New-York daily tribune., 1849-02-22


T.r-ris - the ,eioy o'eeone,h lie word, s'ea our
isih.-I Juhn, -
The life and service Of the Christian has been
reoresented as a warfare. We live in spiritual
view. as it were in a field Of battle, where dan
gers and foes press upon Us, and where thousands
are falling around US. Our enemies are many and
various, subtle and mighty. Says Paul, in the
sixth chapter OF the Ephesisns,
we wrestle no, alone against flesh and blood, bat
against prncpslltes and powers against the Of
darkness Of this world against Spiritual wckedness
In high places
The world also is foe TO our spiritual IN
terests. All that is in 1.-THE lust Of the eye, the
last OF the flesh, the pride Of lifetend to prevent
the attainment Of, 10 hinder growth n religion.
Combined with this, the depravity Of our deceit
fol hearts gives strength to temptation, furnishes
aid to the arts and efforts Of our spiritual foes
When we ard ourselves as thus exposed and
tried, weak and deienceless when we mark the
number and character Of our spiritual foes, and
their efforts, It is inquiry that bears much solc
itude-how can we avail against them, what
means may be employed, and with what success
against them II is not from our own might or
our own power but the means are prescribed, the
remedy is furnished and we are directed TO the
exercise Of a true and unerring I aith in the word
the grace the promise Of God This living faith
which combines harmonious exercises Of the mind
the heart, the Judgment the affections, the con-
science and the will is everywhere commanded
and enforced in Gods word.
By faith we live we walk we labor, we wres
tie, we stand, we triumph. BY faith We quench
the fiery darts Of the wicked. BY faith we en-.
dure, seeing him who is invisible and this is the
victory that oyercometh the world.
The words OF our text place before US our
theme, and we are led to consider-First What
there is in the world that Christians required
70 overcome and Secondly, How it is that they
are enabled to gain victory over the world
Firsf, then, What is there in the world which
requires the Christian to oppose and orercomel
The term World is used in somewhat different
senses, sometimes meaning the principles, the
feelings and interests Of this world, and some
times the men Of the world. And to the objects
and interests presented by the world, We have the
Injunction to q" love not the world, neither the
things OF the world, for If we love the world, the
love of the Father is not in US. We are unro-
newed in spirit. We are partskors OF that spirit
winch DtlNktts tue IldNt fi uIHHh4uhs hAu " iillh
is opposition 70 God while those who born
again are inspired by that love which is the fulfill
ing of Gods commandments. These two oond-
tions Of the soul stand distinct from and antago-
nistc to each other.
Now, we are placed in world ever ready to
defy our attempts to live godly life. While we
ourselves are daily conversant with It's cares and
occupied in its pursuits, we must occasionally
aud frequently meet it'll men of the world, who
love not God and despise his truth. So, then, are
we continually in the midst of dangers, and it re
quires sedulous care aud eagle-eyed watchiulness
aud devout application Of Gods own truth TO our
spirits for our Outw ard guidance and preservation
in order that we be unspotted from the world.
The temptations which the world ministers may
be here viewed as OF two kinds:
Firsf-The allurements OF the world
Sec0nd-lts terrOrs and woes
First then, there are alurements of the world
There is gentle, insinuatng, attractive influence
which is unobservedy silently and continuously
drawing out our hearts desires and affections
And these influences for evil have frequently more
potencv and more strongly affect the soul, than
the sorrows, and Affections of life. Many who
have endured tribuation, and withstood persecU
ton have fallen victims to the snares OF the evil
one, who had been gently lowering around their
path Surely in vain is the net spread IN the
sight of any blrd.'
The world plies its multiplied temptations. They
come home TO the heart OF man. Sometimes the
world presents the enticing path OF sensual de
light. Sometimes II opens the ghttering honors
that ambition cOvets. Sometimes 1t permits t.
tolul and to ardent effort to obtain the sordid gain
Of this world. But there is the evil associated
with this success, and thousands, multItudes, the
majority have Welded TO the enticement, and have
followed on, and have cherished lusts which have
drow ed them in perdition. How often has strong
conviction and tender emotion been snbdued 10y
this enticement,-by the siren voice OF the world
Demas has forsaken me, says Paul, having
loved this present world !; and "they that wili be
rich fall into snare and temptation ana into
divers lusis, which draw men INTO perditlon for
"the love of money is the root of all evil, which
some having coveted after have erred from the
truth and pierced themselves through with many
sorrows" Saws our Saviour, comparing the seed
that fell among thorns, they are they that have
heard the word and have gone forth and are chohed
with cares and riches, and pleasures OF this HE
and bring no fruit TO perfection" Take heed 10
this evil which has so constant and insduous dis
position to spring up in the heart Watch over II
with the most sedulous care.
But there are the terrors and there are the woes
of this world. By the terors OF this world tempt
inc us and which We are required 10 overcome,
we mean the hostility OF the world 10 practical
and experimental godliness IL is sui as true as
ever that the spirit of the world Is nimcal 20 and
averse from the word OF God. " If they have re
oeived my say ngs, they will receive yours also
If they have persecuted me, they will persecute
YOU also" and If they hate you because have
chosen you this is only what you are to expect.
The world is still the same. Ii may have changed
greatly in its outward aspects. Christian institu'
tons are respected in the increase of light and the
advancement of popular rights aud privileges. and
the arm OF Power is no more invested with the
sword of Oppression, but the world remains the
same. There is the enmity Of the spirit expressed
By the breathing temper aud the open lips, and the
attempt to reconcile the world with the service o.
Christ is vain one. The word, received with all
meekness, Will inspire us with all gentleness and
courtesy and enable US TO discharge al duties that
devolve upon us, and understand the times and
modes and circumstances IN which cur testimony
IS to be borne, bat we must never lack the test
mony OF rigid adherence to and practice Of the
truth, and OF all that character.zes the spiritual
life.
Now il is in reference to this as 1t Is IN the ordi
nary coarse of the Christian experience, that i Is
more difficult TO guard against this kind OF ftemPia-
tion than against open persecution. IL requires
more grace to discharge the ordinary duties OF life
TO meet the trying occurrences OF every day, than
to meet some single extraordinary event. The