Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-08-20


as almost exclusively the objects Of hoppe
And it is true that larger part OF tho calls,
eneouragements, and promises of the gospel
are to those in the morning Of life and that
most OF those who ever come to Christ, seek
and find him in their earlier days. ri
But we are not TO forget that divine grace
has power for every age, and to reach the heart
OF every class OF transgressors. Paul was not |
converted till he had grown up TO manhood,
and been prosecutor of the church. JOHN |
Newton was not brought to Christ, till he had |
long been proiligate. The dying thief did |
not believe till he was hanging as a nalafaetor
on tho cross and one Of Flayel's hearers, not |
till he had crossed the Atlantic, and become
hundred years old, and had lived on eighty |
five years after hearing the sermon which, now
coming up airesh to his mind, was the means
Of his conviction and conversion. That none
are too old to be converted, is the encouraging
truth impressed by the case Of him whom |
have called at The aged convert.''
He had passed the age Of threescore years
and teni he was gentleman, the child ofpiQus
parents, possessed Of large wealth, Intelligent,
strictly moral, benevolent, and knd-heartad
man of much force, and yet of great SIM
plicity and sngleness OF character; having
many of the traits of the Young man in the
gospel, of whom it is written, that i" Jesus be-
holding him, loved him." and yet, like that
young man, he had not given up all for
| Christ.
For many years he had been u regular at
| tendant in the sanctuary, listening nttentiyely
and respectfully TO the preaching of the word,
but so lar as knew without any special IN
terest in the truth when one day, suitable de-
caslcn Offering, spoke 10 him on tho subject
of personal religion. He received it most
kindly, replying that the subject had long been
one of thought and interest to him and added
(what an encouragement to ministers who may
not see any immediate fruit of their labors,)
For years You have scarcely preached a SER
mon that has not been like the blow of the
hammer TO the nail, driving that Interest deep
er and deeper" On being asked his views
of divine truth, he said with much emotion,
and with the simplicity of child, 6 do not
know much of what suppose yo-rsS FsniN Gail
theology Z but feel that am sinner-a
poor, miserable, guilty sinner lost, and need
ing salvation, and that Christ is both able and
willing to save me, il trust in him, which,
hope do" When questioned as to the evil
dence Of his trust in Christ, he replied. siOnce
did not, but know | can truly say do love
the word of God. Once l prayed only in form
but now enjoy prayer. Once | thought but
little, and cared but little how | was living !.
now 1t is my earnest desire every day to live
as the word Of God directs, so as TO please
and honor him, to do good, to grow In grace,
and make sure of SALVATION" When asked il
he had any doubts or fears as to his interest
in Christ, he said, " Yes at times have, and
yet they pass away when think of the willing
ness Of Christ to receive all that rome to him.
His own words are, i'm that cometh to me
. will in no wise cast OUT
He soon made public profession of religion
uniting with the visible church; and his life
from day TO day gave evidence that he was in
deed disciple OF Christ. He had been before
liberal, kind.hearted, benevolent but in these
duties he now seemed 10 he quiclscned, and in
| their exercise to be more decidedly actuatetl
| Christian Hn nd niw bna radr
nlar in his attendance at the house of God ;
but new found in It's services "A fresh interest,
and so 50 received the word" that I'll could
see he was "growing thereby" he had al.
ways been more or less reader OF the Bible (;
hut now he truly made ii the man of his coun.
, sci and the guide of his life, rejoicing in its
: promises, obeying its precepts, cherslling its
spirit, and resting all his hopes on the foundl-
ton 1t reveals. His private copy of the Bible
, was marked at passage after passage, and
verse after verse, that had arrested his atten-
/ ton and impressed his thoughts and within
4 Its pages was found solemn form of prayer
\ and personal dedication of himself to God
j which he had written out az expressive Of hi,
4 feeling and purpose.
i But few years passed after his conversion
Il when he was arrested by the sickness thai
. proved to be his last. When was summoned
II TO his bedside, as he cordially grasped m!
~ hand he said, &c feel that this is my last sick
- but it Is all right, it is all well.' The nquir,
. was made, DO yon find that yOnr hopes res
y firmly on Christ Can you commit yoursel
IL and all your interests TO him /" 'S Yes yes,
n was the reply, " know that my Redcemer liy
% eth, amt leave myself entirely in his hands,
a. The interview, like others Of II similar chornc
ter, was closed with prayer And A N'I.7
m short days lie had gone TO his rest, eay&ig TIL
+ most satisfying evidence that he had endeay
M ored in death, rs in life, to he good ant
~ faithful stewart of his divine master.
IN The narrative impresses sel sral important
,r lessons. 1t shows that we are not to limit the
!. power Of divine grace, but are encouraged to
:, labor and pray TO the last, for the conversion
y of the impenittnt. 1t suggests that we should
! not be weary in well-doing, or despair of a
i blessing on oar efforts to do good, but heed
! the divine injunction, g In the morning sow
, thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy
hand for thou knowest not whether shall
prosper, either this or that, or whether both
+ shall he alike good" 1t urges parents to be
faithful in tho carly religious instruction of
their children, reminding them that their coun-
/ sells may never be forgotten, but may bring
forth fruit in old age to salvation. ii cncour-
ages hope even for the aged and yet it sol
EMMY admonishes against delay till the future
for we know not what n day may bring forth
Few comparatively live too old age and Of
. those that do, where one il found tender ant
: pentent, many become the more hardened, ant
: perish.-Messsngcr.
:,
u IN N nj A NJ f.pE MOI TEAsT Ia