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The Christian sun. II « orner Newbern in. and P«nnn St THURSDAY, JULY 7, - - - 1890. kev. J. PmssLir Barreti, D. D., • - Editor FIE X. 3D NOTES. Do you wish to sell Dr. Maple's I wok—'Uur Children in Heaven V Send to tins office tor terms. - * * Dr. Jones of Norfolk seems to be moving on in bis work nicely. Tbe membership is already nearly 100. mjm Tbe Christian Church owes a sup port to the Christian Sun—subscribe and help her do her duty by the pa per. • * Rev. J. L. Foster is expecting to hold .a series of meetings in the Raleigh Christian Church at an early day. * * The editor of the Sun was at John son’s Grove church last Sabbath and had a pleasant service. That church is doing well. • * * ■ Your subscription if due should be paid in at once. Can you stir up a dollar and send it in? Try—we need it now. I We have a lew copies of Facing the Truth—those who wish "" a copy can not order loo soon as when this edition is out we do not know that any more will be printed. The Eastern Virginia Conference will send six ministerial sludeias to Elon College lor the opening o? the first session. How many will North Carolina send ? Brethren wake up and bestir yourselves. • • « August is the time for taking a public collection in the churches ot the Eastern V irginia Conference for the Contingent fund. Let every church take the collection as the con ference must have money to meet the expenses of its annual meetings. Bro. J. H. Ilawlen's speech before the North Ilarofina Sunday School Convent ioii at Bethlenem was highly spoken oft by many who heard it —it was on ‘war on the Bible—shall it be read in the public schools?' Conference will soon be here—are you ready ? How about the collec tions ? The Conference will need more money this tall in doing its work than it has ever had in any one year. Bestir yourselves now, as speedily as you can, and see to it that your church does its part. IT * ' * Rev. Dr Hershey in this issue tells a terrible tale of woe which is befall* ing our young men. Let his timely warning save you, if you are in dan ger from such affliction as he pictures. We believe his statements and there fore we feel alarmed—there is great danger ahead. : . - 1 ■: In this issue under a‘terrible record’ and in our Washington Letter you will find some startling statements con cerning one of the most gigantic evils now disgracing the United States. Let every true lover of this republic do his full duty in pulling down this throne of evil. The United States government is tackling the cause, let us help. Prof. Holleman, who has charge qj the primary Department m Elon Col lege, is also in the field canvassing, lie—was at the Sunday School Con vention at Bethlehem last week and from there started on an extensive lour through the county, with ‘old Bob,’ the horse which has done so much traveling for Elon f’ollege. We wish him abundant success Dr. Herndon has been some what indisposed for a few days and his wife’s health is very feeble. Let us ask for our Father's blessings upon them both. Mrs. H. is the Doctor's right hand support and we need him . in the field to push the work ol rais ing funds for Elon College. May both soon be well and strong is the wish of a host of friends. *.* Bro. A. P. Fuquay, formerly ol Wake county, N. C. but now of Ty-Tv, ©eorgia has an article in this issue which is full of interest. He makes Ills points pretty well and we think our Bro. W. will have his hands full. The Sun shall lie open for an answer provided the answer shall lie in a dignified Christian spirit. V The Editor of the Sun is at the un ion meeting of the Central Virginia and the Virginia Valley Conferences which meet at Timber-Ridge, $n Hampshire county, WestVa., today for the purpose of a final union of the two bodies. •'The results of the meet ing can not be known in time for this issue, but we hope to have it in time for next week’s paper. The is body North Carolina Convention. The Annbal meeting of < assembled at Bethlehem church in Alamance county, N. C., July 30 and continued in session till August 1. Bethlehem is about seven miles from Elon College. Rev. Jas.- L. Foster, paslpr of the Raleigh Christian cb urch was elected President and Rev. W G. Clements of Morrisvifie, N. 0” Vice President, from the minisiry, and Bro. J. H. Harden ol Big Falls, from the laity, Bro. Jas. M. Turner of Big Falls is standing Secretary and Bro. 8. B. Petty of Chattel Hill, is Treasur er. The Convention was organ ized and proceeded to work, though the attendance of delegates was not large, on account oi the heavy rains for two days immediately preceding the day ot meeting. The annual address was delivered by Hon. Jno. M. Moring of Pittsboro, and its praise was upon the lips of the brethren generally—sorry we got in too lute to hear it. but it will be published in the Sun soon. The work of the body moved on smoothly and the speeches were very good in the main. Several breezy discussions came on, Dui ail m a goon spirit. Rev P. H. Fleming offered tbe Convention the manuscript ofj-a catechism which he had prepared lor the use of primary classes, thinking it meets tbe needs ot the little ones bet ter than the International lessons. The manuscript was referred . to a committee consisting ol Revs. J. W. Holt, W. G. Clements and Bro. Jno. M. Moring, who reported that they did not have tbe time to examine it fully and it was given to another commit tee consisting of Revs. J. W. Holt, J. U. Wewman, Ph.D., and Bro. J. H. Harden, to whom ample time was given for a full examination. The question ot a catechism was frequently mentioned in the Conven tion, some favoring it and some opposing it. It is no doubt an open question and discussion will do good, even if no catechism be adopted, and that there is some opposition to the idea was quite apparrent in the discus sions. A petition to the Congress of the United 8lates was offered by Rev. W. G. Clements asking for the discontin uance of Sunday mails. The petition was adopted and the Secretary was instructed to forward a copy of the same to the Senators from North Carolina and to the representative from the fourth district. The next session of the Convention will meet with tbe church at Catawba Springs, W ake county, N. C., on Tues day after the 3rd Sunday in J uly, 1891. Rev. J. L. Foster was chosen to deliver the annual address with Rev. P. H. Fleming alternate. Ca tawba Springs church is centrally lo cated and we hope we may have a large attendance of delegates. A large congregation attended the services from day to day. Rev. J. W. Holt and his people entertained the Convention well. Our home was with Bro. WJi, Hall of Maywood and we were royally entertained. Bethlehem is a large church and has before it a great field of usefulness. Of all the professors ot Elon College only Prof. Holleman was at the Con ventiou. Dr. Long was so busy feu perinlending tlie buildings that he could not leave, Prof. Alkiuson was in Virginia looking up students, Prof. MofiBtf was in Moore, Montgomery or some where else, while Dr. Newman was making his way through Caswell into Virginia, all looking lor students. Prof. Holleman only stopped in pass ing, for Be Was off on a canvassing tour, looking for students also. While we all would like to have Bad these brethren present, we heard no word of complaint at their absence »•» till seem to realize the importance of the work they are doing to our cause. Well, but-will the college lie ready September 2 ? We asked Dr. Long that question and he answered cm. phatically ‘‘it will be ready, if we can have good weather.” He knows bet ter than we,-and we take it for granted that the building will be ready—not that every part can he fully finished' but so near it as not tp interfere with college work. Jf is certainly gratify ing to make such a report to our peo ple, and ft is even more gratifying J.u hear of the large number of students who are making ready to enter Sept. 2. We hope for one hundred to en ter the first day. and while that may be wide of the facts, we believe a larger number will enter the first day than ever before in our history. We are no prophet'—-nor yet the son of a prophet,—but we will venture to predict that the establishment of Elon College will raise the standard of edu cation in the Christian church one hundred per cent,in the next ten years so that when we enter the twentieth century, the cause we love will stand far a one word head of any thing known in all its previous history,for which,gn der the blessings of (rod, we shall owe thanks to Elon Allege and IW noble men who have luiletit and saorffloed to m&ke it the grandest single^pterprise the church ever undertdok. &sy' our Father grant that it may be even s . l>r. Hendern, the indomitable can vassing agent lor the college was at the Convention and made a speech lor the college work, bnt was caHed home by tne sickness of his wife. He will, when she is better, go back to Bethlehem and complete the work begun. We spent a wtiile at the college and viewed tho situation. We know of no such building in the state as this, and the grounds when properly laid off will be magnificent. J.P. B. Dr. W. 8. Long has recently spent a ftew days in the Beep River Confer ence in the interest ot the College, assisting Prof. Moffltt in working up students lor Elon College. He no doubt had a pleasant time and added to the number ot students which will enter September 2. The Doctor says he will have everything ready, if he has good weather aud the blessings ol God. We have just received a copy of a handsome little volume of 96 pages, bound in cloth from the pen of Rev, Dr. James Maple of Milford, N. J. on ‘Our Children in Heaven/ Dr. M. has spent considerable labor in this work, and those who know him, know that it is rich in the comforts which our religion furnishes to those who weep at the grave of the loved little ones, it will soon be on sale at the Sun office and then we will announce the price. , Helping Elon College. Dear Sir::—Please tell us some of the ways in which we can help the college,—Miss-. Briefly let me suggest, 1. By speak ing of it often and hopefully among your triends you may awaken an in creasing interest. 2. By working for it now. (1) con tribute money, and influence others to do so. (2) . Get all the young people you can to attend next session and to be present at the beginning of the session (3) . Solicit funds to present the Presidents office with an office chair, or an office desk, or to carpet his office, or to carpet the Reception Parlor, or some articles ornamental or useful, lor this parlor. (4) . Present the college with a por trait of some prominent man or wo man. These nicely framed, would add much to the attractiveness of the recitation rooms and chapel. In each room might be hung the portraits of persons who have distinguisned them selves in the branches taught in that room. Lite size, lithographed portraits, 24 x 30 inches, of Holmes, Lowel, Bryant, Whittier, Longfellow, Haw thorne, and Emerson may be obtained, for $1.00 each, from Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston, Mas8. They also fur nish portraits about half this size, ot more than 100 English, French and American writers. G. P. Putnam & Co., of New York, turuish portraits, . principally of public men, at 50 cents each, or $5.00 per dozen. You can get a list of these portraits by sending for catalogues. (5) . By sending to the college library a book or magazine. Some booK,useless to you, placed in the college library may be read by many a young person with interest and profit. Many keep old copies of magazines till they ac cumulate a large number. These old magazines would be valuable books of reference for a college library. J. II. N. We like these suggestions and hope many of the Sun’s readers will act on them. Look over them ant} decide in how. many of these ways you can help Elou College, and then go right to work to see how soou and well you can do the work you undertake.—Ed. Sun. Closing. School. .. . As the hot weather sets in; the Mis sion Schools are generally the first to close out. So* this year also wtijle much of the month of June was exceed ingly hot, much more so than usual, you could learn of one atier another school closing lor the summers vaca tion. Among them were the Methodist male and female School at Aoyama, Canadian Methodist male and female at Azubu; Meiji Yakko or the School of the Uul^n Church. Tile commencement exercises of the I ast uained school—I had the pleasure of being present the last afternoon for two hours; and listened to the speeches of three young gentleman. Two were In English and one in Japa nese. Subjects being as follows. Re ligion and Science in English, tie roes m Japanese. Physical Utility and Altruism in English. The young men did very well. Atier 1 left they were to give prizes as award eertifi eaies to six young men. Many of the Japs seem to learn as well as almost auy; though I learn many cannot bear the heavy strain ol student’s life; and therefore have to give under. One thing I am certain of, education is what so many here are earnestly seeking, that some of them may be said to be almost crazy about it. D. F. Jones. Renew your subscription. TiePrtacher alj aPgptor.' ; ! | 1 _I I I £n«§ GhAT—The »ortef>f aj|tosp§) minister is the most responsible is well as the highest calling that men aud wo men are capable ol' filling. The engi neer at the lever of bis engine; Abe pilot guiding hia vessel; the sentinel upon picket; the general on the field of battle, the teacher in the school room; the statesman in the legislative hall and the pliy«iaian in the sick chamber, all fill responsible positions in life; but are not to be compared with that of a pastor. The pastor must control and feed and guide the souls of mankind. A work of such comprehensive magnitude, requires the outlay ot the entire being,. aud yet no vocation is more‘Sadly neglected. A pastor should not think of entering the pulpit with out a preparation of mind and heart for the work before him. To enter the pulpit without a well defined idea ot the subject is not only slothfblness; but positivly inimical to the teaching of God’s wbrd. ‘1 will give you pas tors according to mine own heart which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. With the average intelligence of to-day it is no small thing to fill the requirement of the above language. Jesus said ‘who then is a faithful and wise steward whom his Lord hath made ruler over his house hold to give them their portion in due season?' According to this the pastor is a servant of God appointed over the church to feed and nourish the membersh'p. A pastor occupies tue same relation i to the clnu'ch that a shephard does to his flock. ‘I wilt set up shepherds over them which shall feed them and they shall fear no more, nor be dis couraged neither they be lacking.' The Shepherd must not only protect the flock from danger but acquaint himself with their needs and provide for their wants. Appropriate and i wholesome food is essential to the life and welfare of the flock. They cannot subsist upon rocks and trees nor on arid fields, and neither can the flock of Christ. Like sheep they must have fresh and green pasturage. The pastor must be a great commissary of religious and spiritual provender, and the word of God is the fruitful field from which he must gather food. Notwithstanding Timothy had known the Scripture from his youth, Paul entreated him to search the Scriptures and study to show himself approved unto God. But there must be a willingness upon the Dart of the hearer to receive the truth in order to be nourished thereby. The responsibility rsf~the pastor is in providing the food aDd distributing it in due season aDd in proper proportions. This done and the results must rest with the hearer. If he refuse to hear and receive the truth the responsibility of starvation and moral suicide rests upon him. T*o preach the Word requires no little skill. The minister must be able to meet the demands of all class es to feed both the sheep and the lambs. The special work of a pastor is not so much the conversion of siD ners as the edification and growth of believers. Think of a tender lamb exposed to the perils of the forest, to beasts of pray with no kind shepherd near to succor and protect and then think of the exposures of the inexperi enced in life and the work of protect ing it from evil and you may learn something of a pastor’s experience. The pastor must be a guide-to the church. As the shepherd goes before pointing out the way for his flock, so the minister should lead the church to higher attainments. While he exhibits the law in all its fulness as a rule of life and the example of Christ as the only perfect pattern of holy living, he is to call upon them to follow him as he follows Ohrist. Paul commanded Timothy to be an exam pie to believers in all things. We are imitative creatures ana much more disposed to tallow ex ample than to obey precept. Man kind can be more easily led than drove by the threat or command. A pastor whose practice is inconsist ent with his teaching's condemned by bis own mouth. He destroys out of the pulpit the fair tabric he builds in it. The preachers teaching must be embodied in his example. It musl appear as a living and impressive re ality. And thus he becomes a living epistle known and read of all men. Pastoral sympathy is another duty implied in the ministerial office. The pastor will be culled to enter ihe hut ol poverty; to stand by the bed of the dying; to bear the last prayer, the last farewell, to behold Rachel weeping tor her children and refusing to be comforted because they are not. He will be called to slop the moanings ol despair, to guide inquiring doubt, to turn the tearful eye of penitence to the light of promise and to lead the burdened soul to the Cross of Clmsl.l'u view of all ibis you may see the great need ot pastoral sympathy. It must not be cold, formal words that fall upon the mourners heart like snow flakes upon the crushed blossom of autumn. His life must be so deeply interested in humanity that he will be m affec tionate sympathy witli suffering wliere ever found. It was the symputli v of Jesus that led ibe unfortunate to liis feet. Another duty of a pastor is to govern his flock. Not to legislate, but to simply declare and apply tiie laws that Christ and the Apostles have given A keeper-of-shoop—can not act faithfully toward the flock entrusted to his care unless he subjects them to.such restraints and eorrec tions as are really for their good. In like manner the pastor cannot be faithful toward chilroB unless be watches over them and if need he administer, the discipline of u-uth. There is dot a single law of Christ in which his goodness does not appear equally resplendent with his authori <y executed will sbme forth in His law wisely cause ibe church to beamy and strength. . ' U is. impuflaut that the church should display the excellence and loveliness of her distinctive char actei—that Bhe should be the salt of the earth, the light of the world. These few particular* will serve to give an idea of the extent ari# impor tance of a pastors otflois I duties. His pastoral work cannot be neglect ed without peril to himself and the etiurcb. He must feed, guide and govern the church. Notuing, but the constraining love of Christ can strengthen him for that work. Love alone should lead him to self deuial and labor among his people. Love is the most efficient commanding principle by whicn the human heart cau be influenced. What labors; what trials; what conflicts; it will encounter and suffer lor the sake of tne object loved r . " Analyze the secret AWtffe disciples zeal, euergy and selVtlefmal; Read the simple narrative ol as given by Himself, ‘Oflbe Jeas'fiVe times re ceived 1 forty stripes save one, Thrice was I beaten with rods,once I waHSton ed,thrice I suffered shipwrecK, a night aud a day have I been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren/ Such were the scenes ol danger, trials and suffering through which that heroic man was uauvu »uu welcomed such tribulations, tfe said ‘the suffering of this present life weie not to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed in u»,’ The secret ot all this was the love of Christ con straining him. And such must be the love animating every pastor who will leed, guide and govern the flock ot Christ. W ithout that love there is no inducement to enter the pastoral office. The burdens and trials of the preacher would become intolerable with out this love. No profession in voives so much responsibility, care, labor, anxiety and weariness both of body and mind as the ministerial when properly understood. And yet no profession is so poorly conpensated and unless sustained by the constrain ing love of Christ the pastor would often sink discouraged beneath the burden and pressure of Ills cares. To the inexperienced and casual observer the usual rotine of a ministers life and duty may not seem oppressive. But to serve the church from week to week for years walking before the people even as Christ walked, supply the congregation with their portion ot of meat in due season,giving the babes milk and the strong meat and further exercise a salutary disciplihe, is a task and responsibility not easily performed. Such is a part of the pastor’s work. What other single agency confers such liberal benefactions upon man kind? What effects so essentially all the interest ot society? An eminent writer once said. ‘The Pulpit must stand acknowledged while the world shall stand, the most im portant and effectual guard and sup port and ornament of virtuous cause.' When the pastor shall be properly appreciated he will be recognize'I as a leader in the best interests and hopes ot our race. He will not be looked upon as a kind ot unnecessary pauper to be‘supported' but ajbenefactor whose worth can not be compenmtcd. W. H. ORR. Are we Spreading? The answer will depend on what is the thought you have in your mind ah >ut spreading If you mean, are we taking in all the time more and more new points in addition to the old ones and continuing to keep up all; we answer decidely; recently we are not, We are crippled on account of men and means doing what our hearts would desire. If you mean are we endeavoring to put the work in Japan on such a footing; that it muet, if properly tol lowed up, under ordinary circumstan ces, increase and accomplish some good work for the Master. Then 1 answer, yes. Already much has been and is still being done this way. The work in the Theological Class is an important part of this work; and white the mem bers are tew, nevertheless a founda tion is being laid; and some good /work aecdrophsticd 3TT.V. £5 .. Again by the Sabbath School much is being done; little show thus far can be made, but a steady persevering work is being done among, at least, a few. Besides all the above, sound solid gospel talks are continually being given; winch we cannot believe are in vain. Sowing first, reaping after. 1). F. Jones. I Brotherly Love. Nender, the historian, says of the Priiniuve Christians, ‘The names, brother and sister, which they gave to each other, were not names without meaning, hut the expression of Chris tian feeling. ‘They regarded them selves, not as distantly connected, hut as related by the dearest and strongest lies. Their brotherly love was a token to the world t at they were the fol lowers of the pure and holy Son ol God. Even their enemies were forced to exclaim, ‘See how they love one another, and how ready they are to lay down their lives for each other. Let the disciples of Jesus of every name and, in every locality now evince the same spirit, and the world would see new beauty in Christianity, and feell a new power. D. E. Millard. American steel rails are being un ported into Mexico at less cos), iluni European rails. Cm * Man Fall From Grace 1 It has been thirty day*, since 1 had the pleasure of meeting a gentleman of rare accomplishments from 8outb Virginia, while on ears between Bruns wiok and Albany, Ga, and who claim ed in our argument that there is no such thing as apostasy. The cars were flying fast. The gigantic drivers were fast counting the stations by, when suddenly your, writer, who had been listening in al most breathless silence, for courtesy, if nothing more, to his studied attach, was forced to take leave of him for bis own home. As the brother, W. by name, had done all the talking, hardly giving himself time to breathe, nor me even time to think, on these grounds he claimed to have sustained his argument; but was kind enough to tell me, while parting, that he was a reader of the “Christian Son, * but not a member of same faith, aud 1 could Busiaiu my side of argument in these columns, if I had any ground or references to give him on the subject. 1 am willing for every man to contend for the truth as he believes it taught in the word of God. Apostasy is the subject which we propose to discuss, and we claim that a man having been regenerated, can fall away from tne right and be eternal ly lost. We shall not claim in the following the propriety nor the certainty but simply and exclusively the possibility of Apostasy. As lie staled mat •■cooiiuvunij **»o against any cause, 1 will further say that when this question is to be dis cussed fully then ihe brother is ready to cry out; “Away, away with discus sions that lead to controversy I But tny conviction cannot afford to bow before such, those who are afraid that the peace of Zion will be disturbed7 by couverse facts given from the Bible. Bro. W. claimed lrom these quotations:—(1) “The righteous shall never be moved/’—“The righteous is an everlasting foundation,” &c. He relies on these, after a soul is renewed in Christ, as ending his free moral agency, and touch on the undisputed proof of unconditional final persever ance. But they are far from it. The righteous, while they remain so have many precious promises, and yet 1 have never seen in all the word of liod even the least intimation why the righteous may not turn away, thereby forfeiting such promises. Let us see. in the history ot all men in past ages, no man can be found in whom, more ot God’s blending love, could be shown than in David, the idol of the israelitisb nation. He was a firm believer in God and true to the faith. “He was a man alter God's own heart.” Now in the midst of all these excellent trails, his life became black ened by some very gross crimes. Read all ol the xi chapter of 2nd Sam. God by the prophet Nathan said:“Thou art the man_Thou hast killed Uriah_with the sword ot the cbil dren of Ammon.” Now in the one place God, the All Infinite, claimed David as a man alter his own heart, and in the other he said that David was a murderer; and God says: “No murderer hath eternal lite in him/’ Now; where is the “little spark of grace” that some claim is never extinct. Let us turn from one dark picture to another one, from the father to his son, Solomon. The morning of his life was adorned with ail that was pure, bright and holy. He possessed every charm that the graces of nature could bestow. God truly loved him and he held deep communion with God. His prayers to God were pleas ing, and God gave him riches and wisdom and power and glory. His piety in early life cannot be disputed. Let us trace this great man from his devotion in early life to the idolatry of his old age. First, to say, he surely must have gone from the will ol Gocl in the affinity with Pharaoh’s daughter. She was doubt less an idolater and I believe she was the first means of drawing off his soul from the true God. He became an idolater. He worshipped Ashtoreth, Milcom, Chemosb and Moiecii, the abomination of the children of Ammon. He did more. He built a temple to each of them and to the gods of bis strange wives, and they burned in cense and sacrificed unto their strange gods. (1 Kings xi-5-8.) He reigned forty years; and we are intormed that the greater portion of his reign was spent m idolatry. But this history has a more- diBrosi'Mose ' s£ttt~tor'ln the same place in which we are in formed of his apostasy, we are lB^ formed of his death, without the slights cst intimation that lie ever repented and returned to God. Solomon did forsake God and his righteousness. Now, Bro. VV. we will ask you to read 1 Obron. xxviii. 9lh vcibo aud tell me if you could agree to exchange place with Solomon ? Again he quotes. “And 1 will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but 1 will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall noi depart from SeT' I have tlyis to say, God’s covenant with Israel is called an everlasting covenant, Oecause made by Him who is from everlasting to everlasting. The term everlasting is used ;n reference to God s pure anti never ending love, aud not to imply that the recipient shall he savud in fallibly Israel broke God's covenant: They kept not the covenant of God, aud refused to walk in His law ” Aud al so referring to Isaiah, xxiv. 5.‘ ‘ The earth is also deliled under the inhabi tants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, and broken the everlasting covenant. Now let us turn our eyes irom the children' ot Israel to Saul. He wat their lirsi monarch, and whose case it a to lossul demonstration ol the pos sibility of apostasy, it is written: “God gave him another heart &c.’ (1 Sam. x. 9.) “The spirit ol God came upon him &c.’» (I Sam. x. 10.) “He was turned into another man &c/' If each as this does not make him another man unto God, I should like to be informed whnt qualities would describe a man of God 7 Now, when the Philistines were coming up against Saul, he sought of God what he must do, hat He would not .ljaten milie prayers of Saul—He had turned his back upon Saul, the first king of Israel. Saul became troubled and fled to the witch of Kndor. He he sought her in a strange interview, when Samuel appeared to him and said to Saul: “Why hast thou disquiet ed me, to bring me up 7 And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me. and God is departed trom me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets nor by dreams:... .Then Samuel said: “Wherefore then dost thou ask for me, Hieing the Lord is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy ?7 I Sam. xxvit. 15-16. Is not this a dear case of Apostasy 7 for at one time God was with him, and at another, God is departed from him. It is not our part to sit in judgment of the final destiny of any man; hut it is plain that the sun of this once lortunate king is now wading through dark clouds ol adversity and misery ^nd even death. * So Saul died of his trausgression which he committed against the Lord.’' Even against the word of Hie Lord which he had not kept, and also for asking counsel of ope that Imn a familiar spirit to in quire ol it/’ ( Oliron. x. 13.) You see the above propecy of Samuel is in this fulfilled. Now who cad afford to die the death ot Saul ? Let us return to the founda tiou of the world, where Adam came forth pure and holy from the plastic hand of God. Adam was created a free moral agent. He was given the power to stand alone, but he was free to all. Now the question will surely arise: Did not God know that Adam would sin ? if so, was it not a neces sity for him to sin ? But the omnisci ence of God can not be limited any more than His omnipotence. From the Deginning, God saw the end, and 1 verily believe tbat he knew that Adam would sin. You conclude then that his sinning was cot a volun tary one; that if God knew it would be so, it could not have been otherwise. But God’s knowledge does not in fluence action, and bis knowledge docs not associate with his willing. 1 as sert that this house is standing. Now, does the house stand because I know it ? or do I know it because the house stands ? Assuredly I know it because tiie house stands, and my knowledge of this fact does not influence it to stand* No more did God’s knowledge infllu ence Adam's action. He Vio’aied God's law with the power to have kept it. But he fell and therefore demonstrates the proof to the point for which we contend. It is a truth that none will deny, that a wicked man can turn from his wicked ways and accept the righteous ness of our Saviour. Now, if a sinful man can turn from bis sins, by the help of Christ, why then cannot a righteous roan by the help of Satan turn from his righteousness ? But, my Bro. W. will say ail these proofs occurred under the old law that you are no longer under the “old law,1' but under grace divine in Christ. Very well. Go with me into the New Testa ment in my next letter and we will search for more evidence on this point, abundant and convincing. A. P. Fuquay. Ty Ty, Georgia. God Kindly Veils our Eyes. BY JEAN E. LANCASHIRE. It Was the new year. 1 opened my eyes to the bright morning light with the thought, ‘Another year full of experiences; some sorrows, many joys, has rolled its round, what has the new year in store? I wish l knew.’ Then came these words, ‘1 Know not what awaits me, God kindly veils our eyes.’ All day it kept repeating itself in my mind. Yes,- ‘kiudjjr.’ Could we see all “the sorrows, and trials, mayhap hard ships that may come to each and all would our courage prove sufficient?_ To-day we can rejoice and -~he-gUd~— because wc know not- what to-morrow, .brings. Often our lives are made most unhappy by anticipating trou bles. It is said, ‘Our borrhwed trou bles are otteu our worst troubles.’ The statement is not far from true. ‘Be ye not troubled whiit ye shall eat or drink, nor wherewithal ye shall be clothed. Your heavenly Father knoweth ye hove need of all these things.’ Ilow many times it has hap pened that when the ertnse has run out, and, and the bgrrel is empty, and blank despair stares us in the face in the most unlooked for way, replenish ing comes. Let us get the good things of to-day. ‘One step I see before me, 'Tis all 1 need to see.’ To-morrow will be the next step, and whether of jov or sorrow, we. will have courage to take it. ‘Oh, blissful lack of wisdom 'Tis blessed not to know.' And, ‘I’d rather walk in the dark with God, Than go alone in the light.’ — Christian at Work Debate on the Blair educational hill in the United States Senate closed last Wednesday and the vote on the third reading and engrossment result ed yeas 31, nays 37, thus defeating the bill, t
The Christian Sun (Elon College, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Aug. 7, 1890, edition 1
2
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