Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-08-30
ASK AND TE SHALL RECEIVE.

From the "Tcst of Truth" by Miss Graham.
"Itappears, from the common confession
ofChristians and Inlidels, that the world is,
20 say the least, not very we'll furnished
with the knowledge of its Maker. Moth.
ing, therefore, which offers the smallest
hope Of obtaining light upon this momen-
tous subject, ought 10 be passed over with
out inquiry. a book has been handed
down to US, protesting TO be revelation
from God to man, offering him all the
knowledge of which he stands in need.
This book is by some bIindly embraced,
for the very same reason that would have
induced them, under other circumstances
to have adopted the Alcoran, the Shaster
or the Zendevesta. Others profess to re-
ceive it upon rational grounds of convic-
ton. and to hold actual communication
with the Deity who is revealed in its sacred
message. 4 thirdparty rejectthe book alto.
ge,her, and cast it from them with every
mark of contempt. With these last |
would now speak. Do not reject even the
Bible, till YOU have put its truth or false
hood fairly to the test. But you say, ltow
are we to try it; all the evidence we meet
with appears to US insufficient. We refuse
to give credit to the writings of tic Apos-
ties. We never saw the miracles they
relate, they are not, therefore, calculated
for our conviction. Such things are con-
trary to our experience, shock our COM
mon sense, and we write 'imposture' upon
them all. AS for the revelation they pre-
tend to have received from God; that rev.
elation never came to as. We are in no
respect benefited by it. lfGod will have
us to believe as they did he must reveal
himself 10 us as he did to them. We Can
not receive the thing at second-hand.-
When the God Of the Scriptures shall ia
vor US bv revealing himself to us; when
he shall afford us some intallible test where
bv we may prove that his word is true
then we will open our minds to conviction.
But till then, we must refrain our doubts
upon the subject
"Such is the reasoning we repeatedly
hear from her lips of inlidels. | will not
now stop to admire the happy selt-com-
placency, with which You boldly pronounce
thing to be impossible, because it has
never happened within the little span of
your experience; and unreasonable, be-
cause it surpasses the narrow bounds of
YOUR understanding. Neither will | pause
to extol the spirit, with which, as crea-
ture, sou think proper to dictate to your
Creator. Waving all consideration of the
terms in whicn you express yourself, | ad-
nit the general truth Of your proPosi,ion.-
| am persuaded, that you never will be-
lievc the Scriptures, till. God himself'open
YOUR understanding to understand the
Scriptures And | assure you that these
same Scriptures contain an abundant pro-
vision agains: the difficulties you have
raised. They offer you ample means OF
proving by your own personal experience
whether they be true or false. That 1m-
mediate rerelation achich you prefessto de-
sire, is actmly promised to yon upon the
simple condition Of your asking for 1t. Ask
and 1t shaUb be girenyou.' =
"What is the gift here promised. 1t is
no other than the Spirit of wisdom and
revelation, who shall guide You into all
IL j. .1xl