The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-02-02
SELECTIONS.
Christian letter writing.

timed letter OF CHRISTIAN flend frequently
proved The author of "rhe Listener" and
many other good books, traces her first serious
thoughts to such letter, written by one who
was too timid to trust herself to speak of these
things.
Another who has since been permitted to
bear her grateful testimony to her Saviour, and
write little books in his name, concerning the
faith which she once denied, thankfully ascribes
her conversion TO the same cause. She had
written something which the world called clever;
and it might have been clever, but it was un-
sound aud unscriptural Nevertheless, there
were many found to praise it: and many were
the letters full of commentator, which she was
continually receiving.
One day, kind friend to whom she / ad
been showing some of these, said hesitatingy
81 should like you to see the letter which have
lust received about your little work; but | am
afraid lest it should vex you" TIE curiosity
of the young authoress was reused, and she
never rested until the letter was in her own
possession. twas from clergyman, to whom
her work had been shown. The words which
particularly struck her in it were these
''Your friend may be all that you describe
she may be very amiable and talented; but,
poor girl! I am afraid that she is not Chris,
tiau-that she does not believe in Christ"
The young authoress said little; but she asked
leave to keep the letter, and she has it now
We have seen it many and many a time; and
the paper is faded, and worn, and blotted with
tears. The words which she had read fastened
upon her mind, aud haunted her day and night,
until she was mercifully brought to confess
their truth and faithfuness, and learned at
length to know, and believe, and put her whole
trust IN the merits of her Divine Redeemer
alone That letter was one of the most power
full instruments used by the Holy Spirit to
bring her out of the darkness and error of So
cinianism, to the glorious light of the truth as
II is in Jesus
We should never write a long letter without
little word of Christ. M'Cheyne is said to
have had a holy skill in dropping word for his
Master upon all occasions. He wrote few let
ters in which the name of Jesus was not men,
toned or something of his spirit breathed
forth Writing to a member Of his family, he
SAYS ''The Tay is before me now like a re-
splendent Mirror glistening in the morning
sun. May the same sun shine swcetly on you;
and may He that makes it shine, shine into
your heart, and give you the knowledge of the
glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ"
We know one who never wrote the common
set letter without prayer. eff we think of it."
said she, cit is a very solemn reflection that
these silent witnesses either for good or evil
may remain to influence others long after We
ourselves arc laid in the grave" Her words
have come to pass since then, and her letters
are preserved and read over with tears. There
is scarcely one in which she does not ullude to
heavenly things sit seems so natural, to quote
her own words, "both to write and speak OF
wha, we love-
Wilborforce, addressing sir Thomas POWELL
Buxton, says, 81 do not Ike to conclude my
letter without one serious word" Oh, if we
could all remember to think thus, how much
more useful we might become. Writing to those
we love, in distant places and at distant inter-
walls, it is impossible to calculate what may have
come to pass since we last addressed them, or
how much in need they may stand of our affec-
tiouate counsel; and, above all, of being re-
minded of better things.
1t is interesting to remark how frequently a
letter will arrive at the exact moment when most
required, and as if God had put it into the
writer's heart to send it just then, and what to
say, as doubtless he often does. letter has
ere now arrested us when about to do what we
ought not 10 nave done, OF remluueu us tnat we
were leaving those duties undone which we
. ought to have fulfilled.
We heard once Of Christian letter being put
iuto the hands of young girl, while in the very
act of trimming bail-dress to wear that even
ing at county ball. 81 went all the same, y
said she, ''but it haunted me continually, SC
that could not take pleasure in anything; and
date from that night, ana from the blessed
effects of that letter, the gradual weaving of my
heart from worldly things to Christi"
We once saw little packet carefully sealed
up, and labelled, "Letters received from q
friend, duriog sickness" ''They were more
than medicine to me-" said the possessor; csc
full of comfort, so full of Christ l used to lie
with them under my pillow. would not par
with these letters for their weight in gold
The letters of those we love are indeed of price
less value; especially when the One Name ii
written therein. Some one has called the let
ters of judicous friend, her 'siIeut monitors. }
A religious letter is an unspeakable blessing il
the time of affictiou.-( Isabel; or, Influence
Published by the Religious Tract Society)
No SECT has monopoly of Christians, be