The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-09-15
A WORD AND WHAT CAME OF IT,

an intimate friend, the subject OF personal
interest in Christ had never been introduced
in our conversations. 1t would be trial, and
yet so strong was the desire, that my mind
was made up to take up that cross when next
we met.
A few days brought the desired, yet dread
ed opportunity. How is it that the very
subject dearest to our hearts should often
be the one requiring most self-denial to in
troduce? In this case it was "the fear of
man." l knew she would smile, and felt
that 1 could scarcely meet that smile. But
mindful of my resolve, when next we met,
after little pleasant conversation, | asked
my friend, plainly, the question:
"Have you ever thought about your per-
sonal need of an interest in Christ p
The smile so much had dreaded was the
only reply.
"You smile" 1 said; 81 expected you
would; but l love you too we'll to mind it.
1 have long wished to ask you this question,
and felt it duty | could no longer resist.
Then came reply | shall never forget:
cit is true that I smiled, but not from the
reason you infer. am glad you asked me
the question. 1t is the first time person
has ever said word upon the subject direct
~ to me. They have talked about religion
before me, over my shoulder, but never to
me. You yourself have talked in my pres
ence of these things when 1 knew you meant
me, but would not take it.
"Will you take it now?"
eyes. 1 shoald be glad to have you talk
freely with me. 1 want to be a Christian;
would give everything have to be Chris
tan; but l do not feel that l am a sinner;
l do not think the Spirit has ever wrought
upon my heart 1 know 1 am sinner, but
l do not feel it"
at is the Spirits work that you wish to
be Christian. God can make yOu feel that
you are sinner. Are you willing to pray
with me p
"No. But l would be glad to hear yOu
pray"
We went to retired room, and l offered
an earnest petition that she might see her
heartfelt her sinfulness, and accept Christ
as her Saviour. Then we separated, and
had feeling that my duty thus performed,
my responsibility was over. But it was not
so. In week from that time | received
note from this friend which startled me from
my own lukewarmness, and caused me to
feel anew the pOVer of the Spirit Of God.
Among other expressions of great anguish,
she said, 81 am as miserable as if were
already among the lost. You brought me
into this state-yOu must help me out of it"
What heart SearchingS, what earnest private
prayers, did this call forth, before my reply
to that little note! Then | wrote, saying that
God by his Spirit had drought her there,
and he alone could help her out of her dis
tress; adding what I could of his promises,
and their certainty to each one who would
embrace them.
Note after note passed between US, as
weeks flew by, and still she remained far
from peace and hope. One Sabbath even
ing she came to my room, and said:
81 have done aN-everything l can do.
l do not see what more can do toward my
salvation; God does not seem to regard my
prayers. What can do but yield to despair?"
care you wiling" 1 asked, "tO leave
your conversion-yomsek, soul and body,
for time and eternity in the hands of Christi"
"I am not willing to be lost, was the
reply.
~ do not ask that; l do not think God
ever wished a person to be willing to be lost.
He does not wish any one to be lost. But
he does wish us to venture on him. To trust
the keeping of our souls into the hands of
Christ the great and only Saviour. We
must venture. Faith is the souls venture
on the aOOrd Of God. We must believe so
fully that Christ was made sin for US, that
we through him might have eternal life;'
and believe so fully that he will receive all
who come to him for salvation, because he
has promised this over and over again. We
must believe this so fully as to throw our
selves into his arms to be saved by his free
grace for time and eternity. If we thus
venture, we are safe. But 'the fearful and
unbelieuinq, God will Judge" They are not
safe. We are shut up to faith in God,
through Jesus Christ his Son, 'who loved us
and gaze himself for us. The gift of God
is eternal life through Jesus Christ his Son..
He that belieyeth on the Son hath life.
After little silence, she said:
evil you pray with me?"
Her request was complied with; but the
same look of intense anguish rested on her
face as before. Again she made the same
request, and again the same result. The
third time she asked:
"Can you pray once more with me?"
During the third prayer there was feel
ing in my own heart to which had before
been stranger. A feeling of perfect peace
in leaving her case with God; more than
this, an assurance of an answer of peace in
his own time and way No more was said