Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-09-03
The Rope of Faith.
A GOLFERS SERMON.

Brethren, am now going to show you how
poor sinner is saved by grace i; and am sure
many Of you have been so saved. Let us take
the case of miserable man in the pangs of
conviction. He is, we will suppose, down at
the bottom of the pit of despair. Now, let US
to get up. Then leaning over the pulpit to the
right hand, the preacher curved and followed
his hand, and applying his mouth to it, spoke
aloud this imaginary coloquy, as if from the
surface down through the pit-shaft, after the
manner of the 'banksman' at the coiery:
Halo! halo! who's down there?
Oh, minister, poor sinner; a miserable
sinner.
How came you there, my poor brother? how
My load Of sins weighed me down, and L fell
deeper and deeper.
oh, wretched man that you are how do you
mean to get up?
I never shall get upl am lost! Lost for
ever! l have been trying ever so long to climb
up by the sides of the shaft, but / cannot; I
fall down again.
You cannot succeed yourself I'll send you
down the rope Of faith. Lay hold of that, and
you will be got out. Cling to it; cling to 1t;
here it is! (imitating the paying out of rope.)
Now, then, it must be down to you. Lay hold
of the only hope set before you Have you
got hold now?'
:, I'm so feeble can hardly grasp it; but L
thank I've good grip now.'
Then pull a hoy, lads! Let us help this poor
sinner up. Oh, how heavy he is. Why what
have you got beside yourself hanging on the
rope?'
Only few good works of my own
Good a0orks! good aoorksl Throw them
down; Down with them, Or they'll break the
rope
Well, if must, I must but surely they
would do me some good.
The preacher continued to represent the lift
ing, but suddenly stopped, as though his arms
had received check, exclaiming to the imag-
mary ascendant:
why, what is the matter aoac? What are
you struggling with?'
Doubts and fears, sir. I'm afraid I cannot
hold on
Lay frmer hold of the rope Doubts and
fears are nothing to strong faith But what
now? Trembling again. What is it now?'
"A great fight OF Affections, master; and
Hold on, sinner; hold on you'll come out
OF the Affections But what is this? Shaking
again? What can be the matter now?'
Strong temptation, master. Oh, / shall
fall am falling Oh, help mel Oh, help
me!
SO we will But ah, what dreadful thing
has happened. now? The weight IS three times
as great. w hat horrible noise. What have
you go there?
It's the devil himself has gripped me. He
is gripping me hard. Oh, minister, I'm lost
I'm lost /
Hereupon, the excitement in the congregation
became intense. Women wept, men rose up,
and the minister, seizing his opportunity, con-
tinued
Now, lads, let us all pray and pull together.
Ihls poor sinner IS In great danger. But Satan
cannot long buffet him. The great Captain is
with us, and He is too strong for demon and
devil
Straining at, aud lifting the imaginary load,
the preacher greatly excited himself as we'll as
his hearers Finally he appeared to succeed
in bringing the imperilled and hard -gripped
feet, he uttered the words: Lads, he's safe !
he is saved There he is The rope of faith
never broke yet, and 1 knew it wouldn't break
now. w.-Gutlrie.