upon Christ. If we abide in Christ, we shall walk even as he walked. Our sympathies will be blended with his. The prayer, " My spirit to Calvary bear, To suffer and triumph with thee," will be answered in our experience. We shall as truly submit to be with Jesus as the man of sor- rows, in labors* abundant for the salvation of i\m perishing, as on the mount, beholding his excellent glory. But where might I cease in enumerating the marks by which we may know that we are wholly sanctified ? " Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus," is perhaps as marked a cha- racteristic as can be given. If we have the mind which was in Christ, it will induce a life which will correspond, in a degree, with what his was when on •244 FAITH AND IT^ EFFECTS. i!!,i Hi [I Jflt \f} A Growing Assurance. Stability. From Faith to Faith. earth. Such a Hfe may, in return, bring upon us trials which will mark our onward progress, much in the same way as was His when on earth ; for, ** In tiie world ye shall have tribulation." The beginning of my confidence has generally been as the light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way in which my heart has become divinely assured, has not been by sud- den disclosures of truth, or extraordinary internal or external manifestations, but generally, by a solemn conviction that God cannot be unfaithful. He cannot deny himself; but, as the immutable Jehovah, is ever bound by the law of his nature to fulfill his promises to the trusting one. The rest of my soul has been, not in extraordinary emotion, but " in quietness and assurance.** ** Knowledge and stability shall be the strength of thy times." So saith the Spirit by the prophet Isaiah, and these words happily exhibit what my experience has been. " We who believe do enter into rest ;" yet it is not enough that I, by a definite act of faith entered. That act was but one of the many suc- cessive acts by which I am accomplishing my pas- sage to the skies : " For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith, as it is written. The just shall live by faith." The work of the F.ather, the Word, and the Spirit, seems, to my ap- prehension, to have been equally blended, joth in bringing me into this state and in my sustainment FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 24rj 'd, so ye ow what I Jesus.'* d special I of God, ►Uy sanc- reminds ir entire God of Sod that he pre- 3ur Lord died you, 5 brethren I the views advocated by the minister you have men- tioned, he might have said, My brethren, beloved *n the Lord, when you were first brought nigh by the blood of Jesus, and freely justified by his grace, then ye were no more in any degree carnal, but were wholly sanctified, throughout spirit, soul, and body. If by your subsequent daily, yet nearer, approaches to the Sun of righteousness, any re- mains of the carnal mind be discovered, it is because you have either fallen from grace, or what is more probable, iiave been mistaken in thinking yourselves convf.rtod at all; for if you were ever truly con- verted, you were at the same time wholly sanc- tified. I have spoken of this unscriptural, anti-Wesleyan doctrine, as dangerous heresy ; and would not either of the foregoing alternatives be calculated to tell disastrously on the soul convinced of the necessity of entire sanctification ? To yield to the impression that he had fallen from grace, and that the enemy which had been entirely expelled had been permit- ted to re-enter, were only calculated to move him to seek for a reinstatement in his former condi- tion; whereas his true state is that of increased proximity to the Sun of righteousness, and the heavenly radiations have only been permitted to penetrate his soul in order that the discovered de- ficiencies may be fully removed by the all-cleans- ing power of his Saviour. Thus, such as God hath 260 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. W~^'i' riln'! A Little Luaven. Incongruities in Theory and Practice. not grieved would be grieved, and instead of being encouraged to an onward course, from the convic- tion that he had been gaining a more thorough knowledge of his necessities, by drawing nearer to God, he is diiven back to first principles, laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, und of faith toward God. On the other hand, if tlie light revealing the re- mains of the carnal mind be resisted by submitting to the wrong teaching of men, rather than the oracles of God, the consequences would be yet more disastrous than the former alternative. A little, leaven leaveneth the whole lump. Could Satan devise a scheme better suited to his purpose of getting the soul partially or wholly under his control, than to induce us to wrap ourselves in the persuasion that sin is all destroyed, while the re- mains of corruption are still working within ? No wonder that he so often transforms himself into an angel of light, by getting ministers, and now and then other good persons, to help him by their sophistry in defending this doctrine. I have myself witnessed singular incongruities in theory and practice with some who, with an exhibition of unhallowed zeal, have defended these vieAvs, while, at the same time, and by their own confession, their experience and theory were contradicting each other. It was said to one of these on one occa- sion, " Brother, are you living in a state of justifi- *ractico. of hem^ le convic- thorougli nearer to es, laying sad works, ijX the re- lubmitting than the Id be yet lative. A ). Could lis purpose under his Ives in the lile the re- ihin? No ;elf into an I now and 1 by their I have in theory hibition of ews, while, ssion, their 3ting each one occa- } of justifi- PRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 261 Are you wholly sanctified 1 The Two States. cation ?'* ** Yes," was the reply. ** And have you the evidence that you are wholly sanctified ?'* " No." This is a subject on which I feel mucli interest, for with much pain I have witnessed its baneful effects. I had intended to say more, but will write you soon again. As ever, in love. No. XLI.— TO MISS S . Mr. Wesley's views — The author's habit of mind— Lvidence of jus- tification previous to entire sanctification—Movemeut of tlie de- nominations toward the unity of the faith — Tuesday meeting — A charming sight — Quotations from Wesley — Experience of David — The apostles— A cloud of witnesses — Caleb and Joshua— Tlio danger of refusing to go on to perfection. Your own experience furnishes such conclusive testimony relative to the two states, justification and sanctification, that I do not wonder at the solicitude you express in reference to min- isters who so recklessly controvert this point. I very much venerate the opinions of Mr. Wesley, the founder of Methodism, under God. But I am so constituted, that it seems to be a habit wliich the law of my nature demands, to analyze senti- ments let them come from whom they may, before I can really receive them as my own. Thus I seemed to be turned away from all mere human 252 FAITH AUD ITS EFFECTS. Human Helps. Adoption before Sanctification. opinions, prc\ious to entering* into a state of justi- fication. In like manner, yet with more distinct- ness, prior to apprehending the state of sanctifica- tion, was I turned away from human helps, " to the law and to the testimony." I have already informed you of the clear witness of justification wluc-h preceded my entering into the enjoyment of holiness, and the distinctness of my perceptions relative to my absolute need of that state. And then, on being led by the Spirit through the blood of the everlasting covenant into the holiest, you know something of the manner in which the Holy Spirit took of the things of God and revealed them unto me. I could just as well doubt my existence this moment, as to doubt my own justification some time previous to being brought .into a state of sanctification. This I know was brought about by the teachings of the Spirit through the word, for every progressive step, as you may remember, w^as distinctly directed by the waymarks laid down in the word of God. It is now no small satisfaction for me to know, that the views received, by thus carefully testing every onward movement by the law and the testi- mony, are so fully in accordance with Mr. Wesley's views of Bible truth. The more I search the Scrip- tures, the more I am confirmed in the belief that Wesley was a man eminently taught of God, and "mighty in the Scriptures." The deeply devoted FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 253 ion. The Wesleyan Theology. Unity of the Faith. of justi- distinct- inctifica- Ips, *'to already tification ijoyment rceptions e. And he blood iest, you the Holy led them existence stification ;o a state jht about he wordy ;member, aid down to know, [y testing the testi- Wesley's he Scrip- elief that God, and r devoted of all denominations seem to be verging toward that point, ** the unity of the faith," where tlic watchmen see eye to eye. Should it not be causes of gratitude with those who adhere to Mr. Wesley's expositions of Bible truth, that as the watchmen in Zion approach the point of union in view, they seem more and more to appreciate the Wesleyan theology ? I know these sentiments might seem egotistic, should they fall under the eye of some. But I think I may be permitted to speak with a degree of assurance. Perhaps few have had better opportunity to judge on this subject than myself. Though your stay in our city was short, yet, by your visits at our house, and your attendance on the Tuesday afternoon meetings, it is easy for you to imagine the ground on which the watchmen may see eye to eye — ^the point at which we may arrive, where we may find ourselves " in the unity of the faith." It is a usual thing for ministers of differ- ent denominations to meet with us on the common ground of hohness. Here we may say, — *' Even now we speak and think the same, And cordially agree ; United all in Jesus' name, In perfect harmony." I have obseiTed at one meeting, side by side, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregationalist, Mora- vian, and Methodist brethren, united in sentiment, heaven beaming in their countenances, sitting imder 2.54 FAITH AXIJ ITS EFFECTS. Mr. Wesley misrepresented. Quotation. '■( ■ < ■i!;i i ( H ?^ ■! r kl'f the banner of love, breathing the atmosphere * of lieaven. ]>iit I have diofressed. I bef^an with the inten- ti(m of responding to what has been said of those ministers among us who maintain tliat they are one in doctrine with Mr. Wesley on tliis point, that when jiistilied we are at the same time fully sanc- titied. Mr. Wesley cannot be made to favor these views without greatly distorting his words. I have just been at pains to get his precise words on this subject : — *' From what has been said we may easily learn the mischievousness of that opinion, that we are wlicMy sanctified when we are justified ; that our hearts- are then cleansed from all sin. It is true, we are then deli\ered, as was observed before, from the dominion of outward sin, and at the same time the power of inward sin is so broken, that we need no longer follow, or be led by it ; but it is by no means true, that inward sin is then totally destroyed, that tlie root of pride, self-will, anger, and love of the world, is tlien taken out of the heart, or tliat tlie carnal mind, and the heart, bent to backslid ings, are entirely extirpated. And to think tl \ contrary, is not, as some sup- pose, a harmless mistake. No ; it does immense Imrni ; it entirely blocks up the way to any further change : for it is manifc^st, * They that are whole dc not need a i)hysician, but tlioy that are sick.* li, therefore, we think we are (juite made whole FRAGMENTS FROM MY rORTFOLIO. 255 tion. )Rphere * of the inten- (1 of those ley are one point, tliat fully yanc- favor these rds. his precise t has been ousness of tified when len cleansed lelivered, as [ of outward r inward sin ollow, or be that iuAvard 3ot of pride, s then taken ind, and the r extirpated, i some sup- >es immense I any further t are wliole iit are sick/ made whole Mr. Wesley's Refutation of an Unscriptural Doctrine. already, there is no room to seek any further heal- ing. On this supposition it is absiu'd to expect a further deliverance from sin, whether gradual or instantaneous." Mr. Wesley, in another place, goes on to bring other arguments against this "new and unscrip- tural doctrine," as he terms it, which I may not no\v take room to transcribe, at the close of which, he says, " I cannot, therefore, by any means re- ceive the assertion that there is no sin in a believer from the moment he is justified. First, because it is contrary to the whole tenor of Scripture. Secondly, because it is contrary to the experience of the cliildren of God. Thirdly, because it is absolutely new, never heard of in the world till yesterday. And lastly, because it is naturally attended with the most fatal consequences ; not only grieving thoRO whom God hath not grieved, but perhaps dragging them into everlasting perdition." I have quoted largely, but you may not liave his Works at hand, and as I believe I have not read the portion here mven mvself for years, I have been iAad of the opportunity of again refreshing my own mind. Had I known that my views of Scripture on this point so nearly accorded in word with his, I might before have given his in place of my own. These views accord with the religious experience of men of all ages. After David had said, *' He hath brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of 256 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Experience. David. Tlie Apostles. A Cloud of Witnesses. the miry clay," he further said, '' And establishea my goings." Doubtless this establishing grace was given in answer to the prayer, " Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin:" " Create in me a clean heart, God." Previous to the day of Pentecost the disciples could dispute among themselves which should be the greatest ; and Thomas could not believe unless he saw signs and wonders. Various other wrong doings exhibited the remains of carnality among them. After the full baptism of the Holy Ghost was given, strifes, cowardice, and unbelief, were put away, and in entire devotion to the service of Christ, they gave themselves up to the work of establishing his kingdom on earth. Unequivocal demonstration was given that the old leaven was purged out. What a great cloud of witnesses has since arisen ! By the word of their testimony, and the blood of the Lamb, they have overcome. Thou- sands of living witnesses could now be adduced of the attainableness of this state. But O how im- portant it is that those who have entered this rest should be explicit in their testimony ! It was not only through the "blood of the Lamb," but by the " word of their testimony'' that they of whom the Revelator spake overcame. I am reminded of Caleb and Joshua, who, nf to- having spied out the good land, gave in "the word of their testimony " thus : " We are well able .vt-- FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 257 itnesses. lahlishea race was jroughly ny sin:" Previous L dispute rreatest ; aw signs 3xhibited ifter the ti, strifes, ', and in hey gave ihing his )nstration I out. las since , and the I. Thou- duced of how im- l this rest i was not " but by of whom who, nfter J in **the ^ well able More Witnesses wanted. The Fallen. Old Professors. to go up and possess the good land." Had only a few more of the spies added their voice to the weight of Caleb and Joshua's testimony, is it pro- bable that the Israelites would have vieldcd to their doubts, whether God would bring them into the land which he had promised, saying, *' Go up and possess it ?" Ah, little do those who are not adding their voice to the testimony, " We are well able," (fee, think how the cause may be suffering through tlieir deficiency. The carcasses of those who fell in the wilderness furnish a faint resemblance of the many thousands who have been brought out of spiritual Egypt, and are now commanded to go up and possess " The land of rest from inbred sin, The land of perfect holiness ;" but who, because of unbelief, refuse to go up. Alas for the thousands wlio fall or have fallen in the wilderness ! I sometimes fear that the blood of many of these may be found on the skirts of old professors, who, though they may have spied out the good land, do nevertheless bv their own experience virtually say, " We are not able to go up and possess it." Mr. Wesley, in his sermon, " Let us go on unto perfection,^' says, ** That the doing of this is a point of the utmost impoi-tance :" the apostle intimates in the next words, " This will we do, if God per- 17 .JmMmi£^ '-"?^"" m 258 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Danger of falling away. Willing and obedient. mit." For it is impossible for those who were once enhghtened, and have tasted of the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, and liave fiillen away, to renew them agaui to repent- ance." As if he had said. If we do not " go on to perfection," we are in the utmost danger of fall- ing away. " And if we do fall away, it is impos- sible (that is, exceedingly hard) to renew us again to repentance." I have indeed written a long letter, but you are so critically and also responsibly circumstanced with respect to the topics presented, that I will not apologize. Your devoted friend. No. XLII.— TO MR. C- The willing and obedient — Profession and practice — Tlie cross—*' I will guido thee by mine eye" — Lessons of experience — The im- portance of immediate action in the use of present grace — A temptation not to speak definitely yielded to — Sad effects — Re- proved, but not rejected— God dotli not afllict willingly — Holiness may be forfeited by neglect— A strange testimony — Reply — Ac- knowledgment — Lingering in duty -Its consequences — Views of personal obligation. You say that you know you must be willing and obedient, if you would eat the good of the land. I have thought, my dear brother C, that the Lord had taken much pains to teach you this lesson ; but has not your experience taught you, that it is FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 259 ) were iword ae, and repent- t< go on offall- impos- is again you are istanced ; will not md. le cross—*' 1 cc— The ini- nt grace— A elTects— Re- ly— Holiness -Reply— Ac- ;s_Views of filling and le land. I the Lord is lesson; I, that it is Consecration. A Cross shunned. " What do ye more than Others ?" one thing to receive a lessr , and quite another thing to retain it ? My heart assures me, my precious brother, that you are sincere before God ; and as you have earnestly asked my advice, I am sure you wish me to be candid. Permit me, then, to say, that grace, I think, has done much for you. I see no reason to conclude, that you have been mistaken as to your state, in conceiving it to be one of consecration to God ; but yet I have observed, what, by some, might be deemed discrepancies between your conduct and profession, which may retard your own progress and also hinder your success in testifying of Christ as your full Saviour. Let me instance. Not long since you were asked to take part in the exercises of a meeting where your services were really re- quired. It was evident that there was not another present to take your place, but you yielded to tlie shrinking of the flesh, and declined before several who do not profess to be wholly sanctified, saying, •* I do not feel free to it." Here was one profess- ing to be wholly sanctified, unwilling to perform a duty rendered obvious by the providence of God ; and h©w could those not professing the blessing reconcile the conduct and the profession ? If the thoughts of most present had been uttered, doubt- less the response of many hearts had been, " What do ye more than others?'* I must confess that, though fully aware of the sincerity of brother C, 260 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Follow the Lamb. Daily Cross. Painful Experience. yet I could not but feel that a profession carried out thus was hardly to be desired. Imagine that the Saviour, when about to bear the cross up the hill of Calvary for you, had yield- ed to the shrinkings of nature, and said, " I do not feel free to it." You have given yourself up to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth ; but I need not say to you, that you cannot do this, unless you take up your cross daily and follow after him. The warfare is agamst the world, the fleshy and Satan. Doubtless every successive day of our pilgrimage will present " something still to do or bear," from which the flesh may shrink ; but shall we yield ? If so, we are the servants of him whom we obey. But I am persuaded better things of brother C, though I thus speak. I am thankful that your heavenly Father reprov- ed you on the occasion referred to. In his great love he sometimes permits us to be convinced, by paivful experience, of our errors. We who are parents take pains to instruct our children, in order that they may gradually come to a knowledge of the various duties of life, and after having once clearly assured them of a duty, we expect them to act accordingly. We do not ccmdemn a child for not knowing, but if he disoT^eys subsequently to his being convinced of duty, then condemnation follows. Now, dear brother, in more instances than the one referred to, have I feared that you FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 261 ice. Guided by a Look. A Silken Cord. Bliss. ed out ;o bear [ yield- do not [ up to ; but I , unless ter him. esky and of our :o do or ut shall n whom lings of reprov- lis great need, by who are in order ledge of ing once ) them to child for iiently to lemnation instances that you would come under condemnation. Your Lord and Master says, "I will instruct thee, and teach thcc in the way which thou shalt go ; I will guide thee with mine eye." How quiet and gentle his swa}^ ! It is true, he holds the reins which are to guide vis through all the vicissitudes of life, and its various duties ; yet tliey are held by the hand of infinite wisdom and love ; and the silken cord, which holds us in the way, is a bond of love. I heard one, who is now eminent for the holiness and use- fulness of her life, say, on her first entrance upon the way, " I resolved to obey every intimation of the Holy Spirit, even the faintest of them." Richly does her experience prove the faithfulness of God, " The willing and the obedient shall eat the good of the land." If I were to be guided by the eye of another, what constant Avatchfulness were necessary ; but if my inmost heart were wholly possessed with the idea, that, to turn my attention off from that eye of light, were to leave me, perhaps in one moment, to take a step which might, end in darkness, misery, and death ; whereas, on the other hand, obedience to its dictates were only submitting to what was, in the highest degree, necessary for my well-being — that were bliss indeed ! What a privilege to be guided by an eye whose every mo- tion is dictated by love — infinite love ! Please turn to the thirty-second Psalm, and read from the m 262 FAITH AND ITS EI ^r 1 Bit and Bridle. Lessons learned. "A\'hydon udoiti" eighth verse to the close. How evident it is, that our heavenly Father would have us obey the gentle monitions of his Spirit ! *' Be not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding ; whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle." How our hearts yearn in love over a child who exhibits a ceaseless desire to know and obey our wishes ! Such a child may my dear brother C. ever be. I am endeavoring to be willing and obedient ; yet, it is by painful experience that I have occa- .-ionally learned some useful lessons. I will attempt to give you a glance at the way a few of these were learned ; and I think the relation may help to ex- pose the devices of Satan. A few days after I first received the witness of hohness, I was at a meeting where there was a number of persons deeply agonized in spirit for the salvation of God. Some were groaning for justifying grace, and others for full redemption. O, thought I, if there were only some one here to talk about the simple way of salvation hf faith ! " Why do you nv.it do it?" was suggested. 0, thought I, it would require a special commission to undertake a duty so formi- dable ; for among the suppliants for full salvation were one or more ministers, and other persons of influence. 1 was at a camp meeting, and I hast- ened to a retired place, that I might, with- out interruption, inquire of God. But I had scarcely knelt before I received the gentle chidings FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 263 )it?» is, that 3 gentle )rse, or whose How xhibits wishes ! be. )edient ; e occa- attenipt jse were p to ex- after I v^as at a persons of God. id others jre were iple way- do it?'* require 50 formi- salvation Tsons of i I hast- it, with- i I had chidings Reproved, Opportunity lost. ♦* Don't be definite." of the Spirit thus : " Did you not, in supplicating guidance for the day, ask that you might be filled with the knowledge of the will of God, with all wisdom and spiritual understanding ?" (fee. When you asked, did you not believe that you received the thing you desired ? Why then did you not let yoiu" conduct correspond with your faith, by acting prompthj ? Before I called, God had answered, and I hastened back to the meeting ; but it was only to learn that my omission had frustrated the design of God ; for I had scarcely reached the place before the meeting was closed, preparatory to public exercises from the stand. I felt so deeply mortified that Satan should thus have robbed me of this opportunity for usefulness, that I believe I have not needed a repetition of the lesson. A short time after this I was at a love-feast. My heart was rejoicing in the blessedness of full salvation ; and the privilege of sounding it abroad to the ends of the earth would, indeed, have been blissful. It was presented. You have mentioned it before in this church ; and, perhaps, the most here have heard your experience on this point ; and here are others who profess to enjoy this blessing, , yet they do not speak so definitely nor so often on that subject, and it will appear more humble to be more reserved. I con ^ed I would not speak definitely of enjoying ^'■-"- blessing, but would leave it to be inferred. I i. .e to testify, but felt no lib- 264 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Reproved, but not condemned. Stay taught. erty. I was startled, said but little, and sat down. I thought, Can it be that it was not my duty to speak? No, that duty was clear. If the Lord required the testimony, why did he not help me, was the next question ? I inquired the cause. My Saviour was most graciously near and precious, and truly did I fee] that he did not condemn me ; but, in love he assured me, that I had chosen my own way to speak, therefore I had no right to ex- pect the special help of the Holy Spirit. I was pained indeed. I saw that I had not honored God as I might have done ; yet the transgression had not been willful ; but it surely was one which needed the atonement of Christ ; and had it not been every moment available, impurity, sufficient to banish my soul from his presence, had been contracted : yet I still felt that I loved God with all my heart ; that I still kept all upon tlie altar, and, consequently, could still say, The blood of Jesus cleanseth. To the praise of God I believe I may say, that Satan has never again had the advantage of me on this point. I would urge the importance of looking well to the things which we have gained. A lesson once learned should ever be retained. We as parents would feel ourselves grieved and dishonored by a child who is ever learning, and never coming to the knowledge which we desire to impart. Our heavenly Father is intent on teaching us the lessons FRAGMENTS FROM MY TORTFOLIO. 205 down. uty to Lord p me, My cious, n me; en my to ex- I was dGod )n liad iceded 1 every ish my : yet I ; that lently, I. To Satan )n this veil to 1 once arents 1 by a ing to Our Bssons The Divine Tenderness. Danger of being drawn back. of his grace, and if we will not learn otherwise than by painful experience, his love may move him to treat us accordingly. Yet in all our afflic- tions he is afflicted ; and shall w^e move the heart of infinite love to painful correctives, in order to make and keep us right ? It is because the bow- els of compassion are yearning toward us, that he says, *' Be not as the horse or as the mule." O may our dear brother C. be guided most peaceful- ly, and gently, in every heavenward step, by the eye of Love ! Li other cases than the one in question, have I observed your proneness to shrink from the cross. In this you say your heavenly Father reproved you ; and, doubtless, he has before reproved you. It is my impression, that the next time you do thus, he will remove the light of his countenance, and you will be numbered among the many who once enjoyed the blessing of holiness, and have lost it. Think of the position in which Israel would have stood, if after they had once, by the power of God, entered upon their promised inheritance, they had been driven back again into the wilder- ness by their enemies. What cause of triumph would this have been to their foes, and how dis- honoring to themselves and to their God ! what a struggle with the powers of darkness had my dear brother before ©ntering this his rightful inher- itance, and shall his enemies yet again prevail, and 266 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Obedience without Impulses. " Happy till I sought Holiness." drive him back ? Jesus, Captain of our salvation, forbid it ! Sooner cut short thy work in righteous- ness, and take liim to thyself in heaven. I have yet a little room on my sheet, and there are other lessons which with me have been some- what painfully learned ; and, as they involve points about which we hav6 conversed, I will mention them briefly. I told you that the Lord had assured me, that it was not for me to wait for impelling in- fluences, but rather to act from the dictates of a sanctified judgment, (and if we render up mind, memory, and will, every moment, to Christ, are we not to believe he sanctifies all these powers ?) We may often be required to act with promptness where the circumstances will not admit of delay. The promptings of the Spirit may often suggest, as was said to David, " Do what is in thy heart, for the Lord is with thee ;" or with Joshua, when he was lying on his face, and ij was said, " Up, for Israel hath sinned." I was present at a meeting for testimony on ho- liness, where, after it had for some time progressed most profitably, an influential individual arose and said, among other inexplicable things, ** When I experienced religion I was as happy as I could live ; but afterward, when my mind became inter- ested on the subject of sanctification, I lost all my enjoyment, and have never regained it since.'* I had expected much from the meeting, biit, for a FRAGMENTS FROM MY TORTFOUO. 267 Iness." [vation, iteoiis- tliere some- points ention ssured ing in- s of a mind, are we We iptnesa delay, iggest, heart, when Jp, for » ■ )n ho- :'essed e and den I could iiiter- 11 my " I for a Silent Watchman. Taking Sides with God. The Result. moment, all seemed lost. Several ministers were present, and I earnestly hoped some might defend the precious doctrine of holiness from the aspersion which had been implied ; but they were silent. I had been solicited to be present, to help forward the exercises of the meeting, and the enemy taunt- ingly suggested, If you reply by way of reproving this brother, it will look as if you were indeed will- ing to be a teacher among teachers. But shall any one be left to conceive, from such high author- ity, (for the one who had spoken was a minister,) that as soon as they really resolve on obedience to the command, "Be ye holy," they are to lose all their enjoyment in religion ? I could not abide the thought, and said. If others will not do their duty, by taking sides with God, they must settle it before God for themselves ; it is the Lord's most precious truth which suffers, and he can use this feeble instrument in its defense. I spoke ; and the Lord not only took care of his tnith, but he took care of my influence in vlie minds of those present, as I plainly saw afterward. The next day, the individual who had spoken so ques- tionably came to me, and with tears acknowledged that he had permitted his mind to get into great darkness on that point. He seemed very sincere in his resolves that he would seek till he obtained the blessing. It was only during the ensuing week that I was 268 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Boisterous. Stand '• T for the Truth. The Delay. again present, under similar circumstances, at a meeting held quite remote from the one just refer- r^^d to. A minister had said at the opening of the meeting, '^ Sister is with us, and will instruct us ill the way of holiness." The enemy made this a soui'ce of some temptation to me, but the way of the Lord seemed to be preparing for a baptism of the Spirit, when ar illiterate man, seemingly of boisterous ha'iits, began to tell of an experience made up of signs and wonders. After telhng of great ecstasies, he concluded by saying, with much emphasis, " Brethren and sisters, if you are happy 3"0u are holy." I longed, for the sake of the cause, that some one would set him right; but said the enemy, '' If you should attempt to do it, they would certainly think that you thought your- self capable of instructing them." The Spirit said, " Stand up in defense of truth : did not God take care of ycur influence, last week, under similar cir- cumstances, and will he not do it now ?" I lin- gered, saying in my heart, The views which this person has presented are so palpably wrong, that any discerning individual may discover their falsity ; and thus I reasoned, neither really decided not to speak in defense of truth, nor fully resolved that I would do so, until the gracious influence, which liad before prevailed, seemed to be withdrawn from the meeting, and I saw that I had grieved the Spirit of holiness. Never since that tirae have FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 269 Reputation. Let us keep what we ^et. Established, I dared to be otherwise than fearless in the de- fense of truth. I do not judge others; to their own Master they stand or fall, but 7tiy duty is plain. I have given up my reputation to God ; and I cannot consistently make a profession of being wholly given up to the service of Christ, or of having received his Spirit, without standing out faithfully in defense of the blessed doctrines of tlie gospel, and manifesting that spirit, by a correspond- ing sympathy, when his cause suffers. The Lord help us to " look to ourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward," and may we ever be found perfect and complete in all the will of God. Yours, in the fellowship of the Spirit. No. XLIIL— TO MRS. D . Establisliing grace — God's worthies — Few excel — Instability — Un- hke God — Let your yea be yea, and your nay nay — The seal of the Spirit— Our Father's testament— Spiritual ambition— Ann Cutler. IT is indeed a good thing, my sister, that the heart be established in grace. If God himself haih pronounced it a good thing, surely it must be pre- eminently good. How confirming it is to the pious heart to look upon one who, year after year, pur- sues the even tenor of his way with undaunted step ! God has his worthies, even in the present day, and the eye of my mind is just now resting Illl t- -''^TTf'^- ' 2Y0 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. " Of whom the World is uot worthy." 'K'' rw Few excel. with inexpressible delight on some of those of whom the world is not worthy. I have beheld them while the fires of tribulation have burned hotly around them, and yet, " Like Moses' bush, They flourish unconsumed in fire." And again have I beheld them ; and the world, the flesh, and Satan, in close array, would fain have triumphed over them, but thur> far have they over- come by the word of their testimony and the blood of the Lamb, and, still strong in faith, they endure as seei7i(; Him who is invisible. It is not wise to say, " The former days were better than these." But yet in view of the extensive provisions of grace, taken in connection with the inspiring fact, that " God is no respecter of persons," how small the number of those who excel ! The King's higliway : how narrow is the road, How few there be that find it : yet the abode Of God — tlie Christian's home — hes at its end, And none can reacli the goal but they "vVho bend W^itli purpose all unyielding — steady, true, And step undaunted, though all hell pursue. Instability is an evil of far greater magnitude than is g(>nerally apprehended. It is composed of ele- ments which are Avholly unlike what God loves. As well might an attempt be made to unite Christ and Belial, as to unite an unstable soul enduringly to "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." X.'* FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 271 iLcel. Instability. Immutability of God. hose of beheld burned orld, the ain have ley over- he blood y endure t wise to these." dsions of ing fact, low small 1, 3nd tude than sd of ele- od loves, ite Christ iduringly -day, and For the honor of the cause of God, I have greatly desired that the evil of instability might be looked upon with the abhorrence which it merits. To the degree a thing is unlike God, it must be hateful in his sight. With the immutable Jehovah there is neither variableness nor shadoio of turninof. Yet, alas ! how unlike God are many who profess to have received his nature ! Their career is but a continual exhibition of variableness and turning. On one occasion you may find them flaming with ardor in the cause of Christ, and seemingly dead to the vanities of earth, and again, perhaps, in a few short months, they are found spiritless and worldly. And many there are of a higher grade of experience, who sadly mistake the mark here. How often, in view of the firm foundation laid for their faith, have they said before God, " I will be- lieve !" " i do beheve !" But when called to en- dure the trial of their ftiith, they are variable, and tarn away from the believer's only resting place, forgetful that their yea sliould be yea, and their nay nay, with God. Ever do such find that "whatsoever is more than this cometh of evil''' " Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel," was said of one in ancient time, and alas for the cause of lioliness, that the experience of so many should illustrate the melanclioly prediction ! I wonder why the sealing of the Spirit is not oftener an object of special faith and entreaty? ir -w^ 212 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. , ■ i The Spirit's Seal. Our Inheritance. The Scriptures present it as the privilege of the behever : " After chat ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise," Eph. i, 3. And again, as though those addressed had already re- ceived the seal, it is said, " Grieve not the Spirit, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.'* Paul surely had received it, or he had not said, " I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be ^ble to sep "^te us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jv us our Lord." I adore the God of my salvation, by whose grace I was moved to plead for the sealing of the Holy Spirit. The Bible presented it as my privilege, and this was enough to inspire my faith in pleading for it. Never did I more consciously realize that the Spirit itself maketh intercession, than when g-oaning before God for this establish- ing grace. It was thw Holy Spirit that placed it distinctly before iny mind, as a privilege included in the believer's inlieiitance. The believer*3 m7 <>rii %nce ! How glorious ! How wonderful the privi -^qfes purchased by the suffer- ings and death of tne Son of God ! all of which are now made over to every child of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. When an earthly parent leaves his last will and testament, setting forth in specific terms the inheritance bequeathed, how ggmgif FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 2*73 The Heir opening the Will. Ann Culler. } of the e sealed ]. And eady re- e Spirit, nption.'* said, "I life, nor r things r depth, sep "'^te J- isL -N.-us ition, by } sealino: it as my my faith isciously Tcession, istablish- placed it included Ls ! How e sufFer- of which through y parent forth in ed, how minutely does each inheritor examine the docu- ment in order to ascertain the extent and validity of his claims ! If fearful that his own judgment may be defective, he eagerly inquires of those who are skilled in law, until assured that all the privi- leges granted by virtue of his father's will are fully apprehended. Why are not the children of our heavenly Father more ambitious to secure their rights? Truly, the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light. It was said of Ann Cutler, a worthy of Wesley's time, that it wps her daily practice to search the Scriptures with earnest prayer, in order to ascer- tain just what it was her privilege to expect, and after beino: assured of' the will of God concerninij: her, she made it a point never to rest until the promised blessing was hers. What an inspiring example ! May the Lord help us to do likewise. Yours, &c. 18 274 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. God's Appointments. Unhappy Change. J, ^ i( No. XLIV.— TO MRS. E . Disappointmeni — Our recent interview — iiad change — Fault-find ingversws prayer — Ministers need encouragement — "jOur minisier is not popular" — Harmful effects — Speakirg evil of ministers— A false light — Confession — A stv.mbling block — '* Touch not mine anointed" — A family regulation witli respect to the reputation of ministers. My beloved sister and myself were both somewhat disappointed on the occasion of our recent inter- view. But I hope, my dear E^ has learned to regard all her disappointments as emphatically God's a2:>2')ointments. If so, obedience to the com- mand. " In everything give thanks,'* has become one 0^ your most pleasant duties. But I fear that thi.s rri.iy not be your state before God. You were imh?y)py iasi evening, and not only your words but your Yiiry looks expressed unhappiness. The interview previoas to that of last evening, whicli I ren. ember to have had with you, was spc in conversation on the all-im- portant subject oi * holiness to the Lord." That theme stood cibsorbiogly before you, and seemed to be engraven on all your intentions. In- stead of being much concerned about sclfy and ways and means for the bringing about the con- summation of your own wishes, you were mostly concerned in the establishment of the pure and pe^iceable kingdom of Christ in the hearts of those with whom you communed. FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 276 i. Fault-fiud ur minisier inisters— A I not mine mutation of )inewhat nt inter- arned to liaticallv he corn- become te before and not xpressed that of ave had e all-im- LORD." oil, and ns. In- self, and the con- 3 mostly aire and of those Fault-finding versus Prayer. Do I mistake, when I say, I fear that it is not altogether with you as in years past ? I believe that my beloved sister wishes to stand perfect and complete in all the will of God, and if so, she will bear with me while I breathe aloud thoughts and fears which have oppressed my heart concerning her. Has not the deceiver, as an angel of light, beguiled you by his sophistries ? By turning the eye of your mind so intently upon what you deem to be the failings of your minister, has he not suc- ceeded in turning your attention away from '' the beam that is in thine own eye ?" Had the time which has been spent by yourself, and a number of your friends, in perhaps prayerless talking and thinking about your minister, been spent in seasons of fasting and prayer for the holiness of his life, and the success of his ministrations, he might by this time not only have been eminent as an example in faith, in purity, and in doctrine, but yourself and your friends, standing prominent as you do in the church, might have been greatly instrumental in promoting its purification and prosperity. The day of eternity only can reveal what loss yourself, and friends, and also your minister, and the cause generally, has sustained by this disaffec- tion which you have manifested toward your min- ister and his administration. Instead of holding up his hands, which surcjly, by the ordinary duties of liis responsible station must need support, you ^,t P 11"' 276 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Bear ye one another's Burdens. What have you accompUshed ? and your friends have added greatly to this ac- cumulated weight. How, how can this course appear in the sight of the meek, lowly, loving Saviour, who hath said, " Bear ye one another's burucns, and so fulfill the law of Christ?'* "But," say you, **we think him deficient in piety, and though he seems to preach well, yet he has other faults ; he is not generally popular, and to us his ministrations are not profitable." Now, my dear sister, had yourself and friends first went to Jesus, as did his disciples of old, and told him all, had you done this without even mentioning your dissatisfaction to one another, I have little doubt but you would have had one of the most prosperous conference years you ever enjoyed. Do you think that your expressions of dissatis- faction have in any way improved the piety of your minister ? Have they tended toward making him more generally popular ? Or have they made his ministrations more profitable to yourselves? If none of these important results have been attained, then there is every reason why you should take shame and confusion of face to yourselves. But let me tell you, that there are humble, holy souls, in church fellowship with you, who have found the word of life, as dispensed by your min- ister, precious food. While you have been scatter- ing here and there and gathering nothing, and are now almost starving, for your very looks say, " O FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 211 iplished ? this ac- 3 course , loving Lnother's icient in I, yet he liar, and ' Now, rst went told him mtioning „ve little he most >yed. dissatis- ' of your iing him nade his es ? If attained, Lild take 3le, holy ho have 3ur min- scatter- and are say, " The Wrong Path. A False Light. Make Confession. my leanness, my leanness !" these have been feed- ing richly on the dainties of heaven. what have you lost, and what has the precious cause of Christ lost, by your turning out of the highway into this by-path, and alas for those who have followed you through these delusions of Satan ! I say *' these delusions of Satan," for, truly, as an angel of lif/ht, has the deceiver decoyed you into this path. If, in your imagination, light beams upon it, beware ; it is the glare of the fires of perdition, and it will lead you, if you persist, and those who follow you, eventually to the point whence it emanates. I see no way to get back upon the right track, but to acknowledge your error, and return. " If we confess our sins. He is faithful and just to for- give us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un- righteousness." "Make confession!" "Why, this would be coming down from the position in which I have stood, and my influence would thereby be injured, and my attitude be less favorable for useful- ness than formerly." No, my sister, you have put a stumbling block in the way of the people, and in their sight you will have to return and take it up, that they may see that you have pursued a course which it would be dangerous for them to follow. And then the Lord may reinstate you among the leading spirits of his sacramental hosts, otherwise it were not safe to follow you. ' s- 278 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Clirist and liis Ministers. " Touch not mine anointed." I do not mean by my remarks to intimate that your minister is faultless. I should, on the con- trary, think that his demeanor may, in some re- spects, be reprehensible. But, as ministers are of like passions with ourselves, should we not, in sym- pathy with the spirit of the Saviour, be touched with the feeling of their infirmities ? The chosen ambassadors of Christ, those who have been called, as was Aaro.:, must be peculiarly dear to the heart of the Saviour. Their influence stands inseparably identified with the promotion of his kingdom, and whoever touches the influence of these chosen ones, touches the heart of Christ. But must we not speak, in order that evils may be corrected ? No, not unless you have taken the case to Christ first J and told him all the matter in all its bearings. And then, if after much prayer, and close com- munion with the Head of the church, he requires,, for the well-being of the church, that the matter be brought out, let it be done with much prayer- ful caution and with a migle eye to the glory of God, and not for the redress of a mere perscnial grievance. Personal grievances should, in most cases, be taken only to God and to the individual concerned. Husband and I make it a point not to mention lit- tle matters we hear of this kind, even in our family, and often we do not mention them to each other. " Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 279 nted." Evils cured by Prayer. Solicitude. ate that the con- lome re- 's are of in sym- touched 3 chosen n called, he heart eparably om, and chosen must we rrected ? ;o Christ bearings, ►se corn- requires J matter prayer- glory of 2wrso7ial ases, be [icerned. ition lit- ' family, h other. )rophet3 r 1 no harm,'* stands prominent among our family re- gulations. In common with others, I sometimes see things in ministers, which, for the honor of Christ's precious cause, I could wish were othci-- wise, but the more my heart is troubled, the more constantly and earnestly do I keep the matter be- fore God. Among the greatest victories I have ever gained, have been the curing of these evils in this noiseless manner. I have left no room on my sheet for apologies, in view of this plain dealing. Yours, in Christian love. No XLV.— TO MR. K- Solicitude— A twenty years' seeker— The longer and the short ei • way — Remarkable experience in the steam cars — A meeting es- tablished for the promotion of holiness — How holiness sustains in the hour of trial, exemplified — The difference between willingness and obedience— A quotation from Mr. Wesley. Your omission to write, lest my reply should make an unnecessary draft upon my time, has cost me more time in perplexing inquiries after the reasons of your strange silence, than would have been con- sumed in a long response. I have felt most affectionately and prayerfully solicitous for your spiritual welfare. I hoped that ere this your goings had been established in the way of holiness. I am sure, dear brother, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, you V^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 1.0 I.I ^1^ IIIIM ■^ 1^ ill 2.2 2.0 ^ U& 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 < 6" ► Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 m \ v \\ ^o ■0 280 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. "Why not now ' A Twenty Years' Seeker. would have done it. But now, when it is only to cease your endeavors to save yourself, and by an act of faith cast yourself wholly on Christ, believ- ing that he fulfills his promises to you, you shrink, and linger, just at the base of the fountain, unwill- ing to make the venture. My dear brother, why do you not now " Plunge into the purple flood, And rise in all the life of God ?" By waiting thus you grieve your Saviour, for you ought long since to have been a witness of the full power of saving grace. This you may prove at any moment when you will, with your whole heart, trust in Christ as your present Saviour. A beloved brother, who, for many years, had been earnestly longing for the witness of holiness, said to me, " I think I have not as deep and pain- ful conviction on this subject as I ought to have, preparatory to the immediate reception of it. Mr. Wesley says, that often deeper and more painful conviction precedes it, than is experienced previous to justification." In return I observed " If all the deep feeling and earnestness of desire which you have felt during the past twenty years were ga- thered up within the compass of a few weeks, or a few days, would not the amount be great indeed ?'* He readily acknowledged it would. " Imagine,'* said I, "that you were to die within two minutes, what would you do ?'* With much solemnity he ^«M FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 281 What I without any more conviction. Regret. 4^ said, " I would cast myself upon the merits of my Saviour r ** Do you think he would save you from all your sins ?'* " I believe he would." " What ! • without any more conviction .^" With emotion he acknowledged the conclusion to which he had brought himself, and yielded the point. He has since made the venture, and cast himself believingly on Christ, resolved to rest upon the authority of the word of God, as the evidence of his entire acceptance. As an able minister of the New Testament, he is now, in turn, proclaiming to others the excellency of that Word, upon which, as an immovable foundation, his faith is based. I regret that you are not redeeming the time relative to this subject. If you were clear in the experience of this grace, how much more success- ful might you be in your endeavors to help others into its enjoyment! You say you now perceive, that you had reason to conclude you were in tlie enjoyment of the blessing at the time referred to in your last. Then why did you not at once, on perceiving this, again resume the confidence which you had cast away. If you have not yet resumed it, why may you not do so this moment ? It is wonderful how the adversary gets the advantage of some, by keeping them lingering on the bojders of the promised land, while others, at a single bound, leap over, and then exultingly gather its fruits, and tell of its blessedness to others. if.v 282 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Remarkable Experience in the Cars. Let me tell of one who Avas not twenty years in getting into the way. He had, for some time pre- vious, known the joys of pardoned sin. But he liad not been much in communion with those, wliose absorbing employ was to " praise the beauty of holiness,'* and on being thrown into the company of such, his heart became greatly enamored "with its beauties, and earnestly did he long to enter upon its enjoyment. Just in this simple manner he obtained the desire of his heart. We were about to respond to an invitation to visit his residence, in order to spend a little season in communing on the subject ; and while on the way in the steam cars, I said, " Brother J., are you sinning now .^" ** No, I believe I am not." '^ How are you saved from sin?" "I do not know, unless Christ saves me." " Do you think he would save you another mo- ment, if you should continue to rely upon him ?" " I believe he would." " Will you do it ?" '' By the help of the Lord, / wilir And that help was granted. He continued, with every moment, to gather fresh strength. I soon said, " I will not ask you what you will do to-morrow, nor what you will do five minutes hence ; but, if you should now have the opportunity, would you be willing to say, Jesus now saves me from all sin : * For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation ?* "By the help of the Lord, I will." He was an in- "■iBW" FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 283 Meeting for Holiness established. A Fiery Trial. >» 9» fluential man, and both Presbyterian and Method- ist ministers were in habits of intimacv at his house. That afternoon, I have reason to beheve, that numbers were made acquainted with his interest on the subject. He shortly afterward estabhshed a meeting at his house for the promotion of hoh- ness, ministers of different denominations have there met, with members of their charge, and ever since it has been kept up for the diffusion of Hght, and the edification of the lovers of holiness. Yesterday he visited -as. He seems to be most truly going on from strength to strength, evidencing the power of Christ as a full Saviour before the world, amid the toils and perils of an extensive business. Several weeks after he thus began to rest upon Jesus to save him under every diversity of circum- stances, he was aroused one night to behold his extensive printing establishment in flames. He had had a similar calamity some time previous, which made this seem doubly disastrous. But the Saviour even here assured him, that there might be reasons why it were not better for him to lay up treasure on earth, and with sweet placidity of mind he was enabled, while yet beholding the de vouring element, to sink down more closely into the bosom of love, with the inspiring assurance, ** All things work together for good to them that love God." ^ Dear brother, why will you not mw rest upon 284 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Cast yourself upon Christ as you are. Time lost. Christ to save you ? If you do not expect to save yourself in any degree, but depend wholly on the merits of Christ for salvation, why should you not this moment begin to trust him, to cleanse you from all youi uncleanness. He now says to you, " I will, be thou clean ;" but you do not manifest your willingness to be made clean, until you cast yourself as you are upon Christ, believing that he now fulfills his promises to you. You can no more be saved the present moment for the fu- ture than you can breathe for the future. You grieve the Holy Spirit while you stay away, and instead of getting a greater fitness, are every mo- ment rendering yourself more unworthy ; inas- much as the Spirit has, for months past, been urging you to the open fountain, and Christ has been saying, " Come, for all things are now ready." Months since, you ought to have added your testi- mony to those who are already cleansed, and kept clean, and with them have said, " We are his wit- nesses of these things ; and so also is the Holy Ghost whom God hath given to them that obey liira." I would not seem causelessly to upbraid a dear brother for whom I feel so affectionately desirous, but I am sure, if you linger after this hour, that the Saviour will upbraid you for your unbelief. It is not only the willing^ but the obedient^ that shall eat the good of the land, that is, iaey who ahov) FRAGMENTS FROM MY TORTFOLTO. 285 't Willing but not doing--. The Blessing soxiglit by Works. their Avillingness by their obedience. Your child may assure you of his wilhngness to obey your commands, but how lightly would these repeated assurances tell on your heart, unless he demonstrate it by doiijg what you require. Your mere willing- ness to believe will not itself bring you into " The land of rest from inbred sin, The land of perfect holiness." If Israel had for a long time stood upon the borders of their promised inheritance, continually saying, in obedience to the command, "Go over and pos- sess the good land," " We are willing, and stand here all ready to go over ;" — would this expres- sion of willingness have brought them any nearer the point ? Rather, would not their lingering have grieved their gracious God, who had led them through the wilderness, and brought them to this point, just in order that they might noio enter in ? may our dear brother never be doomed to wander back into the wilderness of unbelief ! Mr. Wesley says, " Certainly you may look for it now, if you believe it is by faith. And by this token you may know whether you seek it by faith or by works. If by works you want something to be done first, before you are sanctified. Yo(. think 1 must first he, or do thus or thus. Then you are seeking it by works unto this day. If you seek it by faith, you must expect it ds you are ; and if as you are, then expect it now. It is of importance 286 i'AITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Expect it by Faith. Expect it as you^ are. Expect it now. il j to observe that there is an inseparable connection between these three things. Expect it hy faith. Expect it as you are. Expect it now. To allow one is to allow them all. Do you believe that we are sanctified by faith? Be true then to your principle, and look for the blessing just as you are, neither better nor worse, as a 'loor sinner that has still nothing to pay, nothing to plead, but * Christ died J And if you look for it as you are, then expect it now. Stay for nothing, why should you? Christ is ready and he is all you want." In another place, he adds, "To this confidence, that God is both able and willing to do it now, there needs to be added one thing more, a divine evidence and conviction that he doeih it. In that hour it is done, God says to the inmost soul, ' Ac- cording to thy faith be it done unto thee !' Then the soul is pure from every spot of sin ; it is clear from all unrighteousness. The believer then ex- periences the deep meaning of these solemn words, * If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his son, cleanseth us from all un- righteousness.' " I hope my long letter may not prevent j^ou from writing quickly in return, if it at all consist with your other duties. If your usage of Henry Clay, ipondent. con'« sami I may expect from you, I shall regret it. I love ^ FRAGMENTS FUOM IIY rOIlTFOLIO. 287 Reference to the Experience of Mrs. U and Mrs. L . to receive long letters, but I think I shall never again presume to send so long a talk as this in re- turn. I so much desire to hear that you have en- tered into the rest of faith, that I am prone to forget myself while urging you on this point. The last experience in the " Riches of Grace," is from the pen of Mrs. Professor U , of B k, Maine. There is also another in that work to which I would refer you, on page 115, experience 19; you will find it also in the Guide, vol. 3, page 8. This is the expeiience of my beloved sister, Mrs. L , the reading of which, I think, may be confirming to your faith. My dear husband, and all the members of my family still remember you most affectionately. My Christian salutations to ^ Mrs. K . Yours, &c. NO. XLVI.— TO MISS D- A little child learning to walk— The Divine Sympatic proportioned to our feebleness — " I will hold thy right hand" — Shrinking^ from duty — " I have ordained you" — The weak made strong — " World- ly Christians ?"— A light in the worhi. Your note came to hand, and has been cause of thanksgiving to the God of all grace^ who liath made such great grace abound toward you. As you have received the Lord Jesus to the full sal- vation of your soul, I have been longing to hear how you have been enabled to ivalk in him. 288 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. A Little Child learning to Walk. You speak of yourself as a little child coming to its parent, just learning to walk. Sweet and in- spiring thoughts present themselves to my mind, in viewing this as your state. I regard my sister as having entered upon the road, which, by the fiat of the Lord of the way, " shall he called. The way of holiness. ^^ He who hath cast it up for the express purpose that the redeemed of the Lord may walk therein, is with her every moment, guard- ing every step, and assuring her in every strait, " I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not, I will help thee." The little child just learning to walk, commands more of the careful attentions of the parent, than one who, by previous training, has attained a firm gait. Tlie love and ceaseless attentions of your Saviour are bestowed upon you, just in the proportion that your feebleness demands. You are not favored with the companionship of many friends, who are walking in the highway, and you feel your loneliness. But 0, what are earthly companions and loves, compared with the companionship and love of such a Friend as y(mr Jesus purposes to be. Keep close to his side, and you will ever hear him saying to you, *' Lo, 1 am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." "But why do I grasp him with a trembhng hand ?" you ask. Let me in reply again refer you to the precious words : " I the Lord will hold thy FRAGMENTS JROM MY PORTFOLIO. 289 Divine Sympathy. Expect a Daily Cross. ng to d in- ind, sister the The )r the Lord uard- it, " I aying Httle of the bo, by Tlie ur are 1 that i • right hand.*' While your trembhng hand is held in the firm, unyielding grasp of the Almighty, need you fear ? Commune with j^our Saviour upon this question, and he will assure you tliat hh strength is your strength. He knows the weak- ness of your flesh, but does he love you less be- cause you cleave to him tremblingly. No ! rather does he look upon you with yet great nderness, while he compassionately says, " The & nt indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." When prone to sing, ♦' I hold thee with a trembling hand," may you ever be constrained to add, *' He holds me with his mighty hand," " Aye, he encompasseth my entire being within the hollow of his hand." " Why do I feel it a cross to declare what he has done for me," you inquire. Expect a daily cross. ** If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and fol- low me." In reference to some duties, even sanc- tified humanity may shrink ; but if the human will i§ subject to the divine will, and submissively says, ^'^oi my will but thine be done," I do not see ;'^iviFfey this does not imply a perfect state of the af- fections. I hope my dear sister will ever, through grace, " Cast aside that enthusiastic doctrine, that we are not to do good, unless our hearts are free :' .• - 200 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Ordained for a Great Work. What a Worm may do. ■ 1 to it.'* With David, may you ever be disposed to call upon all that fear the Lord, and tell what great things he hath done for your soul. And now, my dear sister, do not be startled, when I tell you that you have been ordained for a great work. Not by the imposition of mortal hands, or a call from man. No, Christ, the great Head of the church, hath chosen you, "and or- dained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit." my sister, yours is indeed a high and holy calling. Alas for you, if you are not found faithful to the trust committed ! But you ha\e much to encourage you. Why should you not bear much fruit ? " It is God that worketh in you." You are One with Him, who of God is made unto us Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption. how mighty may you be as an instrument in the hand of God ! " He holds you by the right hand, and with you, though but a worm, he may thrash a mountain." How powerless, and even unseemly, were the instrimients through which the walls of Jericho fell. Had the combined force of the mighty of the earth been called into requisition, for the ac- complishment of this enterprise, then the excellency of the power might have been ascribed to men, not to God. And now our God will not give his glory to another. When he intends that the strong cita- del which sin has raised in the hearts of men should I c c r 1 s t f ^»u- A l^ FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 201 Don't Reason. Worldly-minded Christians. >> b- be assailed, if be cbooses instruments as impotent, or as unlooked-for, as were tbose mms* horns, we will not question bis wisdom. Let us not sa}-, Wbat doest tbou ? but, without reasoning, resign ourselves into bis bands. In regard to the individuals to whom you have referred, I could but exclaim, bow strong and high is the barrier which renders the hearts of some, who profess love to the Saviour, impervious to the light, respecting the doctrine of salvation from all sin. May we not fear, that in many in- stances, it is because " the god of this world bath blinded the minds of them which believe not ?" Worldly-minded Christians ! Does not the ex- pression imply an agreement between Christ and Belial ? an agreement which the Scriptures most strongly deny. Yet, alas! in v/hat a variety- of ways is the friendship of this world courted, by some who profess union with Christ. Should it be said to such, " Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of this world is enmity with God ; whosoever, therefore, will be a friend of the world, is the enemy of God," they would be amazed ; yet this passage exhibits the true state of worldly professors toward God. May you, my beloved friend, keep your gar- ments unspbtted. Amid a crooked and perverse generation, may you shine as a light in the world. If this prayer is answered in your experience, youi . \ 292 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Expect Persecution. Specified Wants. ¥ : : daily walk and conversation will be a reproof to such professors as would join in affinity with the world. Expect persecution from such. '* If ye will live godly in Christ Jesus, ye shall suffer per- secution ;" therefore make up your mind to this, and may God give you great courage, and ever, through sustaining grace, may you be " Bold to take up, firm to sustain, The consecrated cross." Your sister in Christ. No. XLVII.— TO REV. MR. H- Specified wants; presented, supplied, doubted — The inference — The great exchange; a man given and a God received— " Was God unfaithful ?" — Mr. H 's statement of his experience — A precise answer to a specific request— Confession delayed; urged —Witnesses of perfect love needed in the ministry. Brother H— — kindly permits me to ask qiies- tions, or present truth, in any form, and I grate- fully avail myself of the privilege. A picture presents itself to my mind. Brother H has a son, whom he much loves. The boy lias been in perilous circumstances, and comes to his father hungry, thirsty, and all want. His heart has been abundantly fissured, from a know- ledge of your nature and the resources at your command to gratify the prom.ptings of your be- nevolent wishes, that he has but to come and pre- sent his case, to have all his need supplied. He FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 293 Iroof to dth the '' If ye Fer per- |to this, id ever, ist. infercDce — 'ed— "Was eriejice — A ycd; urged sk ques- I grate- Brother The boy jomes to [it. His a know- at your ^our be- ind pre- id. He " It may be sometliing else." A Questionable Position. has heard his father say, " Ask what you will, my son, and it shall be given you." Thus, at your bidding, he begins to specify his wants, and says, ** Father, I am thirsty, give me water." The re- quest is answered; he drinks, and at once feels precisely the effect anticipated. I ask — *'Did your father give you water?" Should he, with perhaps a saddened countenance, reply, " I do not know ; I only know that it was water I wanted." " But did not your f^ither assure you, that he would give just what you asked ; and* does not the effect answer youi* anticipations?" "Yes, my system is indeed greatly invigorated, but yet I cannot determine — it may be spiiaething else." r . . ■ " But your father knew that you needed water, and it was because he saw your need, and had a plentiful supply, that he told you, you should have it, if you asked for it; and how can you reconcile the conduct of your father with truth ? Does the general bearing of his conduct toward you warrant this want of confidence? Do you not know that you cast a shade upon the character of your father, by indulging in this mode of rea- soning? The paternal love — ability — or fidelity, of your father, seems to be involved." Which of the three would you have me question ? Your son looks toward me reproachfully, and thinks me unkind, and yet I know not how, from 294 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. The Great Exchange. A Want of Fidelity implied. .1 his statement of his case, to arrive 9,t other conclu- sions; and however much he may be pained, he alone is responsible for the untrue, or unkind thoughts I may entertain of his father. Brother H 's spirit was all athirst for the fountain of life and purity. His heavenly Father liad given him to see the image of his Saviour in- finitely desirable. The conditions upon which it was to be received, were set before you, ar i your spirit compHed. The Holy Spirit urged you to take the image of your Saviour, assuring you that He had taken yours. You made the exchange — " gave him your sin, and took his purity — gave him your shame, and took his honor — gave him your helplessness, and took his strength — gave him yoiu* death, and took his everlasting life." Yes, you made the exchange. It was not in your own strength, that you were enabled to exchange your own vile image for the blessed likeness of your Saviour. But you did^ through grace, do it, and here was fidelity on your part. Was God unfaithful in the performance of his part of the Cxigagement ? How can it be other- wise, if the position which you occupy be correct ? If the want of fidelity on the part of God is not implied in the attitude in which you stand, I do not apprehend your experience, and must wait to be further informed. Now, dear brother, do you not think this posi- [nclu- (d, lie ikind Ir the father ir in- ige- FRAGMENTS FllOM MY PORO^OLIO. Mr. H 's own Statement of his Experience. 295 tion inconsistent ? " Does it not intimate a fault on the part of your Saviour?" And yet your whole heart is saying, "I have no fault to find with my Saviour," his name is *' Faithful and True.** You have acknowledged, that at the mo- ment you made the " exchange **. — the surrender of self, He was at once true to the performance of his part of the engagement. To use your o"svn words, " His omnipotent hand was laid upon me — I felt it not only outwardly but inwardly — it pressed upon my whole being, and diffused all through and through it a sin-consuming, holy energy. As it passed downward, my heart, as well as my head, was conscious of the presence of this soul-cleansing energy, under which I fell to the floor, and, in joy- ful surprise, at the moment cried out with a loud voice. Still the hand of power wrought within and without, and wherever it moved, it seemed to leave the impress of the Saviour's image." Now, brother, was God true and faithful ? Your own confession has thrown the want of fidelity on yourself, and here I know you would have it rest. But will you, by word, thought, or hole, in future be instrumental in cherishing, in any one heart, the impression that your heavenly Father, after having induced you to specify your wants, might possibly have given something else in place of that he had caused you to ask for? I think the lessons in doctrine, repro^ correction, and ! "> I I 296 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. The Tliree Loaves. Confession should have been made. instruction in righteousness, contained in the first paragraph of the 11th chapter of Luke, meets youi case precisely. A specific request is here made, the friend wanted three loaves. Because of his importunity, his friend rises, and gives as mani/ as he needs. And then the Saviour says, " Ask and it shall be given you, &c. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a sto7ie ? or, if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent ? or, if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion ?" You know, dear brother, that your heavenly Father gave just the blessing you asked for, and your error has been in not confessing with your lips his faithfulness in fulfilling his promises. Your heart has believed, but your lips have not fully, freely, and liabitually made confession. And thus your part of the work has been left in part unful- filled. Do you not think, brother, that the time past should suffice ? Would not God have been much more honored through your instrumentality, had you not refrained your lips, but fully and freely declared with David, to the great congregation, the faithfulness of your God ? O ! no longer Mdct in any degree, his righteousness within your heart ; redeem the time, and be assured, that the more you hold up tlie light that God has kindled, the more gloriously will your own soul become illu- minated. first youi ? or, if he >>» FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 297 How the Creature may be Humbled. An Encouraging Thought. A very holy man once said, he felt it his duty to confess to the outside of what he enjoyed — as- sured that it not only honored God, but humbled the creature. And, dear brother, I know you will find it so in your own 'experience. I think you must begin to feel that you have been kept back from more open confession, by a well-circumstanced device ^f the enemy of God, of holiness, of your soul ; and, if you continue longer thus, will not the enemy secure a partial triumph? Are you as strongly empowered to serve the cause of holiness, and honor your Saviour, /ho has imparted his image to you, as if you were enabled to declare at all times, unhesitatingly, that he sanctifies and saves you fully ? An encouraging thought presents itself. You know it is said that the wrath of our enemies shall ^^^^ praise him. Now, brother, should you not take pains to give publicity to your failure, in not con- fessing more specifically the great work that God has wrought for you? Your testimony might reach, and bring out many more among the dear brethren in the ministry, similarly conditioned with yourself — and surely this would not be a small service to the church. You know how much the cause requires wit- nesses among the ministry ; witnesses " that speak of that they know, and testify of tliat they have seen" and for want of such testimony, the work is 4^ If : ! ?i I 298 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. A Minister's Responsible Position. Impelling Influences. less prosperous among the people than it would otherwise be. You know the Word directs us for example in faith and practice to the ministrij, "whose faith foUoiv** — "For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and the people should seek the law at his mouth.'* If such is the responsible attitude in which God's ambassadors stand, surely Jesus says, more ap- pealingly to them than to us, "Ye are my wit- nesses;" and the account of their stewardship, when called to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus, may be found to be vastly less satisfactory, from the very fact that the testimony of their own experience had not been more fully brought ou* before the people. Faithfully yours. No. XLVIII.— TO MR. C- Impelled to activity bythe Word— An enthusiastic doctrine— A nice point— Quietism— Abral) am pleading for Sodom— Moses pleading for Israel — Christ in the person of his saints. In answer to your inquiry I will say, I do not think I have less faith in praying for the unconverted than formerly. "If so," you ask, "how has it been nourished and retained?" I answer, not generally by what may in one sense be termed im- pelling influences, but from the obvious require- ments of the Word, " Be ye steadfast, immovable, i FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 299 Inces. would US for \inistry, i's lips should God's ore ap- ny wit- ardship, n Christ 5factory, leir own ight ou^ irs. tie— A nice iS pleading lot think )nverted V has it ver, not ned im- require- novablo, Talents must bo used. God wills the Sinner's Salvation. always abounding in the work of the Lord ;" — " In- stant in season, out of season ;" — with kindred pas- sages implying the utmost vigilance, and requiring the most skillful management in the employment of talents intrusted for usefulness. Otherwise, how can we, as faithful stewards, return his own with usury ? Mr. Wesley, in accordance with these Scripture enjoinments, says in his rules for the Methodist Societies, " Casting aside that enthusiastic doctrine, that we are not to do good unless our hearts are free to it.'* The greater the good to be accom- plished, the more powerful and subtil will be the dissuasives which Satan will interpose. It is the will of God that sinners should be saved, and that the most energetic and unremitting efforts should be made in warning entreating, and even compelling them to close in with the offers of mercy. So when we pray for the unoenverted, whether we feel like it or not, we may have this confidence, that we ask that which is according to the will of God, and divine influences will descend upon them in answer to the prayer of faith, whether they will hear or whether they will forbear — it is thus that we are workers together with God — a sweet savor of Christ in them that are saved, and in them that perish. The manner, then, in which I have been enabled through grace to retain and nourish this ** sympathy with Christ," is by continuing to labor in I ' 300 FAITH AND ITG EFFECTS. Labor. Slirinkings. God's Purpose changed by Prayer. with him in saving the souls for whom his most precious blood was fleading >t might reprove ired his 3 doom- he prin- awaited lot prc- dd have t of the Moses, forgive- Y doom fVhatso- io, that ' And jat and »d hath FRAGMENTS THOM MY PORTFOLIO. 301 Sum of Religion. Coiiformity to the Will of God. declared, '* For these things will I be inquired of b)'- the house of Israel." ** The life of God in the soul of man," is said to be tlie sum of religion. " For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Chiist in God." If Christ is our life, will not our lives be an exhibition of what his was when here below? His whole life was one continuous effort for the salvation of man, and to the degree we partake of his nature, we will ex- hibit before the world what he was when on earth. It is thus I am ever prone to measure my own at- tainments in grace. It is blessed indeed to sink into the will of God ; but in order to know that we are in his will, we need a revelation of it, so that we may measure ourselves by its standard. This revelation we have fully exhibited in. the life of Christ, and now it is for us to sink down " into the purple flood, then shall we rise moulded in his image, and present a glorious pattern, before men, of conformity to the will of God" Yours truly. -''^ ■ i « \ir'~ 302 FAITH AND 1T8 EFFKCTS. Led by a Right Way. Domestic Cares No. XLIX.— TO MRS. I.ed by a right way — Domestic cares — A Mother's Trials— Tests ol grace should be welcome — Predictions — Trials — Triumphs — Mrs. Susannah Wesley — Daughters of Sarah— The Wesley Family — Influence of American republicanism on American wives — Quo- tation from Mrs. W.'s biography — Apology. Yes, beloved, he hath, indeed, led us by a riffht way. Only think of a Father infinite in goodness, wisdom, and love, leading forth hm children, and in every strait which the fearful, disquieting career of life may present, saying, " Cast off the weight, let fear depart, And every care be gone," " For I, the Lord thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying rnto thee. Fear not, I will help thee. Led by the hand of the infinitely wise, omnipotent Jehovah ! How truly, then, may we encourage and confirm our hearts in the knowledge that we are in verity being led forth in the " rir/ht way." We have committed ourselves to his guidance, and none ever trusted in him and was confounded. Your beloved babe confines you mostly from those outward active services to which you have been accustomed, — services which you were per- mitted to see promotive of the kingdom of Christ, and in the performance of Avhich, your own soul was also quickened in the heavenly way. Well, you do not need me to assure you that this is " the [Tests ol lis— Mrs. i'amily— ;s— Quo- i right )dness, and in reer of T right p thee, ipotent ourage hat we way." ce, and d. Y from 1 have e per- Christ, n soul AVell, 3 " the FRAGMENTS FROM MY TORTFOLU). ao3 Tests of Maternal Piety. Tlxe Mighty have fallen. right way " for you at the present time ; your let- ter furnishes most conclusive testimony of your confidence in this particular. One of your own sweet privileges is hereby granted, and you are thus permitted to testy and also to exhibit the power of grace to sustain, in cir- cumstances where thousands of pious mothers are placed, and where, alas ! too many are prone to let go their hold on the provisions of grace. How many who have adorned the doctrine of God their Saviour, when free from the vexatious cares of a little family, have, when their quiet has been thus broken in upon in the order of Providence, become weak as others. You are aware of the opinion which has obtained with a large class of house-keepers, as to the diffi- culty, and some might say, impossibility of main- taining unbroken peace, and unquenched zeal, amid the unceasing trial o^ patience, and untold vicissi- tudes, to which a mother is exposed in rearing a fimily. . More especially have I observed those possessed of a higher grade of mi-'.d, inclining to pursuits calculated to tell extensively on the world, exposed to severe mental conflicts on this point. And here I must indulge in sorrowing reflections — I have seen the mighty fall ! Now, beloved, can I doubt but that oar God is bringing you forth by " the right way," when to 304 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. H . V Triumph amid the Ordeal. Tests of Grace should bo prized. the gaze of the world, and also to the knowledge of your own heart, you stand forth confessedly of the class alluded to. And will not my dear sister acknowledge herself signally blest, in being brought through the o. deal, maintaining unbroken peace, unabated zeal, and yet deeper devotedness to the service of her Redeemer. " Yes," I hear you ask, '* Is it not matter of re- joicing and thanksgiving, that we have the p^^ivi- lege of testing the power of that grace which is so abundantly bestowed in time of need. With you, my dear sister, my whole heart responds, " Glory be to God for these tests." Not unfrequently it is said, '* If Mrs. only had this and the other trial to endure, she might not so confidently affirm the sufficiency of grace under all circumstances." Similar expressions have been made relative to the unworthy one addressing you; and then when called to pass through trials of like nature, and grace has triumphed, observant lovers of Jesus have informed me of the sentiments expressed, which were before unknown to me, and then have I been constrained to say most exidtingly indeed, " He halh led me forth by the right way." How my admiration of the grace of God has been raised in contemplating the character of Mrs. Susannah Wesley. Surely here was an intellect of the highest order, which well fitted her to shine FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 805 >rized. wledge edly of T sister )rought peace, to the r of re- privi- cli is so th you, " Glory itly it is le other y affirm tances." e to the Q when ire, and if Jesus pressed, en have indeed, j^od has of Mrs. intellect to sbinft Mrs. Wesley. Family Jurisdiction. Republican Principles. with no common lustre cither in the religious or literary world. She was endowed naturally witli the most marked independence, originality, and correctness of thought, which capacitated her to act (under God) for herself beyond ordinary ability. Yet, even an inspired Paul would not, I think, have hesitated in ranking her among the most favorite daughters of her who called her husband, lord. Scarce would I dare breathe a thought that would reflect other than the highest honor on the memory of the father of the illustrious Wesley, yet I think there are few who have read the interest- ing history of the Wesley family, but will join me in saying that the husband's lordly prerogative was maintained quite to the boimds that Scriptural propriety might warrant, and perhaps a little be- yond what the gallantry and republicanism of the present day would justify. Can we survey the character of Mrs. Wesley from a more elevated position than this ? Had she contended the point of family jurisdiction, from a consciousness of her intellectual superiority, how disastrous had the consequences been to her own peace and the well- being of her family. Modem usage might possi- bly have sanctioned this. I have known the peace of an entire household shipwrecked here ; and from what I have frequently observed, have feared that our republican principles may have affected our 'K-n V ■ FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. American Wives. A Remarkable Mother. American wives somewhat unfavorably, inducing a forgetfulness of some express Scriptural injunctions on this point. Mrs. Wesley's biographer says thus of her : " Notwithstanding she allotted two hours of the day for meditation and private prayer, no woman was ever more diligent in business, or attentive to family affairs than she. Remarkable for method and good arrangement, both in her studies and business, she saved much time and kept her mind free from perplexity. She had nineteen children ! (think of the amount of physical suffering and care,) ten of whom at least grew up to be educa- ted. This duty fell upon her ; and it were scarcely possible that they should have had a better in- structor." Yet all this, with the advantages which wealth insures, might not by some be pronounced extra- ordinary excellence. But let it be remembered that this wonderful woman was often called to grapple with poverty and its attendant circum- stances, and surely it will be said, though " many daughters have done virtuously, thou excellest them all." And now, my dear sister will wonder at such a long chapter on such an unlooked-for subject ; and without intending the infliction, I may have taxed her, by gratifying my own feelings in tracing a character so amiable. You will surely FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 307 m health. A Letter received as a Gift. cing a ictions f her : of the woman tive to method ies and er mind lildren ! mg and 5 educa- scarcely etter in- li wealth id extra- embered cialled to circum- L **many excellest at such a cct; and ay have elings in ill surely imagine my health improved to admit of writing such a long letter. But though somewhat im- proved, yet it is still but seldom I dare take my pen, and when guilty of what my too careful hus- band might call the ungracious act, I dare not continue its use but a little while at a time ; yet I think I can as easily conclude this to be ** the right way for me at the present time, as I can conceive it to be " the right way " for you to write your excellent letter, " a line or two at a time, with your dear babe in your arms." That the Lord moved you to write as you did I cannot doubt, for I had been longing and praying for a letter from you, and when I received it I knelt and thanked the Father of mercies that his Spirit had induced you to write. May He who has undertaken to lead us forth by a right way to the city of habitation, preserve us unto his heavenly kingdom, and after having been led forth through this changeful world by the right hand of omnipotent love, may we hail each other in the abode of ever-during rest ; and may we also be permitted to greet each member of our beloved households in the city of our God. Yours ever, in changeless love. FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. " I hate Vain Thoughts." Satanic Resistance. No. L — TO MRS. H . Wandering thoughts — Satanic resistance— A strong testimony in the midst of temptation — Satan defied — God tempted by question- ings— A life of faith — Tlie cost counted — Unwavering reliance- Fruits of faith— A precious gem— Shortness of time— Sudden death contemplated. You speak of wanderings in prayer. I am a sister in tribulation with you in this matter. But all I can do is to cast^ myself on Jesus, as a Saviour y to save me from cherishing them. He knows my in- tegrity, and I dare to believe he pities me, when I repeatedly say before him, " I hate vain thoughts.'* And does not tlie/ac^ that we so truly abhor them, assure us that they are only a class of those end- less temptations from without, which so long as we are in an enemy's land, we may expect ? I have thought that it is only because the enemy conceives he can perplex me more at present, with this mode of warfare, that he so long persists. You also observed, that "when laboring with others, endeavoring to encourage, &c., you are so tiied within." Can you expect otherwise than that Satan should withstand you, when you are endeavoring to do the work of your Master ? The warfare is not so much against yo?/, as against the kingdom of Christ. He is at enmity with God, and to the degree you exert an influence in bringing souls under the reign of Christ, Satan will try to FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 309 A Strong Testimony in tho midst of Temptation. nony in uestion- iance — Sudden I sister t all I OUVy to my in- when I ights." r them, so Qna- ^ as we I have ►nceives is mode ig with L are so ;e than yovL are ? The inst the hd, and 3ringing II try to i perplex, and in every possible way withstand you. But, dear sister, did you not make use of too strong language in speaking of *' endless douhtings.'* You surely do not, in thus laboring with others, or in giving in your testimony, doubt whether you will be sustained ? You labor for, and with others, because the Holy Spirit moves you to it. What other influence could move you to labor for the establishment of the kingdom of your Redeemer in the hearts of others ? Satan, divided against him- self, cannot stand. You desire to be delivered from these, so that you may bear a " stronger testimony." I think I sometimes give in a stronger testimony when tempt- ed to doubt, than when all is quiet. If Satan could induce me to yield so far as to weaken my testi- mony, it would, on my part, be c^ partial closing in with his designs, and doubtless if he should suc- ceed once, it would only embolden for an attack on every such occasion. So I make it a point, when most powerfully tempted, to speak most confidently. You may wonder, but I have proved the benefit of this course. At the Tuesday meet- ing two or three weeks since, I practised on this principle precisely. The accuser for several day& had been withstanding me at every point. He would fain have accused me in every word, thought, or action. Added to this, sensible assurances of I 'm ; i ! : !! :l 310 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Satan defied in the Name of Chiist. Tempting God. the love of my Sadour were in a great measure withheld; and thus, with an indescribable sense of iinworthiness, but with a consciousness of resting on Christ, I gave in a " stronger testimony " than usual. The feeling that possessed my soul was, that of defying Satan in the name of Christ ; the enemy every moment saying that my state of grace did not warrant the testimony I had given. After I had finished, I felt such a conscious victory over the powers of darkness that my soul was filled with triumph. I afterward enjoyed blessed satisfaction in telling them, that the strong testimony I had given in was not founded on any state of feeling I at the time enjoyed, but because I knew I was by faith resting 0]i the strong basis of the immutable word to sustain me in all I had said, and even in using much stronger language if it were possible. You know Israel tempted God, in saying, "/« the Lord with us or not .^" Let us not tempt him by doubts, either in thought or expression. "Wo cannot honor God more than by trusting him. Let us " trust in him and not be afraid^ If we were continually possessed of sensible manifestations, should we have occasion to exercise our trust in God ? Trust and faith seem to imply much the same thing, and neither favors the idea of long- continued sensible manifestations. You may re- member that a part of your letter was in allusion to this subject. jasure ise of Img on lusual. lat of nemy ce did ^fter I y over d with faction I had leling I was by autable Bven in ssible. g' a Is pt him t. Wo I. Let e were tations, rust in ich the f long- lay re- tUusion FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 311 The Cost counted of living a Life of Faitli. Temptations. When I set out to live a Ufe of faith on the Son of God, I counted the cost. I thought of the " father of the faithful," who " by faith journeyed, not knowing whither he went," and made up my mind that I would be contented to follow God blindfold- ed as long as I lived, if such were his requirement. I saw holiness to be a state of soul in which all the powers of body and mind were given up to God, and I perceived that the enjoyment of this state was in perfect consistency with extreme sorrow, as well as with exceeding great joy. Through grace I was enabled to say, '* Give joy or grief, give ease or pain, Take life or friends away." These were among my first expressions on enter- ing upon this state. It has often since been sug- gested that I gave myself up so fully to live a life of faithy that God had taken me at my word. And will you believe, the enemy sometimes tries to tempt me to be sorry for it. But he has never succeeded in causing me to regret it for one moment. But you would hardly conceive how often he trios to make me think my faith a mere intellectual knowledge. I meet him by saying, it is founded on principles laid down by the eternal Mind, and consequently immovable m faithfulness. God has promised such results as the fruits of faith. I trust him, and on the authority of his own word declare in strongest testimony, his faithfulness in Ifff mm I I Hi! 312 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. ! ! w ! I hi I |>i ■ ' ' ' nil I lit l!Ji':i Fruits of Faith. Worth of the Promises. Shortness of Time. fulfilling his promises. The fruits of holiness fol- low — I dare not doubt it. A consuming zeal in the cause of God, which gathers within its grasp my whole being, is continually inspiring correspond- ing efforts. " My soul shall make her boast in the Lord, and the humble shall hear thereof and be glad." " Otic promise is worth more than a moun- tain of gold reaching to the heavens." How rich are we. Unto us are given exceeding great and precious promises. I found an inestimably precious gem a few days since, which, in view of what my tempta- tions had been, was precisely in point. " Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy time, and strength of salvation :* the fear of the Lord is his treasure." Isa. xxxiii, 6. Satan seems to have mostly done with my intellectual faith since. I have, dear sister, through grace, a good hope of immortality and eternal life. Our hope of seeing each other is deferred. But as it is by our hea- venly Father's appointment, our hearts are not sick With us. " This note above the rest does swell, Our Jesus hath done all things well." We are sisters in the Lord, and our hearts are united for eternity, and as we are only to take in a small fraction of time here, we will rejoicingly say, " No matter what cheer We meet with on earth ; for eternity 's here .'" Time seems very short, and I have some thoughts * Salvations. Margin rrime. Iss fol- leal in grasp pond- in the nd be moun- ich are •ecious gem a Bmpta- Visdom y time, Lord is ;o have ice. I lope of seeing ir hea- ot sick ^s are ke in a \y say, Dughts FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOUO. 313 Thouglits iu Relation to a Sudden Departure from Earth. I would like to express. But I see your aflfection- ate heart is too easily moved, and you well know how often people have impressions which are never realized. But I will say that a sudden departure from earth seems to me calculated to glorify God, just as much, if not more, than a protracted ill- ness. And if either our beloved brother or sister were thus taken by surprise, and required to " open unto Him immediately,^^ I should think of it as in the case of Emory. The church was then roused through the length and breadth of the land, to feel the solemn import of the" words, " Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man conjeth." I am trying to have my work " all done up," and to do what my hand findeth to do, with my might. So many are comparatively easy without having on the white robe, that I have thought, if my being taken at a moment's warning would arouse the many for whom I have been interested to feel abidingly the importance of being ready, I would be willing to be laid a sacrifice upon the service of the faitli of the church in this matter also. Shall we not strive with pen and voice, and in every possible way, to work while the day lasts ? Yours, as ever. 1! '"llil I'll : ; I'illli r hi i m m SU PAITII AND ITS EFFECTS. Members of one Body. Tower to exercise Faith may be withheld No. LI.— TO REV. MR. . The childien of God are one in interest— Obligations vary according to relationships — Abraham's unheard-of path of duty — Remarka ble requisition— Satan's subtilties — Just where light meets us— Willing is not doing — Tlie appearance of evil — A questionable practice cripples faith— Crucifixion of the flesh required— David's sacrifice — God will help you — An old habit broken. My dear brother in Christ will be pleased to hear that his letter was rightly directed. So far from requiring an apology for writing to one of the children of your heavenly Father, it surely should rather require one for not doing so, if you were impressed that it might be serviceable to you. My mind is so fully possessed with the assurance, that all the children of God are members of one body, that I am not prone to conceive of separate interests. I was not at home when your letter reached the city of New- York, but it was brought to me at this place. I hasten to reply, though not favored with facilities for writing, nor opportunity for ma- turing my thoughts as I might otherwise do. Your case, dear brother, does not appear to me inexpHcable. I have met with a number of cases somewhat similar. Not, indeed, in regard to the precise object to be given up, but where the power to exercise faith on proper principles has been withheld, until the object required had been sur- rendered. We cannot, in all cases, make duties /ithheld icccrding lemarka Jets us— ^stionablo David's sed to d. So ) one of ' surely , if you to you. mrance, i of one separate lied the ► me at favored for ma- ' to me ^ cases to the '■ power s been in sur- duties FRAGME sTS FROM MY POUTFOLIO. 315 Obligations vary. Abraham's Faith manifested by his Obedience. one for the other, because our obligations vary from a variety of causes, being as diversified as are the positions in which we are providentially placed. Abraham was called to sacrifice Isaac. He did not know at the time, why such an unheard-of duty was enjoined. It was enough that God had made the demand. But it was the design of God, that Abraham should stand out before all succeed- ing generations, as the father of the faithful — ^the friend of God. " Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." Over four thousand years, Abraham has been reaping the fruit of his obedience. He knows now why the sacrifice was required, and we should be willing to wait till the day of eternity reveals the wherefore, for this or the other requirement, assured that the Judge of all the earth will do right. Infinite wisdom can require nothing but what will be for the promotion of the divine glory, and for our ultimate good. It was thus that I was required to sacrifice an object, which, at the time, I was not aware stood in any degree between God and my soul. As far as the state of my affections was concerned, I could see no reason why I should make the sur- render. I had never even heard of any one under like circumstances, being cal'ed to a similar trial. Satan, on this ground, urged that this must be temptation. How he loves to carry out his decep- tions, by transforming himself into an angel of 816 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Satan may tempt us that we are tempted. light. If he can only succeed in causing us to pronounce upon the workings of the Spirit, as the workings of his own fiendish power, he is as well satisfied with the transformation, as though it were accompHshed by any other process. But relative to the sacrifice to which I was called, the Holy Spirit suggested, Though Abraham did not know, when called to sacrifice his son Isaac, why such a requirement was made, yet he knows now ; and are you willing to wait till you are an inhabitant of that world where knowledge is made perfect, in order to know why this sacrifice is required at your hands ? Praised be the Lord my strength, through whose power I had now come, not only to a willingness to be holy, but to the decision, I will now he holy, and lay all upon the altar, though the sacrifice be dear as life itself. The surrender was made. Then, and not till then, did clear light beam upon my mind. All was not upon the altar till I came to this point. When I came to this, I was met, as usual, by the words, "ij^any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine." " God is the Lord which hath showed us light : bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar." Psalm cxviii, 27. We have no authority from ih^ word of tlie Lord, to expect clear light, tmtil the sacrifice is bound to the altar. The clear beamings of the FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 817 us to as the as well it were 'relative le Holy t know, such a and are itant of irfect, in lired at fi whose igness to ')ly, and be dear Then, >on my ;ame to met, as lis will, le Lord ce with Psalm of tli« ifice is of the Coming up to the Light. Touch the Altar. Questionable Tracticcs. Sun of righteousness ever shine the same upon the King's highway ; but it is not till the traveler arrives at the last point, and actually comes to Christ, and gives up the last vestige of sin and self, that he enters, through the blood of the ever- lasting covenant, into the holiest. Here the bright rays from the throne of the Eternal beam at once upon his soul, and the simplicity of the way of faith is discovered. The word, as you will re- member, does not say, " If any man is willimj to do his will, he shall know of the doctrine ;" but, " if any man will do his will," (fee. What a vast dif- ference it would have made in ancient times, if those who were commanded to present the re- quired sacrifices had contented themselves with a willingness to lay their offerings upon the altar, without ever actually coming to the point of making the surrender ! It was not until their sacrifices touched the altar, that they were made holy. As well might they have kept them at the distance of a mile, as to have kept them within arm's-reach. It is said of the way of holiness, " The unclean shall not pass over it." If we are in the practice of that which is questionable, we must either be- come '' fully persuaded," or come under condem- nation. *' He that doubteth, is damned." "Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." The command, "Abstain from all appearance of evil," is equally binding with that 318 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. A worse than Useless Habit. ** The Time of this Ignorance." which requires abstinence from evil itself. You speak of a habit in which you have indulged for many years which gives you imeasiness. What- ever may be thought of the necessity of using to- bacco by some well-meaning people, we know the general voice of the deeply pious is against it. A profession of holiness, and a continuance in this practice, would subject many minds to questionings which would make your testimony less useful. " Could I enjoy a state of holiness, and yet indulge in this unseemly, and worse than useless, habit ?'* would be the inquiry with many a precious one for whom Christ died. Should your persistence in this habit make you less successful, as a minister, in presenting the claims of holiness, with but one individual, may you not conjecture that your Re- deemer would look chidingly upon you in that day, when you will be called to present every man per- fect in Christ Jesus ? I was about to say, I am glad you were not brought into a state of holiness while continuing in this practice. But I am reminded by referring to your letter, that you thought you were once in the enjoyment of this blessing, though this habit was not at the time reHnquished. I hardly know what to say to this, only that " the time of this ignorance God winked at," &c. Your mind was not then as fully enlightened in relation to the harm- fulness of this practice as it now is. And may not 3 c f I 3 lance. You jed for What- bing to- low the it. A in this tionings useful, indulge habit ?" one for ;ence in minister, but one our Re- hat day, lan per- ere not itinuing sferringf once in s habit Y know of this nd was i liarm- lay not FUAGMENTS FROM MY I'OUTFOMO. 319 Misgivings cripple Faith. Questions. your misgivingsy even at the time, ultimately have crippled your faith in such a way as to prevent a firm hold on the blessing ? To me it looks proba- ble, that till this time you might have held fast your confidence, had it not been for this difficulty. * * * O, I am sure you will thank God that he has thus, in answer to your oft-repeated petitions for light y enabled you to perceive the object ; and though the surrender may be crucifying to the flesh, yet witli David you will say, " Neither will I offer burnt-offerings unto tlie Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing." Yours, in Christian love. No. Lll.— TO THE REV. MR. M . Can persons who are sincerely pious be deceived? — Satan trans- forms himself— A visit from a fiend clothed in an angel garb im- agined ; he quotes Scripture — How Christ received such a one — Satan loves a shining mark — A sure method of finding him out — The Bible the only chart — Satan may answer petitions presented on wrong premises — Gracious assurances may be counterfeited. How is it possible that so many sincerely pious persons should be deceived, may be asked ? Did they not take the book — ^the only hooh to guide poor erring men to heaven? Was not this their only chart ? And did they not say, By this one and only sure guide we stand or fall ? And also was not the Holy Spirit, which has been promised to guide into all truth, earnestly implored ? How, 'H m 320 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Pious Persons may be deceived. " In all Deceivableness." after this careful, Bible-directed mode of proce- dure, can these mistakes be accounted for ? And can we conceive otherwise, than that, after all the apparent failures, we must be mainly right ? In answer to the question relative to the possi- bility of sincerely pious persons being deceived, I would say. To me it seems very possible. I now tread on ground where I would proceed with the most humble dependence upon Christ as my wis- dom, and will endeavor through his grace to pre- sent no idea but what may be fully qualified by a reference to the " law and to the testimony." The arch deceiver is represented in the Scriptures as capable of transforming himself into an angel of light. I have such confidence in your piety, dear sir, and also in the Christian integrity of very many who have adhered to your views, that I fully be- lieve you would turn away from the deceiver, if he should present himself in his native robe. How far would you be from receiving an opinion from one that you know to be a fiend of the lower re- iiions ! But would it not serve the interests of the prince of darkness, whose coming is in all dcceiv- iiHeness, if he could get a sincere Christian, espe- cially one of elevated piety and extensive useful- ness, would he not, I ask, serve the interests of his kingdom by a corresponding extensiveness, if he could so transform himself as to appear truly as an angel of light, and thus get such a one en- f proce- ? And ir all the t? Ihe possi- Iceived, I I now with the my wis- e to pre- fied by a ' The ptures as angel of iety, dear ery many fully be- iver, if he ►e. How lion from lower re- sts of the 11 dcceiv- ian, espe- e useful- tercsts of »^eness, if ear truly L one en- FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 321 A Fiend clothed in an Angel Garb. A Shining Mark. gaged in carrying out his designs ? Should the deceiver, thus clothed in light, rise up before us this moment, would not the first impression be, to regard him really as an angel from hea- ven ? And then to cap the climax of deceiv- ableness, if he should bring detached portions from the blessed word, as he did to our Saviour, and tell us, " It is written,^^ how hastily we might be prompted to yield ! But what would be wisdom in such a dilemma as this ? The Saviour has set an example, just in point. He brings up the detached portions, and by the light of truth, symmetrically ar- ranged, Satan is vanquished. From the example just presented, and from the history of the world, from Adam down to the present time, we are fur- nished with assurances that Satan " Loves a shining mark ;" and that he should fix his eye on one so distin- guished for piety and talent as the lamented and distinguished individual referred to in our last, is just what might have been expected ; but that he siiould have succeeded with his deceptions, so far as to turn his eye off from the one direct path, and to divert his devoted heart and labors from the one thing needful to those lesser matters of end- less genealogies, (fee, I confess not to be so easily accounted for. " If such sincere persons may thus, with Bible in hand, be deceived, hov/ can we come at any 31 322 FAITH AND ITS EFFi-CTS. itIliHiitinii I uimm A Lamp. Try the Spirits. Human Calculations. certain standard of truth ?" may still be urged. This leads to a more exphcit answer to the second ques- tion, David says, " Thy word is a lamp.'* It i?? the lif'-ht that maketh manifest. We are admonish- o ed to believe not every spirit, but tr^j the spirits whether they be of God. And by what standard are we to try them ? " To the law and to the tes- timony ; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." It is only thus that a fiend of darkness, when transformed, can be discerned from a true angel of hght. It is by holding up this lamp, and with prayerful scru- tiny drawing aside the assumed vestments, that we are enabled clearly to discover his decep- tions. In answer to the question, " Whether you did not take the Bible, as the one and only foundation of your faith," I answer, No. You added thereunto, by making a faith necessary to salvation which could not be understood without the addition of human calculations. This, you know, is must expressly prohibited by the word : see Rev. xxii, 18, "If any man shall add imto these things," (fee. You surely will not now say, that your peculiar views relative to the time of the se- cond advent can be adduced from tlic Lille ahne. In that blessed book, the way to lieas'^^ji is set forth * 18: men, pu lyff thougli not err. But who v/ould ever have '.ho-ight of ins. This d ques- It is ["noiiisli- spirits tandard the tes- is word, t is only sformcd, t. It is ful scru- its, that > decep- II did not iation of iierennto, )n which addition ', is must ee Rev. ito these say, that >f the se- r. le alvne. \ set forth )r>ls, shall 3 .ight of PUAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 32iJ An Illegitimate Faith. Supernatural Influences not always divine amving at your views from the simple word of God, without the aid of human calculations ? You may say, what has been added in making up the sum of the advent faith has been gathered from accredited history, of which all may inform them- selves, if they will only be at the pains to do so. And if they should do so, and come at your faith, would it be a faith made up from the Bible ? As it is, our best historians and commentators differ as to the date of events, both ecclesiastical and pro- fane ; and if any one, or half dozen of them, had been permitted to add their calculations to the sacred text, what a Bible should we by this time have had ? But have you not, in a sense, done this ? And I think you can hardly conceive of the perplexities in which many sincere minds have been involved, in fruitless endeavors to bring out your faith from the Bible. " But was not the guidance of the Spirit of truth earnestly implored in these investigations, and have not spiritual influences, which cannot be accounted for otherwise than from a supernatural source, given corroborative evidence of the propriety and truthfulness of the impressions thus gained ?" These influences can only be accounted for from the fact, that one step aside from the direct line marked out in the chart to heaven is exceedingly perilous. There is but one way in which we can rightfully claim answers to prayer, and this is di- . * 324 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. How Answers maj'be received from a Right or a Wrong Source. rectly on the ground of Bible truth. ** This is the confidence we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us." 1 John v, 14. Was it not straying from the direct line of the word, when you asked to know tlie precise time of the second advent ? Were you not withheld ad- mittance to the court of heaven by the word which says, ** Secret things belong unto God ; but those which are revealed, unto us and to our children." Should you still urge your way, you are still per- emptorily warded off by the " sword of the Spirit." " It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." Looking at the matter thus, I see not how a petition, relative to knowing the precise time of the Sa\dour's advent, could be answered from the court of heaven; and being presented on ivrong ground, might not the answer to the petition come from a lorong source ? If the adversary of God and man can transform himself into an angel of light, fjuote Scripture to suit his purpose, (fcc, why may we not presume that he would be at pains to coun- terfeit gracious assurances? We read that the working of Satan is *' loith all power, and signs, and lyiyig wonders ;" and may not some extraordinary spiritual influences, which have been experienced relative to this subject, be accounted for thus ? Yours, sincerely. jource. is the ything V, 14. of the ime of eld ad- which it those ildren." till per- of the times or his own b how a le of the •om the n icrong on come God and of light, rhy may to coun- :hat the Igns, and ordinary lerienced hns ? ely. FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 326 God will reveal it. A Class Leader questioned. No. LIII.— TO MR. L- Witness of holiness lost— Unholy class leaders responsible for low- ness of piety in the membership — The faithfulness of God proved when the blessing was lost — A light may be extinguished — Gifts derived from God must be diffused— Necessity of coming back — Promises may not be appropriated imtil the conditions are mot — In what a state of holiness consists. And now, dear brother, I have been presenting you before God in the arms of faith and prayer-. I very much regret that you have lost the witness of holiness. Do try, through the merits of your Saviour, to get so near the throne of light, that you may discover y^^s^ lioio you lost the bless- ing. You know God hath said, '* If in anything you be otherwise minded, he will reveal even this unto you." And will he not reveal tliat Avhich so vastly concerns, not only your own eternal well- being, but also that of those intrusted to your care, those whom, by the great Shepherd's appoint- ment, you are over in the Lord ? . Can you, dear brother, urge the present at- tainment of holiness, with the same point, and power, upon the members of your class, as tliouf ^^ you were in the enjoyment of the blessing ? If not, may you not have their dwarfishness in religion, or even their backslidings, measurably to answer for. Do you, as their leader, expect them to go in ad- vance of you in faith and practice ? God called you out to occupy this prominent position. Did 326 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. i I i Mill i f • A Loader should be an Example in Experience. he intend to fix the eyes of others upon you thus, mthout empowering you to be an example in ex- 2'>erience as well as an instrut or in word and doc- trine ? The sentiment dishonors God, and I am sui-e brother L will not indulge the thought, but will recognize the responsibility that rests upon him, not to give currency to it, in the minds of others, by his own example of deficiency in expe- rience. I do not wish to upbraid one I so much respect and love, but if Truth reproves, surely you will not deem me unkind. Of late my contemplations have been more than usually on the character of the Eternal, in his un- cJmngeahlenesa and truth. I should love, dear brother, to lay open my whole heart to you on this subject. The immutable Jehovah has been teaching me gracious lessons, which, to the praise of his grace, are daily becoming more estabhshed into settled principles. I dare not do otherwise than let my " yea be yea, and my nay, nay." My mind is continuallj^ confirming in the assurance, that whatsoever is more than this, cometh of evil. Sui'ely, brother, when we practice to the contrary, we exhibit that which is so unlike the character of God, that we greatly grieve and dis- honor him. You know the design of redemption is not fully answered unless the image of God be restored to the soul. How unlike conformity to the eternally FRAGMENTS FROM MY I'ORTFOLIU. 327 The Offering sanctified. Cautious in professing. thus, in ex- d doc- I am ought, s upon nds of 1 expe- much •el)^ you )re than his un- e, dear you on as been le praise abhshed therwise ^" My surance, aeth of to the hke the and dis- lot fully itored to eternally Faithful and True are we, if we are continually vacillating in our faith and purposes ! With God there is neither variableness nor shadotu of tuiminfj. More than once has God given you the witness that you were wholly his. God was faithful. The very moment you laid all upon the altar, that moment the altar sanctified the gift. All, for some time previous to this, seemed laid upon the altar, with the exception of your willy Avliich required signs and wonders ; but your will was%at last given up also. The sacrifice met the divine requirement, and was at once sanctified. You continued to prove the faithfulness of God. So long as you kept all upon the altar, the promised results followed. Yes, you were sanctified. And when you lost the blessing, you also proceed the ftiithfulness of the Lord Jehovah. You were war- ranted from his word in anticipating just the loss you sustained. It was the necessary result of the course you pursued. To use your own language, you became *^ cautious in x>rofessing the blessing." You ceased to pour out to others, and to the de- gree you did so, God ceased to pour into your own soul. You know it is said, " Give, and it shall be given you." Now when you ceased to comply with the condition, by withholding from those around you the testimony of the great salvation God had imparted — yes, hid the righteousness of God within your heart — and did not with David M''': I 119 lll'iiii! ,!| I "I I i^lH ill ! HI II ,1, ' '"iiijllljii'l i 328 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. A Light extingxiished. What a Loser ! abundantly utter the memory of his great good- ness — ceased to declare it, as you will remember you at first resolved on doing, to the great congre- gation, why wonder that to just the degree you indulged in this, your evidence should become darkened ? And when at last, as you acknowledge, you ceased to speak of it at all — hid your light al- together under a bushel — why wonder that it should be extinguished ? Was it not just what you might have expected ? How could God have been un- changeable in his purpose, and have awarded you a difterent experience ? You say you " could not have told at the time, nor have you been able to discover since, the occa- sion of your declension." If I have judged cor- rectly, you lost it by degrees, in precisely the ratio you became cautious in professing it. And this doubtless is the way in which hundreds lose the blessing. God does not impart his blessings to us for our own exclusive enjoyment. It is his design that we should be vessels sanctified to his use, through which he may communicate to the perish- ing around us the knowledge of his great salvation. It was his purpose that you should have been used as a channel, through which should flow out to the greatest possible number a knowledge of full salva- tion — a redemption from all iniquity. Only see how you have disappointed the expectations of his mercy. And wiiat a loser you have been ! How good- lember pngre- ;e you )ecome 'ledge, ght al- should . might !en un- ed you le time, le occa- ed cor- he ratio nd this Dse the >'s to us i design lis use, perish- Ivation. m used t to the 1 salva- ily see s of his How FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 329 Come back. God'y Work. Man must act. many stars might you have had in the cro^vii of your rejoicing, had you persevered ! Now brother, you see the point from which you have wandered. The changeableness has been wholly on your own part. Will you not come di- rectly hach ? This may be humbling to your spirit, but I am sure you will have to come to this deci- sion. You need not expect any more light until you make use of that which you already have. Come, brother, let those who are following your faith, know that you apprehend Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Lay all upon the altar just now, resolved that you will now believe upon the bare declaration that God has given in his word. Here is a solid foundationr^ Heaven and earth shall pass away before one jot or tittle shall fail. Restmg thus upon God's eternal truth as the only foundation of your faith — irre- spective of frames and feelings, your goings will become established. And thus in your degree, you will be continually deriving power to perfect holiness. Do you observe that it is present grace that flows out to you on condition of a present act on your part ? God will not perform 7jour part of the work, but gives you the power. He worketh in you to will, and now he requires that you should do his good pleasure. I need not say that he stands ready and infinitely desirous for the perform- ance of the work now. You hear him saying, \ 330 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. When we have a Right to the Promises. Fruits of Faith. !lt^' l!.:,'i' "Come, for all things are now ready." Do not forget that it is a present salvation received mo- mentarily from above. In view of the conditions being complied with on yom- part, He says, "I will receive you." Comply, and then you have a right to lay hold upon the promise ; and upon the bare authority of the immutable Word it is your duty to say, " Thou dost receive me." The blood of Jesus cleanseth from all unrighteousness. dear brother, leave your feelings out of the ques- tion, and now begin to live, not for an hour, or a day ; but begin to live a life of faith on the Son of God, for the just shall live hy faith ; and I pray you no more proportion faith to feeling, for here has been your error. Joy, peace, love, &c., are the fruits of faith, and must necessarily folloio, not precede. Surely my dear brother will not regard it as optional with himself whether he will live in the enjoyment of this salvation or not. If holiness is a state of soul in which all the powers of the body and mind are wholly given up to God, the duty of living in the possession of it is most obvious. And this consideration will — yes, must settle the matter with you. Now, to him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless be- fore the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and maje^iy, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Yours, in the fellowship of the gospel. / nth. >r here 'C, are nvj not regard live in oliness of the •d, the )vious. le the 3 keep !ss be- g joy, y and I ever. 3el. / FRAGMENTS FROM MY I'ORTFGLIO. 331 " I have uo.greator Joy." A Mother's Solicitude. \ No. LIV.— TO MRS. J . Responsibility of parents in regard to the salvation of their cliildren — A memorable struggle — 1\\q Spirit's intercession — Prayer an- swered— Paren' s should resolve on the salvation of their children — Children under sentence of death— A child born of the Spirit— Youhg converts may be holy — au interesting disciple — Remarks of a minister. My Beloved Sister, — Yours of August 24tli was received yesterday. " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to his abundaift mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." Kext in importance to the hap- piness of knowing that we have been elected unto eternal life through sanctificjition of the Spirit and belief of the truth, is the knowledge that our children are walking in the truth. Tn ly may we unite with the beloved apostle and say, " I have no greater joy." The responsibility of parents, in regard to the salvation of their children, seems to be so nearly allied to what our obligations are in relation to the salvation of our own souls, that the connecting link scarcely stands dissevered in my mind. The pro- mises are to the righteous and their seed. I have had seasons of deep and earnest solicitude in wrest- ling with God for the salvation of my own soul, yet these, I think, but lightly compare with the unutterable travail I have at times endured, since I have been a mother, for the salvation of my chih 332 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. " Death or Victory." Agony of Soul. Help of the Spirit. (Iren. One of these occasions I may never forget through time or eternity. I liad said, " I will not let thee go," resolved rather to die in the contest than to yield the point. For months my soul had been burdened, and Satan had seemingly been permitted to withstand me more successfully on this than any other subject. And strange to tell, on every other point the throne of grace seemed more accessible than on this. I think I may say, that the resolve now was " death or victory." So intense was the agony of my spirit; that my physical nature could not have endured the struggle much longer, and it was not until several days had elapsed that my health re- gained its former tone. Shall I say that I felt that heaven could hardly be a state of bliss for me, if the offspring of my body were doomed to ever- lasting burnings ? With Moses, I seemed almost constrained to say, " If thou wilt not, blot my name out of thy book." Why this remarkable trial of my faith and patience was endured, I perhaps may never know in time ; for, for several hours the sad- dest part of my cup was that I seemed left to struggle alone. It was only a little before deliver- ance came, that I said. If I have the help of the Holy Spirit, let me have some apprehension of it, where- upon I received an indescribable view of hovr the Spu'it itself had been making intercession during all the hours of that memorable day before the lirit. [forget lan on >w was ony of )t liave vas not ilth re- 3lt that me, if ) ever- almost yname rial of 3S may le sad- left to leliver- eHoly where- \^Y the during re the FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 333 Victory. Resolve on your Cliild's Salvation. throne, in behalf of my child. what a con- sciousness was given, that the Holy Spirit hud made my heart its abode, and that the Lord was making me the instrument in the salvation of the child ! From that moment faith seemed almost changed to sight, and so assured was I, that it was the Spirit itself thut maketh intercession, that my own identity seemed for the time in a manner lost, and I could only think of myself as an instru- ment, given up wholly through the power of the Spirit to God. It seems to me, as if no tini^y pious parent need ever be disheartened in view o^ " e ultimate salva- tion of his children, if the resolution, that they shall be saved, be determinately persisted in. This re- solve must, of course, include the purpose that every earthly consideration shall be subservient to this object. I fully believe if I had been less im- portunate, or less persevering on the occasion re- ferred to, that I should not have prevailed with Israel's God ; for, as I have intimated, he did not seem to regard my prayer, but rather to say, " Let me alone." Had Jacob's courage failed one half hour before the blessing came, would he have been called Israel ? But we had better go limping all our days, or die in struggles for the salvation of our children, rather than that they should dwell with everlasting burnings. How pious parents cart en- joy life, and go on as happily as though all were 334 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. i^' Parents at Ease. Children under Sentence of Death. illiH I well, while their children are under the sentence of death, is surprising. Were their children under the sentence of temporal death, from having broken the laws of their country, would we expect to see these parents enjoying life, and as much at ease as though all were well? Such parents would be thought destitute of natural affection. And how can God and angels look upon parents, who are comparatively at ease, while their children are under a sentence, vhich, without an bourns warn- ing, may be executed, and their offspring doomed to a fate more fearful than the death of the body a million times told ! Have such parents faith in God? Do they believe that the sinner is con- demned already ? I do not wonder that you so greatly rejoice that your beloved J has been bom of the Spirit. Our hearts respond with yours in the exclamation, " Glory to God in the highest." May he be "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." Either for the youthful dis- ciple, or for the more mature Christian, this is an impoi-tant admonition. In about the same measure we abound in labor for the salvation of those around us, God dispenses blessings to our souls. "He that watereth, shall be watered also himself." If dear J has fixed his aim on being a decided follower of the Saviour, I ho])e he is expecting a daily cress. It rnay perhaps b*^ a cross from whicl) Ith. mce of (under )roken to see 3ase as Lid be d how ho are en are warn- oomed e body 'aith in is con- ce that Spirit. mation, he be in the 'ul dis- is is an leasure around "He ■" If lecided cting a L which FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 335 Young Converts maybe holy. An Interesting Disciple. the flesh may shrink, to tell his young friends what great things the Lord has done for him; but in doing this, his own soul will be greatly strength- ened, and he will at once begin to be a preacher of righteousness. May my dear friend commence at once to gather stars for the crown of his rejoicing ! I hope, dear J , "will bear in mind that young converts may be holy. I witnessed an encourag- ing exemplification of this on Tuesday. An intelli- gent lady, who experienced religion about four weeks since, was at our afternoon meeting. Her husband and herself were both skeptical, and, at the time of her conversion, grace made a wonder- ful transformation. By the permission of her hus- band, she at once commenced family prayer, and also other religious duties, such as asking a bless- ing at meals, laying aside her gay and costly ap- parel, &c. The pious minister who was instru- mental in her conversion, loved holiness, and took pains to instruct this interesting disciple in the way. lie gave her the " Way of Hohness," and other books also were sent to her ; but one book she had which eclipsed all others : for this, she said, w^is full of holiness. This book was the Bible. She had been telHng me how she felt, while endeavoring to sustain the family altar in the presence of her hus- ])and. I said, in retura, " What you now want to enable you to bear up triumphantly amid these trials, is the blessing of holiness.*' This she v/as dis- It'' If- '''''' Mi III ir 336 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Forty Years in going an eleven days' Journey. posed to acknowledge, but soon said, " Why is it that so many professors seem to know so little about this blessing ? I told an aged minister my feelings in reference to it, and he said, I was yet too young in experience to expect the blessing." I assured her that it was not with the example nor the opinions of men that she had to do, and recalled her acknowledgment that the Bible ^vas full of requisitions to be holy, and for the moment the tempter seemed silenced, when she brought up the experience of an aged brother which had been given in during the meeting ; which experience went to say, that he had been forty-seven years a full believer in the doctrine of holiness, and though he had sincerely and earnestly coveted the attain- ment, he had not yet received the desire of his heart. " Why," she continued, " should others be so long in arriving at this point, if I may gain it so soon ?" " And why were the Israelites forty years in arriving at a point which might have been reached in eleven days ? Was it not because of their un- belief ? More than eleven days have passed since you were brought out of spiritual Egypt, and sure- ly you will not limit the Holy One of Israel, and provoke him to send you back to wander in the wilderness. You have come up to the borders of the promised land. Will you not now step ovei- into ' The land of rest from iubred sin, The land of perfect holiness V * FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 337 Sinful to doubt God's Willingness or Ability now. 1 y is it little er my as yet g-" ample o, and le was oment gilt up d been erience years a though attain- of his rs be so in it so y years -eached leir un- id since id sure- lel, and in the borders ep ove]' With looks expressive of unutterable desire, she said, " I believe the Lord will bring me in." " When do you think he will bring you in ?" " I do not know, but I think it will not be long." " He has assured you of his willingness to save you this moment, and it is sinful to doubt either his ability or his willingness to save you noiv. Do you believe that God would be faithful to his word, if you should now venture body, soul, and spirit, wholly and for ever upon Christ ?" " I believe he would." "Will you begin to trust him, and by a continuous act rely momentarily on your Saviour for salvation from all sin ? The poet says, — * But is it possible that I Should live and sin no more ? Lord, if on thee I dare rely, . Tlie faith sliall bring the power.* Now you would not dare dishonor your Saviour so much as not to believe that he would save you from sin this and wery succeeding moment, if you would trust him." Her faith gathered strength, and she said, " I know he would save, and I will trust him." " Why should you not believe that ]w, is savin// you, if you are now relying upon him for full salvation ? If you are being saved it is because Christ is saving you ; and do you not feel that you are this moment saved, and can you not sa}^ — * Thou from sin dost save me now, And tliou wilt save me evermore V " With emotion she said, " Bless the Lord, I am saved." 23 338 FAITH AND Fid EFFECTS. A Young Convert sanctified. Remarks of a Minister. r^i.,. i' m:^-^ :: w A gracious baptism of the Spirit was given, and in the full assurance of faith she cried out, "0 I am sancti+ied ; glory be to God !" A little band of de- voted ones had lingered with us after the close of the meeting, and we fell upon our knees and as- cribed glory to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is no respecter of persons; what he has done for one, he is willing to do for another. If J 's mother received the witness of holiness, when she was but little over ten years old, so clearly, that she has never since doubted that she was then made the partaker of this precious grace, why may not J , thus early in his Christian life, set out to receive the full impress of the Holy Spirit ? A minister of deep and enlightened piety, in ex- horting the friends at the Tuesday me^ l^ing, said. That from careful observation, he had become set- tled in the conviction, that by far the most success- ful time to urge the attainment of holiness, was when the mind was tender from its first recep- tion of regenerating grace. Now, said he, is the time to give it the mold, before the young affec- tions have learned to be truant, and the mind has become used to parley with the tempter, and to yield to his suggestions. Present my regards to brother J and all the members composing you^ pleasant family circle. Your ever devoted sister. FRAGMENTS FROM MY TORTFOLIO. 339 A Memorable Day. Temptation. Humiliation ,nd in I am of dc- ose of ,nd as- pirit. le has er. If oliness, old, so hat she 3 grace, tian life, r Spirit? % in ex- ig, said, Dine set- success- ess, was it recep- e, is the iiff affec- nind has , and to and all ily circle. 5ter. No. LV.— TO REV. MR. U . Of the act of faith — Humiliating perceptions — Shrinkings from a profession of holiness — Tlie direct path — A ceaseless sacrifice — The key which opens the door— What is the act of faith?— Terms of the covenant— Faith, not works, the ground of acceptanc — The blessedness of purity — Why do some receive the blessing sooner than others who are equally sincere ? — How example may hinder — How the blessing may be obtained — Tears of desire shed, yet a willingness to be holy not attained. Christmas day was rendered memorable by my receivinor more definite and confirmed views of the precise act of faith, which brings present salvation from all sin. Tliese views were preceded by an uncommon humiliation of spirit. During the day a tempta- tion to hastiness was continually pressing upon mo, and as the tempter had an object to act upon, the suggestion was, that I had, more or less, yielded to its influence. On examination, 1 could not bring the conviction that I had offended, and con- sequently did not feel condemnation ; yet I was most deeply humbled, under a sense of my un- worthiness. While confessing my want of higher degrees of holiness, and lamenting this before the Lord, I was led to question how it was, that I had been enabled to hold fast the beginning of my confidence, and continually Avitness that the blood of Jesus cleanseth. I felt that I had not deceived myself, and could h^' 840 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. Not merely a Blessing in Name. A Direct Path. ;:i appeal to the Searcher of hearts that it was not merely a blessing in name that had been gloried in, but an actual realization of his saving and cleansing power. Yes, thought I, in verity I do know, that the blood of Jesus cleanseth — cleanseth now! With feelirigs which even the recollections of that hour reproduce, causing tears of grateful joy, I could say with Paul, " To me, who am less tlian the least of all saints, is this grace given." Yet, for reasons almost undefinable, but which perhaps cannot be more fully expressed than by saying, the appearance (in the eyes of some) of assuming, by professing this blessing, a higher state of expe- rience than many others whose piety I so much venerate, and especially some of Christ's beloved ambassadors, whom in love I highly esteem for their work's sake, I felt a shrinking tenderness of spirit, relative to the testimony I had given before the world on this point. And yet I realized that tJ\e vows of God were upon me, and wo is me if I do not profess this blessing, and urge its attaina- bleness on others. And must I continue to urge its reasonableness, even though it may assume the appearance of taking higher ground in the Chris- tian walk? I felt that I could weep, and even now do weep at the thought. But the plain, direct path, cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in, still pr(iscntcd its track, lit up by the rays of divine truth, as luminously as ever. The way was IS not led in, msing , that now I f that joy, I s than Yet, )erhaps saying, iuming, )f expe- 10 much beloved eem for mess of n before sed that 1 me if I attaina- to urge Lime the le Chris- ,nd even in, direct I to walk 5 rays of Avay was FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 341 Duty ours ; events the Lord's. Irrevocably given up. not to be mistaken. I saw what would be the re- sult of a willful turning, either to the right hand or to the left. It was a blessed thought that I had given my influence into the hands of the Lord, and could unhesitatingly leave it there, and know that duty was mine, and events the Lord's. I also most deeply felt that it was not because I was more worthy than others, that I had been enabled, for years past, to bear testimony to the possibility of living in the enjoyment of the witness that the blood of Jesus cleanseth from all unrighteousness. But I would not assume the ground, that I have not trespassed in thought, word, or deed, since that time, No. But in this, through grace, I will glory, — ^I have not, since the memorable hour that witnessed the entire consecration of all my powers, taken myself from off the altar, but have ceaselessly endeavored to present a living sacrifice of body, soul, and spirit. Since that period, I have not felt as if any of these redeemed powers were for one moment at my disposal. When duty has been presented, however much nature may have shrunk from the requisition, I have been enabled to act upon the principle, that I have given myself irre- vocably to God. Though life might be the for- feiture, I have estimated the favor of my God better than life. Neither have I, since that period, know- ingly transgressed. Yet, I do not take this as th3 precise ground of I ili 842 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. A Key wliich opens the Door. What is the Act of Faith? my confidence ; but this state of soul, in conjunc- tion with an act of faith, which as a key opens the door, and brings the soul into the actual possession of full and complete redemption, is that which I have been enabled to render continually available, and by this I have been permitted to enter into that state of light and liberty which is spoken of 1 John i, '7. .1 But what is this act of faith which brings thje soul into the enjoyment of full salvation ? By the help of the Lord I will state it, as also the way by which I continue its exercise. I saw that God had erected an altar, whereunto I was commanded to come with faith, nothing doubting. And still fur- ther, that he did not require that I should believe, without a thorough foundation for my faith. Per- haps I cannot better explain, than by adverting to what my expectations would be, if a will, which I knew to be in every possible vray legally executed, were placed in my hands, and I authorized, from undoubted authority, in believing myself the right- ful heir of an inheritance. Would I hesitate in availing myself of its provisions, and think it mys- terious that I was to come into possession by merely believing the validity of the document ? And yet the knowledge of the fact, without the act of taking pos^^ession, would leave it just as un- available for riy present necessities, as though there were no such inheritance for me. ■vV junc- Is the tssion lichl [lable, into en of FKAGMENTS FUOM MV l'OKTI'H)Ll(». 343 ri God's Requisition. The Offering accepted and sealed. Thus I saw that God had declared it his will, even my sanctification, and that he had also render- ed that will very explicit by the command, ^'Comc out from among them, and be ye separate, toucli not the unclean thing," conjoined with the declara- tion, " I will receive you." In view of this de- claration of my heavenly Father, had I any reason to doubt that it was his will, even my sanctifica- tion ? What then remained for me, but, through the strength of grace, to *' come out and be sepa- rate ?^^ With this requisition I was enabled to comply. Would it not have been strangely incon- sistent, after having come to this point, not to have believed that God would accept ? And did it re- quire any extraordinary effort of faith to believe that I was indeed one of his covenant people ? It was thus, therefore, in the simplicity of my heart, I was ready to exclaim. Why, it is hardly of faith, but rather of knowledge ; it is so easy. It is all here. I have given myself wholly to God. He has accepted the offering, and sealed me iirevoca- bly his. And would it not be strange, and in effect doing great dishonor to the faithful Jehovah, by an intimation of inconsistency, if, when he had required the entire surrender, and enabled me to comply, I were not to believe he would be true to his own part of the engagement ? ^*- But to get at the more definite answer that pre- sented itself in i-eply to the inquiry, how T, so Ifc 344 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTf. Sincerity and Devotion insufficient witliout Faith. unworthy, was permitted to be clear in the enjoy- ment of this blessing, when there were so many whose piety I held in such high esteem who were not ? The only explanation I could give was this : I have faith in God, and beheve fully in the validity and feasibility of the plan devised by infinite wis- dom, by which the polluted may be cleansed. The plan, in perfect consistency with the nature of its Author, is unalterable. The devotion that might induce its possessor to pass through the flames, or to weep tears of blood, cannot produce an alteration or the least swerving from the prin- ciples laid down. By the right of purchase, God demands, and beseeches, that we present our bodies a living sacrifice. We present the offering, and are cleansed. We continue to present it, and continue to be cleansed. The Lamb slain from the foun- dation of the world, with garments newly dipped in blood, is continually present before the throne ; and it is but to know that we lay all upon the altar, and believe in the infinitely meritorious effi- cacy of his blood, in order to realize, with all the blood-washed company, tliat we " Every moment have The merit of liis deatli." It is then, and only then, that we can fully min- gle in song with the spirits of the just made perfect around the throne. Who does not feel the impo- tency of human language, when the full soul en • /5 FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 345 The Difference. Why is it thus ? jnjoy- jmany were [his: I ilidity re wis • nature n that ^h the roduce e prin- ;e, God r bodies and are ontinue g foun- dipped throne ; Don the )us effi- . all the lly min- perfect e impo- soul en- deavors to bring out in words the transcendent blessedness of conscious purity : when the spirit exultingly joins with the redeemed in the song, '* Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our Bins in his own blood, and hath made us kin£{s and priests unto God and his Father, to him be glory, and dominion, for ever and ever, Amen !" And yet there are those who are appropriating this lan- guage, from a blei.^sed knowledge of its glorious import. But alas ! there are those also, who, by the will of their heavenly Father, have an equal claim in the covenant of grace : those who have expressed joyous confidence in the declaration, " God is no respecter of persons ;" yea, those even whose energy of spirit in the cause of their God would lead them to pass through fire and water, «' Into that wealthy place," who do not feel that they have yet been brought to possess " This Ian • of rest, from inbred sin, The land of perfect lioliness." ! why is it thus ? Would that my heart were as a mirror, to reflect, in living characters, the answer that its deep emotions dictate to the inquiry. May the Spirit of holiness communicate the answer to every sincere, inquiring Christian, while I attempt a reply. There are, as has been said, certain unalterable requisitions laid down by the immutable Jehovah. r I r ' . 346 . FAITH AND US EFFECTb. The Offerings brought. Feeling before Faith. With God there is " no variableness, neither sha- dow of turning." His requirements cannot be varied or set aside, however sincere or devoted the inquirer. These individuals have, doubtless, again and again, brought their all to the altar, but, in so doing, they have not firmly believed that God would be true, and, at the moment they presented, accept the offering at their hands. They well know it to be the sacrifice that he requires : Rom. xii. 1, '* I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable ui^to God, which is your reasonable service.'* And that they could not even have brought the offering without his assist- ance : John XV, 5, " For without me ye can do nothing." But they hesitate to beheve, because they do not feel that he has accepted, before they have dared to venture upon the veracity of lys word. He has required the sacrifice, and has po- sitively affirmed that he will accept : 2 Cor. vi, lY, " Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the un- clean thing, and I will receive you." He has given the ability to bring it to the foot of the cross, and yet they will not believe that he does receive, merely because some state of feeling y which has been pictured to the mind, does not immediately follow. The experience of many might be portrayed by . . ,-_<» , FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 347 Islia- be the Abraham watclies a Consecrated Offering. what would have been the conduct of Abraham, if, after having brought the offering required by God, he had conckided, instead of remaining 1)}^ the altar, driving away the fowls from polluting the sacrifice, he had reasoned thus : " The fire of heaven does not descend as I had anticipated ; and though I well know that God has required that I should lay this sacrifice upon the altar, yet why does he not consume it ? Why is my faith thus tried, and I constrained thus long to waity pre- serving this hallowed offering from the touch of pollution ? And who can determine how long I may be required to linger in this disheartening suspense ? Already the sun begins to retire ; a horror of darkness comes over me : surely there must have been some mistaken views in my per- ceptions of the manner of this requirement," (fcc. Not so with him, who, in all succeeding genera- tions, has been termed the "father of the faithful." No ; his enlightened perceptions of the immutable nature of him who had promised, forbade views so dishonoring to God. We shrink from the suppo- sition of what would have been the inevitable con- sequence, had he practiced, as many Christians do, under this dispensation of light. And yet we hear them speak of their unbelief, with a seeming com- placency, much as though it were an unavoidable evil. that all who are seeking this blessing were / 848 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. The Effect of Example. A Lamb in Perplexity. f«i « rt fully aware of the sinful inconsistency of this un- belief ! If Abraham had been guilty of even this one supposed act of distrustfulness, would he have been placed so prominently before us, as the father of the faithful ? And yet the Christian, with a clear revelation of the w^ill of God continually open before him, is, day after day, practicing upon the same principles of unbelief. The younger Christian looks to the example of those older in profession ; the member, to the class leader ; and the class leader to one whose faith he has been divinely admonished to folloiu ; and each deems himself in a manner excusable from the exam- ple of the others. The mention of this reminds me of the dilemma of a devoted individual not loner since. She was but a lamb of the fold, and young in the experience of the blessing of holiness. Re- turning from a meeting one evening, where her beloved pastor, in the recital of his experience, had said, that he did not enjoy the witness of holiness, she remarked, in distressing perplexity, *' Can it be that I enjoy this blessing when Mr. does not ?" It was a well-circumstanced temptation : and the enemy made it the means of nearly robbing her of her confidence, though grace eventually triumphed. But is it of small account to be destitute ot that faith whereby we may be enabled, momen- tarily, to realize the entire consecration, and purifi- y FRAGMENTS FROM MY PORTFOLIO. 349 You will find it in this Exercise. un- tliis cation, of body, soul, and spirit ? Is it a small thing to keep back any part of that price which so sacredly belongs to God ? And just as truly niay it be kept back by the fearfulness of unbelief, as from an unwillingness to comply with any other require- ment. Upon such as do not esteem it a subject of momentous interest, may the Holy Spirit im- press the force of that solemn truth, "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." But to such as are waiting at the foot of the cross, feeling that the excellency of the knowledge of this grace is better than life, I would say. You will find it in this exercise. Bring the offering of all your redeemed powers ; not only to the altar, but, through Almighty grace, lay the sacrifice wpon the altar. Do not delay, because nature shrinks from making the suiTender noio. Now is God's time : 2 Cor. vi, 2, " Beliold, now is the accepted time ; behold, now is the day of salvation." The acceptance of the gift does not depend upon the worthiness of the offerer, or the greatness of the gift, but upon the sanctity of the altar: Matt, xxiii, 19, "For whether is greater, the gift, or the altar which sanctifieth iho, gift ?" It is by virtue of the altar upon which the ottering is laid that the Cfift is sanctified : Exod. xxix, 37, "And it shall be an aUar most lioly ; wliatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy." Christ is the Christian's altar. Lay body, soul, and spirit, -^S^iMMi^M — '^-^^^^^ 360 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. \ / r .1 I A Living Sacrifice. Covenant that you will believe. upon his merits. Let the sacrifice be a living one. Rom. xii, 1 . Remember, that it is not left optional ^vith yo.urself whether you will believe. " This is the command of God, that ye believe." Believe steadfastly that the blood of Jesus cleanseth. Not that it cauy or that it willy but that it cleanseth now. Covenant with God, that you will believe this, his revealed truth, whether your feelings warrant the belief or not. The just shall live hy faith. Be willing to live by the moment. You cannot breathe to-day for the morrow, neither can you believe now for any future period. Bear in mind that Christ is a Saviour, and the salvation which you receive must be in the present tense, and of course must be received momentarily from above. Ask the Lord to write upon 3'bur heart the deep spiritual meaning of the expression, " a living sacrifice :" the blood of Jesus cleanseth : for though you may live days, months, and years, in the possession of this faith, you will find no other way than that of living by the moment ; and though you were the veriest sinner that ever ex- isted, or were the accumulated guilt of the whole Avorld laid upon your head, such is the all-suffi- ciency of the atonement, that it is but to place yourself upon this altar, that sanctifieth the gift, and you must be cleansed. . Tlie crimson stream, unbounded in its efficacy, is ever flowing. Reject the simple way of fiiith, and the most ^X / levc INot iseth lieve lings ve hy You r FRAGMENTS FItOM MY PORTFOLIO. 351 What one Act may do. Continuous Consecration. violent efforts of body or mind — rivers of tears, or the devotion of a martyr — ^will not bring you to the point. " One act of faith will do more for yon tlmn twenty year^^ hard toiling ivithout it^ You cannot receive the full efficacy of the atonement, apart from this faith ; neither can you recommend it so successfully to others ; and the debt of grati- tude you owe the purchaser demands that you he a witness of his 2^oiver to save unto the uttermost. If you live short of full salvation, you may, per- haps, at the last moment of life, cast yourself upon the infinite merit of the atonement, and be saved ; but 0, what a risk do you run, and what an infinite loser will you be, if you leave the reception of this grace till the hour of death ! It is this implicit tinisting in God, with a reso- lute determination not to proportion faith to feel- ing ; believing, if he permit your ftiith to be tried, by a seeming delay, it is only that you may be accounted worthy of being a more victorious ex- ample of its power ; which will produce a fixedness of purpose, and an established state of experience, beyond expression glorious. Look well to the terms. Holiness and sanctification most expres- sively signify the state intended. You cannot consistently expect it, until you make up your mind to live in the continuous act of unreserved consecration. Consequently, you cannot believe that there is an entire acceptance on the part of 4 352 FAITH AND ITS EFFECTS. *r" / h tr Tears will not induce God to accept a Polluted Sacrifice. God, until you come to this point, even though you were as desirous, and should shed as many tears, by way of imploring tL ^ acceptance of your sacri- fice, as did the ancient Jews, who covered the Lord's altar with tears, until he became weary, and regarded not the oflPering any more. (See Malachi ii, 13.) It is unreasonable not to live in the entire and continuous surrender of soul, body, and spirit, to God. All are already his, by the right of re-, demption. If you withhold aught, you keep back part of the price. It is, therefore, unreasonable not to be holy. then enter at once into the bonds of a covenant never to be broken, to be wholly the Lord's ! Count the cost fully, and then lay the offering upon the altar. While you present it, the blood of Jesus cleanseth. In the strength of Omnipotence venture now, and you will find, what you had thought to be the mystery of faith, simplified. Yours, in the bonds of perfect love. THE END. ICC. you tears, sacri- led the Fy> and yialachi c entire i spirit, . of re-. ep back xsonahle into the n, to be lly, and hile you In the ind you mystery ; love. >^'' I ^t",,.'.' !> 'fim -^v. .„ .iw' '^i?^.'