Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-10-22
[For the Spectato.
Words in Season for the Penitent

Rest thee Sinner, rest.
For the Spectator.
Words in Season for the Penitent
One of the sweetest pleasures we enjoy this
side of heaven is to speak words of encourage
ment and hope to those over whom angels in
their songs rejoice, and say, behold they are
praying. At no time is the tempter more zeal
Gus and adroit than when the soul stands as it
were where the two ways meet one steep, mar
row and rugged that leads upward where there
are pleasures evermore; the other broad, plea
sing and downward, but which ends where
flames amid mournful darkness play, and sor-
rows never end To assist some discouraged
one to choose rather to suffer aff1cton with the
people of God than enjoy the pleasures of sin
for a. season, the following has been compiled
from choice work, named Quiet thoughts
for quiet hours" These questions and answers
are prepared for you that are In heaviness of
spirit, because Of manifold temptations, and
feel afraid to venture all on Jesus just as you
are. --t 20 .-'it .-'
How shall come to Christ, for am sim
full creature?
Jesus said, | am the way; no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me.-John IA: g.
But how can | feel sure that Jesus will re-
ceve me?
''Hm that cometh unto me, will in no wise
cast out.-John 6: 81.
Il have nothing that can bring to him?
Il will give to him that is athirst the water
of life freely.-Revelations 81: 6.
But should not first endeavor to purify
my soul from sin? l.lk4
''Who can bring a clean thing out of an un-
clean not one.-Job IA 4. Without me, ye
can do nothing John Is: 5.
How then shall | come?
BY new and living way, which He hath
consecrated for us, through the vail, that is to
say, His fesh.-Hebrews 10: 90 -uF
rs God sure to receive me, and can He love
me?
II will receive you, and will be Father unto
you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters,
saith the Lord Almighty Cor 6: 49,
''What should be the object of my life?
''Ye are bought with price; therefore glo-
rify God in your body and in your spirit, which
are God 81 Cor. 6 20.
"Can my unlmportant actions in any way
glorify the everlasting God?
Herein is my Father glorifed that ye bear
much fruit.-John 15 s.
What do you mean by fruit?
''The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace,
long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance.-Gal. 5: %.
''Does God then take notice of my daily con-
duct?
II know the things that come into your mind,
every one of them.-Ezekiel IL 5. He that
planteth the ear, shall He not hear? He that
formed the eye, shall he not see? He that
teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know p
Psalms "a: 9, 10.
II am very ignorant, who shall instruct me?
Search the Scriptures. 5 &c. The
holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee
wise unto salvation through faith which is in
Christ Jesus. Ill. Tim. 3: Is.
But have so many evil habits to combat,
what shall do?
''Gird up the loins of your mind.-I. Peter
l: 13. Fight the good fight of faith,-l Tim.
6: II For he hath said, / will never leave
thee, nor forsake thee.-Heb. IS: 5.
But there are trials and temptations in my
way which others have not?
There hath no temptation taken you but
such as is common to man but God is faithful
who will not suffer you to De tempted above
that ye are able but will with the temptation
also make a way to escape that ye may be able
to bear it. Cor. 10: 13.
Il wish had some friend who could under
stand all the trials of my spirit?
''We have not High Priest which cannot
be touched with the feeling of our infrmites
but was in like points tempted like as we are,
yet without sin.-Heb. 4: Is.
1T is my desire to walk uprightly, but | feel
that have no strength? 1s-.
He giveth power to the faint and to them
Isaiah 40: 80.
May | go and ask Him then?
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of
God, that giyeth to all men literally and up
braideth not and it shall be given him. james
l: 5.
''How will God give me wisdom?
Il will put my Spirit within you, and cause
you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep
my judgments and do them.-Ezekiel Sc 81.
''When trouble comes, what shall | do?
"Call upon me in the day of trouble l will
deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.-Psa
so: l5 ,f.e
''Need 1 not fear the hour of death?
''When thou passest through the waters, l
will be with thee 40: 2.
Nor the day of Judgment?
"Who shall lay any thing to the charge of
Gods elect? 1t is God that justifeth. Who
is He that condemneth? 1t is Christ that
died. Romans 8: 33, "a.
'.Oh | will cast in my lot with Gods people,
for they only are happy?
eve are journeying unto the place of which
the Lord said, will give it you, come thou
with us, and we will do thee good.-Numbers
10: 20. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and
be gracious unto thee the Lord lift up His
countenance upon thee and give thee peace
Numbers 6 !: "a, 26.
.'Jesus. the name that calms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
Let us obey we then shall know,
Shall feel our sins forgiven; M
Anticipate our heaven below,
And own that love in Heaven"
Having taken His cross as our portion and
leaving all to follow the blessed Redeemer, may
such new song make glad the days of our pill
grimage over the way traced by His footsteps,
His tears, and blood. w. I. L.
M not