Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-10-01
BEDFORD. PA. FRIDAY. OCTOBER /, 1858

tal;ies, disconnected with God, the only source
of spiritual life and blessing, can accomplish
nothing which will receive his sanction, and
conduce to the spiritual advantage of men,
Be it so. We shall not con,roycrt their be-
lief But why say that Young Mems Chris
tian Association is entirely disconnected with
the church What is the church Take a
definition which, presume, the several bottles
Of evangelical christians here represented well
cordially adopt. BY the visible church, we
understand, sthc collective body of christians,
or all those over the face Of the earth who pro-
f3ss to believe in Christ, aud acknowledge him
70 be the Saviour of mankind. +" Now, who
compose Christian Association Its active
members are not men OF the world-men des-
'itute of piesy and g>diness. They are, at
least by profession, christians, and we have
reason to believe that the most of them are men
of faith, aatuated by pure principles, aua pla-
cling before them as the great centre towards
which all the lines of their influence and exer-
tons converge, the glory of God n The saliva
tion of men. Hence, althougha Young Mems
Christian dissertation cannot strictly be said to
be part Of the church, lis members are, and
of them we affirm that in their associated cspa-
city they are engaged iE the work of the
church. they are buillng up, not tearing
down the ehureh-they are exerting an infu-
ence for good and rot for evil-they do not
arrogatc to themselves the power to reform and
save, but woulI be regarded as the instruments
IN the hands Of God, whose prerogativc it is to
new-create, to sanctify, and to save our fallen
race. Why, then, should they not have the
warm christian sympathy, and The cordial CO.
operation of all men who love thc Lord Jesus
Christ, and desire to see our young men, who
are the bore of the church, brought to the
Shepherd and Bishop of Souls
Ii God approves aud works by the nstru-
mentality OF Bible, Tract. or Missionary
Society, or Sabbath School Union, whose ac-
tive members are in connection with different
branches of Christ's Church, we have, in the
opinion of tue speaker, reason 10 believe that
God smiles upon an association Of Christian
men which seeks 10 promote evaagtiicai re
ftgion among the young. In their main
features they agree. They sustain the same
relation TO the church. Their ams--their OBJ
jects are the same Tue Bible Society scatters
broadcast tie sacred scriptures, the tract So
ciety religious tracts and books And why
That men may learn the way of life, and walk
therein. The christian association seeks out
our young men, surrounds them with religious
Influences, leads them to the house of God, and
invokes upon them the blessisg of the great
Head of the church The missionary society
sends out its ministers To preach the gospel to the
hea hen and direct dying men to an almighty sa-
vior The christian association works at home.
Having found tue Messias Of whom Moses in
the law and the Prophets did write, il sends
out It's Andrews aud Philips to invite uncon-
verted men to come and see Jesus. They do
not direct them 20 their Association merely
making that u substitute for the son of God,
but to the Lord Christ out Of whom there is
no salvation. Working in different channel
it yet agrees with the other Associations just
mentioned, in that it seeks the glory of God
aud the good of men. Why, then, raise
single objection to au institution such as this
Why say, with Sanbsllat, that we rebel against
the king Why By misrepresentation or in
difference weaken our hands, and impede our
work Would 1t not be more in accordance
with christian principles and christian pro-
fcssion to lend us your aid, give US your
prayers, and bid us Cod speed in an under
taking which seeks to accomplish holy ends
through holy instrumentalIties In reference
to this association | would say, as did an cmi-
nent minister still living of one similar in its
organization and aims: 81 can feel no Jealousy
of ali institution which it has pleased God to
clothe with so benefcient mission, and to
crown with so rich blessing. Within its
legitimate sphere, and under proper supervision
Il see nothing to deprecate, bu. much to COM
mend, in the principle of union,' upon which
this institution rests. The repelaut AMI ex-
elusive tendencies even of the evangelical
churches have been so strong, that it is cheer
ing to ind platform where they can work
heartily together without compromising their
distinctive forms or tencnts.'' / also cordially
adopt the sentiment Of the late venerable Dr..
Alexander, in which the same principle is in-
volged 81 am in favor of circulating and ex-
tending the truths of Gods word By every
practicable means, and when this can be done
more effectually by united, than by individual
effort, / am 10 favor of anion. Christians be-
come accustomed to contemplate the miserable
condition of mankind, until it is viewed as a
necessary evil, and they are content to sit still
as though the case was desperate. Because one
man or one congregation can accomplish but
little, the effort which might be mado is ne
elected, and the good which might bo done is
lett undone.P
But here, perhaps, have dwelt too long al
ready. We have been eudeayoriug to show
that Gods people have work to do, and that
the christian association of Bedford has before
it sphere of usefulness which it may, and
should occupy.
Ii. shall speak, in the second place, of
the spirit with which we should enter upon,
and prosecute the work Of the Lord ave
will arise and bulld''
l. Determination Of Purpose is one element
of success.
If we expect 10 accomplish any important
work we must enter upon it with the firm de-
termination to put forth all tho energies at our
command, 10 disregard the opposition OF enc
mics, and the Indifference of friends, and to
meet manfully every difficulty thrown IN our
way. No half-formed purpose will be follow