Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-01-31

hold from the poor, or from any good work
where the prosperity CT necessI'ies ol The
Church required it. and should be found ex.
pending the Lords wealth, to CRAFTY his
own lust, foIl:cs, pleasures, ambition, friends
or family what would be said of the "com-
mon honesty" of such man. And the
onlv difference in tho case Of the deacon at
Jerusalem and tho rich man in our Churches
is this, that tic Church appointed the one
as S .cward and the Lord himself has ap-
pointed the o:hcr by proridentialy furish-
ing him and saying occupy till comc,'
Luke 10: 13.
With regard to ,chat a man should give
to homo: God with his substance, this de.
pends upon such a variety of circumstan-
ccs that no rules more definite need be al.
tempted than arc in the Scriptures.
One remark however may not he out of
place. 4 christian is one who has pro-
fesscdto give himself. his soul. his heart, his
BODY AID all that he has, "sacrfce" to
God. Now IN ancient times the worshiper
would bring his gift for sacrifice and lay it
upon the altar: if God accepted the sacrifice,
fire descended from heaven and consumed
the gift row it may not be an Improbable
exercise to examine the possessions laid upon
the alter and see how much Of this sacrifice
has been accepted by being "consumcd." "
! When the love of God causes the '.hcart to
barn." within the man gives of his sub.
stance not in word or in wish, but in deed
and in truth. Every pcrsen knows ho~ this
matter sands. 1t does no. depend upon
the amount, that is no: material, for in this
respect the Apostle expressly teaches that a
man is 'acccpted according TO that which
he hath and not according to that which he
hath not, 2 Cor. g: II. Our Saviour said
the widows mite wasmorc than the gifts oi
'hc rich men, doubtless having reference
to her ability.
Unqucs;ionaby man has aduty to his
own family especially TO those that are poor,
for saith the Apostle, if a ''man provide not
for his own household he hath denied the
faith, and is worse than an infdel," Tim.
8. A Christian man should provide for
those of his house, not only the things ne.
cessary for the body, but also for THE SOUL.
In the matter Of common education in those
things that pertain TO this life, there is incom-
parably more anxiety and attention, and
more time and expense incurred than in
those things that pertain to unseen but c:er-
nal realities. Christian parents should
recommend by their example not only the
word of God and prayer, but also all the or
dinanccs Of Gods own appointment should
be rcligioasly observed and vcncra.cd, and
especially the Institution of the ministry.
This is one of the greatest blessings the
Lord has bestowed upon his Church, and
his Withholding of this d;sponsation Of the
bread Of life is one Of his severe judgments.
"Bchold the days come, said the Lord God,
that will send famine in the land, not a
famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but
of hearing the cords of the Lord" Amos
8: IL.
And what q contempt docs that commu-
ni'y manifest for this "gift" from above,
Eph. 4: II. who will compel a faithful
preacher Of the Gospel Of reconciliation
whom the Providence of God hath sent
among them, to leave the word Of God and
"serve tablcs," Acts 6: 2. lie who hath
the care Of souls should be relieved from all
other care, as much as possible, by those
among whom he labors. And what shall
be said Of the regard Of tina people called
Church of Christ, who have the means
among them, and will not appropriate for
the minister what is needful for the body
l Cor. 9: lila. A minister has light
Divine to be disburdencd by his people
from the distractions and anxictics connect
ed with that Gentle cry, "what shall cat
and what shall | drink; and wherewitllal
shall ! be clothed p