Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-01-12

IL our feet apparently uncontrolled, We should
nine away lor tile lack Of that spiritual food
which cometh down from heaven. Where
ever Gods word is not faithfully preached.
and faithfully heard, there is barbariSm and
religious decline. Nothing can be suhstitu-
ted for il. tbe words Of Golly men. the BIZ
BE itself, The fellowship of christian brethren,
and even cur prayers themselves, would Ian
guisb on our tongues, unless VIC could unite
stately and frequently in our common sup
plicniions unto God Of Grace. and beard
bis message from the lips Of bis ambassadors,
who speak to us in Christ's stead.
4th The next means of grace to urge us
forward in the christian cause. you may think
rather a singular one but verify believe it
to be one Of the most important. 1t is to be
stow literally and freely ofyour worldly means
to enighten Others, through the numerous
and valuable books, tracts and papers with
which the religious press now teens.
Ignorance and grace cannot 60 band in
hand tits the fool who says there sno God,
God requires ofus the surrender Of the heart.
but the understanding must be enlightened
How many are ignorant Of the Bible because
they have no good books to enforce and ex
plain its high truths.
Now for whose benefit, think you is this 80
be done, tell you for yonr oacn, do what you
will, neglect what you please, God can work
out lis purposes. but he calls upon us to bless
ourselves By self denial, by making sacrifices
Of cur own luxuric- It may be comforts for
the salvation of others, we do not give enough
Tor these purposes, put il to your conscien-
ces, Il YOU were 30 bestow upon this cause the
purchase and dissemination OF Bibles, Tracts
aud valuable religious papers, the money that
you waste may not say, throw array upon
useless ornaments. or to crafty personal
tastes. or to crafty your appetites and which
you might save, whether grtat results, to-
wards great end the conversion of world
might not, nay. would not assaredly follow
can only say. In reference to myself
make me your almoper in this behalf alone |
pledge myself 10 this sacred place that win
personally attend to tho judicious expendi
tnros and certain distribution in good Books
to those who heed them, all that you will en-
trust iuto my hands. This is orc Of the
modes ofexercising the blessed gift Of charity.
without which, all our gifts are but as sound.
ing brass, the browning trait in the Christian
character, the brightest gem IN the Christian
crown.
o. But we have more to do, we must not
only endeavor to be good ourselves but We
must do good to others.
We have no righl to connc our duties to
our own growth in grace We have families,
we have nelghbors, We are members of COM
munity. our relation to others bring with them
relative, high, and responsible duties.
!. The tatheris the priest of his household.
the mother the priestess The father does
give to bis child the serpent of sinful training
instead OF the true pabulum of his soul, be
is bound to teach him the truth to bring up
the household in the nurture and admonition
of the Lord.
The master is responsible fer lis servants,
they have souls to be saved, be has an i'm
mense authority over them for which be is
responsible. The government of the family
is the corner stone Of society. 1T, before it,
above all government, it will outliye all hui
maa governments. The nations OF the earth
are all blessed in the Father of the faithful,
why because saith God II know him, that
he will command his children and bis house
bold after him, aud they shall keep the way
of the Lord . Do We pray at the family al
tar do we command our household to refrain
from the universal license to sin, which so
much prevails IN our land Do we aspire to
receive those blessings which the unerrng
God bath promised to the faithful performance
of our duties in our families. If not see to it
Bretncren, We may think we are going
forward but five neglect this quiet, private
unobtrusive bat sacred duty We are drift
ing backwards BY a most powerful under cur
rent Of sinful neglect which may land US on
the wrong shore.
,. Do we do good to our neighbors, true
good, do we stand up for the faiths our
light set out and not hidden. Ye are the
Ugh. Of the world, ifye be my disciples, ye
cannoe be hid. Let your hight SO shine be-
fore men that they seeing your good work.
wrought in the ghvstly shenth given to you)
may also glorify the same God. our Father IL
Heaven.
How can you do this example is better
than precept, be christian in life and con
yersation, and your position will uether be
nor unremarked, speak the
preach Christ in your life and shew him to
others. pray for those whom you would wish
to see travelling the same path that you have
chosen, and whatsoever your hands tindeth to
do. in sincere aims giving, in the spread of
Gods truth, by the dissemination of good
Books and Tracts, by self denial. aud cheer
ful endurance Of wrong, and in bearing fear
less testimony to Gods blessed truth, that
do, with al! your might"
These are duties, which have purposely
pressed upon you my fellow. Christians, have
enlarged so much upon them that have hut
a short time to devote to the second class that
| spoke oil in tire beginning. M
Those who out Of Christ.
Have they no duties to perform. Have
they no obligation on them to go forward =
Are they not bound, as christians are, to
the same inevitable toni will death spare
them? Did not Christ die Tor them too
Oh, yo who are ont of Christ, ichy are sc |
SO? Does he reject you 2 nay You are the
very person whom he came to save 81 came
m call MT tha riohtanue hut e;nunre IN .ra