The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-12-18
FoR THE CENTRAL EsssBrrrhIis.

A COUNTRY PASTOR.
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For THE CENTRAL E2FsBYTrRIlS.
What Is Ri gion!
What is Rszsi aid y sapxiOus
!5s5ss1f'ssfsel - .reh
one Sabbath e. ll!ile. neard d
sermon which seemed to bin to give but
little peace. Is it some invisible mark
which God has placed upon all his peo-
pie by which they are his, and nothing
can pluck them out of his hands ? l
know some poor men who seem to live
such holy lives. How much would L
give to be like one of them, to have the
same hopes and the same peace. And L
know some others who are members OF
Christ's Church, too, whose lives seem to
be in nowise different from mine,-ab-
sorbed in this world as | am. On, that
| could feel their comfort, and could
claim their Saviour as my own.
What IS Rehgion?" asked the school
boy. 1t is the caution with which these
old preachers and elders speak and act.
l, too, will probably become like them
when begin to be an old man.
What is Rehgion9" asked the young
man just entering into life. 1t is seri-
Gus matter, indeed, and [ wish God would
smite my wicked heart, just as he did
Paul. l need its influences, but l must
await Gods time. If he convert me,
then happy am | 4; if not, then there is
no hope.
What as Religion ?" asked the mid
die aged man. 1t is very good thing.
would be glad if all my children were
to join the church early in life. l hope
one of my boys will study for the minis
try. The pulpit is a great place to dis
play ones learning and talent.
" What rs ReHgion2' asked an old man
who had spent his dlys in hearing the
Gospel. 1t is the great triumph of good
over evil in the worl and the head over
all things is . mysj IONS God =aess
Essomeflmss reg n / did not depes-
/ some attention tois i was young
man; but it is too nte now; and besides
| have so many things to occupy my
mind My time is drawing near, and ]
often wonder what will become of me in
a future world.
What IS Rehgion?" ask, and ]
address the sinner. Let not such thoughts
as these above dwell on your minds
Let me point you to the very place where
you can find religion itself. Is ltin your
Bible? No. Search every page of the
holy book-and | would not hinder you
from this for moment-but you will not
fndreligion. 1t is certainly in the Bible
say you; if not, then it is in God? No
Is it then in the heart? No. What! is
it in my actions then? No. But is il
in the cross of Christ? No. 1t is in
prayer then? No. Continue your con.
lecture, and I will still answer, no. Re-
lgion is no where else than between God
and you. You are human being with
mind and will God makes proposition tC
you. He says: "Let me implant reli
zion within thee" This is simple OF
your part, and not only complex, but very
mysterious on Gods part. You ought tc
reply: 90 God, I can not even desire
that thou shouldst give me religion.
do not exactly understand thy PROPOSE
ton. 1t is strange to me that | must dc
nothing but permit thee to act. This is a
great difficulty, and l beseech thee tc
open mine eyes that 1 may see. Draw
me to thee, for | will not come of my owl
account. Uphold me, for 1 must fall
and | can not stand in thy presence.
You then who wodTl have religion, a5if
God to give it to you. 1t is between hin
aud you; and he in his omnipotence il
always ready to give tito you. He has i
in his hands stretched out to you, and he
himself is standing near.
All blessings must come to us by ou
asking. We can not renew our owl
hearts; but, thanks be to God, if we ash
him to renew them he will do it. Wha
is prayer? 1t is the open way and thu
only way by which we can come befor
the infinite God. Oh, let US eagerl,
seize it; let us 60 directly to JeSu
Christ, that precious friend, and cloth
ourselves in robes of his righteousness
let us get forgiveness, let us get a desir
to please him. Now we have only on
way of going to God, but he comes to u
in many ways, the greatest of which i
through his holy Scriptures. Itis in hi
word that he talks to us fully about al
that it is good for US to know. Let u
constantly strive to learn more perfect.
what is his will, and to conform NOR
closely thereto. Then, when we ar
asked, what is religion each one ma
answer, 81 know what it is, for feel
within me- G. B.