The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-03-18

him to his knees in prayer. lie came to
strike the glass from the hand OF the
drunkard, and make him sober man.
He came to make the Sabbath breaker
reverence the sanctuary. lie came 10
pluck men out of the service of the Devil.
He came to arrest those who were going
swift as the wings of time would carry
them down to hell He came to arrest
them, and set them on the way to heaven.
Are not these good tidings for MS, my
brethren? We may have been serving
the Lord fifty years, We may have had the
deepest experience; but to the very end
of our life upon earth, this must be good
tidings to us, "Jesus Christ came into
the world to save sinners, even the
chief.
How do zoe kno,c, (some one asks that
he saves them? The saying is faithful
because God sets his seal. The saying
is faithful because men have experienced
its truth. You say they have not come
back yet from the eternal worldto say it
is so. But suppose man owes me a
certain sum, and that he acknowledges
it, and sends half in notes, promising the
remainder in a short time; | should be
very ineredulous not to believe the state
meut. So if man has been a drunkard,
unclean, hated and hating his fellow-man,
and if he is before our eyes delivered
from his sins, his whole nature changed;
already he has a portion of salvation
in his hand, so to speak. In the victory
he has gained over his lusts, he has al
ready received a guarantee of his saliva
ton, that in due time all the rest will come
to him.
came, says Christ, "Lot to call the
righteous, but sinners to repentance.
If you believe yourself to be sinner,
then Jesus Christ came to save you.
This Gospel is worthy of all accepta-
ton" 1t is to be believed everywhere,
by alEclasses and conditions of men.
The superficial observer might suppose
that the stone that covered Jesus tomb,
also covered all the hopes of Christianity.
But he rose from the tomb, and when
after forty days the Spirit was given,
one follower converts thousands The
fires of persecution were kindled, and
like live Goals, these were scattered
through the Roman Empire. Wherever
they 90 they carry the sacred fire. By
and by Saul is converted; he seems tc
pass over the kingdom like a meteor; al
classes receive the truth; sailors upOr
the sea, Roman Centurious, governors
slayes-wherever the Gospel is preached
it is worthy of all acceptatiOn. In what
ever respects men differ, they agree il
this, that the Gospel suits them. A
length Briton rules at Rome, and the
religion of Jesus of Nazareth climb;
to the throne of the Caesars. Just as
there is no ward in the lock, for which
there is not wardiin the key, s0-ther,
/ is no want in the soul of sinner of which
there is not corresponding fulness il
the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Man cannot save himself, yet your
consciences must tell you that you neeC
to be saved. Then, my dear friends, lei
me plead with you that you will come tC
this Saviour. Take Him, trust Him, be
saved by Him with that salvation which
is eternal, which we describe by eyerlast
ing glory. Thank Him and bless Hin
that you have been brought to accept Thu
Saviour, and sound abroad his name
Speak of Him to others; tell them wha
Saviour you have found; begin witt
those who are nearest to yourselves. 81
you may have happy companions in thu
heavenly world, who will look to you will
gladness and gratitude, acknowledging
you as the instruments in the hand o
Christ, whereby they were brought t'
knowledge of Him and of eternal life
81. W."
*Delivered in Presbyterian Church, 9Th Av
enue, New York, March 4th. 1868.