The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-02-13
ARE YOU A COMMUNICATE 4"

Such was the question addressed to
one who had for six years prolessed to be
a follower Of Him who said, "Let your
light so shine before man, that they may
see your good works, and glorfv your
Father which is in heaven" For months
had she been mingling with the worldly
and the gay; and in the excitement of
her daily life, she had forgotten that tl.
vows Of God were upon her, that she had
Neon bought with price," even ,Lc
blood Of Gods dear Son. SheLad indeed
gone with the multitude to the house of
prayer, but how had she isteael to the
truths there proelailuedl Shs gone
on with the world as if she were indeed
oi it, as i: Ills were the end Of her be
ing. ~
One Ssbhat Ia morning upon being ask.
ed by one OF her gay companions to sc-
company him to hear some distinguished
preacher, she declined, sa ling, that i. wa.
rommunior Sabbath in her church, and
she must be there. "Are you comm un-
lcantl' was the short bu, cutting reply.
Few and simple were tue words, and per-
haps forgotten as soon as spoken bv him
who uttered them, but they found there
"ay to the young wanderers heart. Go
where she would, engage in what scenes
OF folly she might this startling question
would ring through her soul; and as she
answered, "les, am COMMUNICATE"
chat other nishtier question would force
itself upon her, "Am Christian 2"
For SIX years she hss called herself the
friend of Jesus, and now she must 60 back
through all those years. She must recall
the hour, when in the agony Of, an awak-
ened and convicted spirit, she cried to
God for mercy, and he heard her cry, and
whispered, "Go in peace thy sins which
are many, arc forgiven thee" Then tho
trembling hope, the holy Fear, the new
tides Of joy which filed her heart, AZ bow
ing in peniten.ial prayer she gave herself
away to Him then the day on which
she confessed Christ before the world, the
resolves she formed that she would live
only for the glory Of God, and the good
OF her fo!low.ereatnres ; the happy months
which followed of sweet communion will,
her Saviour. the zeal with which she en-
gagged in His servics-all, all came back
to her. She recalled with bitterness the
first time that she deserted the place Of
prayer for some scenes OF gaysty and f,
ly, and, a. those years of wandering in
which She had indeed been member o:
the visible ch urch, but alas, hal given
| title evidence that she loved Him whose
death she commsmorated. Oh, what \
record had gone up against her-wI,a,
scores OF wasted opportunities and de-
spised priviieges-what Esproaes, had she
brought upon the nsme and cause re
ligion.
AGAIN she bowed Ia a9ony of spirit ns
she had years before, and asked forgive
ness Of Him whom she had so deeply
wronged. Again did those accents. Of
mercy fal on her ear, go in peace; thy
Sn', which are many, are forgiven thee
and from that audience she went forlI,
strong iu His strength. lie only, the
great Searchcr of hearts, witnessed the
anguish Of his penctsnt child. He oulv
Knew the peace and joy which sbo s@pe
renced but the world saw tie fruits of
all this in her humble and consistent lie,
Ter untir;ng efforts TO do what in hcrlsy
for the glory of her beloved Master. Now
there is no need to ask, "Are you a com.
municant ?" for her daily walk shows that,
hel "life is hid with Christ in Go'i.n
- SE.-
An EnolishInan IA. nrsi ;nonle n,,y