The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-07-04
From the Christian Guardian and Church OF Eng
land Magazine.

From the Christian Guardian and Church Of Eng.
land Magazine.
THE CHRISTIANS SUPPORT.
How could the Christian pass through
this vale of tears, and cope with the nu-
mcrous, and severe trials and sorrows
which he must of necessity meet with
here below, were he not sustained by the
comforting and encouraging promises
which God has condescended to transmit
to us in his wordl These are his only sure
support, and cheer his weary and oppres-
sed soul, when beset with harassing cares
and trials. When the believer sees afttlc-
tons approaching and threatening to over
whelm him, what does he do! Does he,
relying on himself, 60 forth to encounter
them-no, he knows that his own strength
is perfect weakness, and therefore aban-
doning all idea of his own ability to save
himself, and rejecting on the unboundcd
love and compassion Of that Almighty
Saviour, who said "Call upon me In the
day of trouble, 1 will deliver thee" ne
fees to him with eagerness, saying, "Lordi,
save me or perishF' Then in the strength
of that Almighty Redeemer, and having
on the breastplate of righteousness, and
taking with him the shield of faith, the
helmet of salvation, and the sword OF the
Spirit, he is enabled to overcome. But,
why, it may be said, should the Christian
be represented as being so surrounded
with trials, and afflictionsl the reason is
evident, the life and conduct of the true
Christian, being opposed to the conduct
of the generality of mankind, must ne
cessarily render him at variance with the
world. God and mammon can never
both be served. But the world is not the
Christians only adversary, there are three
grand enemies with whom he must engage
in a constant and vigilant warfare, name
ly, the world, the flesh and the devil
We are all born iii sin, and our natural
inclination is to sin; there is an inbred dis
position, a natural and corrupt propensity,
which is ever attempting the Christian to
that which is, in some degree at least op-
posed to the holy and regenerate course
of his life. The apostle Paul explains
this feeling, against which even ne HIM
self had to strive, when he says, "'Ihe
law is spiritual, but l am carnal, sold un-
der sin: for that which do, 1 allow not;
for whatI would that do ! not; but what
/ hate that do l." Satan also, that mali
cious and subtle spirit, whose aim has
been to pervert mankind from their right
course, to ALLEVIATE them from God, and
from all good, and finally to bring them to
the same place of torment, from whence
he himself can never escape, is the Chris
tians foe, his most powerful and most In
seterate adversary, who will never cease
to tempt and perplex him till death trans
ports him far out of his reach, to realms
of perfect bliss. With these foes, the
Christian has continually to contend, and
by them he must unavoidably be over.
come, unless he seeks for strength and
support from the only right source, Jesus
Christ. But if in humility he flee to Jesus
for support. in difficulties and dangers,
he shall find Him present help in every
time Of need, no one ever has or ever
shall perish at the foot of the cross; and
the faithful follower of Christ, having at
length accomplished his warfare, may
without hesitation or reluctance boldly en-
ter the valley of the shadow Of death,
assured that it will soon lead him to that
blessed place where the wicked cease
from troubling, and the weary are at rest:
where he shall without veil contemplate
with never ceasing satisfaction, his glor'-
ous and adorable Redeemer.