The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-11-20
FoR THE CETNRAL PREsBYrERIAN.
Our First Love.

There is something very different in the
first few months of Christians life from
anything that he ever experiences after
wards. The love of God and man is more
tender, and the new life seems to be
sweeter than it ever is again; though |
am sure that l would not be willing to 90
back and make fresh beginning More
battles are fought then than at any other
time, and they are much 6ercer too.-
But the real comfort of going to the cross
of Christ and the pleasing surprise as it
were at finding so much efficacy there,
kindles up within US JOY that is unspeak-
able. One Of the great elements of this
10Y is the consciousness that so much dan
ger is surrounding US, That evil being
who fights hardest when he is most in fear
Of losing victim may have presented to
US doubt and want of faith in every con-
ceivable form; and our passions may
have risen in wicked rebellion; and, above
all-for this is perhaps the principal bat
tle6eld in the present stage of Christiani-
ty,-the acOrld may have drawn us off by
many of its tender chords; yet, ave have
found refuge in Christ, and neither prin-
cipalities nor powers, nor things present,
nor things to come are able to separate
rs from the love of God" 1t is new
thing to US. to realize that we need not
be troubled about our own weakness and
unworthiness, but rather rejoice at the
great Suficiency and the robe of righte-
business that is given us from God, Jesus
Christ. l have found, and | imagine it
is more or less the case with every Chris
tian, that my feelings of JOY and glad
ness have become less vivid than at first.
Why is this the case? Is it because |
trust in God less? hope not; for l
believe a Christian indeed must make
some advance throughout his whole Chris
tian life. 1t is because | have become
more familiar with the triumphs that
Christ is so continually working out for
me. Satan forsoOth begins to grow
weary in despair, and does not make
such struggles as he did in the beginning.
1t does seem to me, however, that while
have grown more steadfast in the faith,
1 have come far short of making pro-
portionate growth in charity. My very
familiarity with Gods forgiveness and
His redeeming love, together with the
evil influences which always bear upon
me in this life, blunts my gratitude and
love to Him; and thus am sometimes
careless about working for God, and con-
formingsntirely to His will. How prone
we are in the hour of temptation to im-
pose on His goodness, by cOnsoling our
selves that He will freely pardon. Oh!
how it grieves the Holy Spirit when this
is the case. How urgent God is that we
should "work while it is yet day. -
How ungreatful is it in US, poor weak
creatures, that we donot deliver ourselves
and all that We possess as free-will offer
ings for His "inestimable gift" When
in our greatest exertiOns we find that we
have not given God the glory, why should
we not lift up our eyes and thank Him
that our acceptance does not lie within
US? Happy is thelife of that Christian
who never forgets the mercy-seat, and
who is constantly asking "what must |
do to please God best ?"
"Be watchful and strengthen the
things that remain, that are ready to die;
for have not found thy works perfect
before God" Rev. iii; 2. "He that
Overcometh, the same shall be clothed in
white raiment; and will not blot out
his name out of the Book of Life, but
will confess his name before my Father
and before His angels" He that over
come,h shall inherit all things; and
will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Rev. xxi: I.
IT NAV not he in your power to exec