The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-11-03
Affords.
For The CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
A LETTER.

Ny Dear Johnney,-I received your let
ter several days ago, and was highly de
lighted to hear from you. l was especially
glad to read that part of your letter which
spoke of your interest in the Saviour. /
was so thankful to God for the hope that you
were Christian, that l ran to my room in
order that l might engage in grateful &C
acknowledgements to Him. 1t is certainly
cause of everlasting gratitude to Him. He
might have suffered you to go on in your
own ways, indulging in the qualifications of
sensual lusts, and in pride and self-sufici-
eney.
Now, Johnney, my advice to youis tospend
your Sabbaths in reading, except of course
when you are at church. Go to preaching
regularly. You can get books from our
friend DR.. L to read, when you are not
reading your Bible. Do not suffer religious
books however to usurp the place of your
Bible. They are only intended to help you
in understanding the Bible, and applying its
truths to practice. Now, it is hardly neces-
sary for me to tell you that your Christian
life ought to show itself Do not hide your
candle under a bushel, Mat V: 49, En-
deavor always to set good Christian exam
pie. Speak words of gentleness and kind
ness to all around you. If you see an op
pOrtunity to rebuke sin in a kind way, do
it. Always show that you are not ashamed
of Chris, Mark viii: IS, Luke tx; 26;) but,
that on the contrary you glory in Him, and
delight to give Him honor. Did you ever
notice the 356th hymn of our Hymn. Book?
Sister was in the habit of singing it fire.
quently. Twill repeat one verse of it:
''Jesus, and shall it ever be.
A mortal man ashamed of Thee?
Ashamed of Thee, whom angels praise,
Whose glories shine through endless days."
By the by, have you hymn-book ?
Would you like for me to send you one?
Let me, now, give you text, which you
may use when you are tempted to leave
Christ for the qualification of some sin:
''What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain
the whole world and lose his own sOul?"
Mark vii; 36.) When you are low-spirited
you may remember the words of our Saviour
in Matt xi; %, "Come unto me, all ye
that labor and are heavy laden, and l will
give you rest" Learn submission and ODE
dienee to Him from the next verse If you
submit willingly, and cheerfully, and entire
ly; then the task will be easy 90 W
Now, Johnney, you must be always asking
this question: "Lord, what wilt thou have
me to do?" See if you cannot sometimes
be instrumental in saving SOUL spoke
to you about reading on the Sabbath
Perhaps you could spend part of your time
more proftably in teaching little class in
Sabbath school, or in attending some prayer
meeting. If you see little boys idling
away their time in the streets you could
ask them to 60 to Sunday school; and you
could ask your acquaintance to go to church
with you.
Well, I must bid you goodnight. The
Lords command, you know, is to be ready.
Matt. xiv: Il to end; Luke xii: 35-40)
Take heed to it. My heart clings to you,
my brother What happy thought is it,
that we shall live in heaven together through
out endless ages of glory We were poor
miserable sinners; but Christ died to save
us. Blessed be His holy name forever
Again, say, goodnight. We must pray
for our papa, and our brothers and sisters.
May the Lord be with you.
Your afectionate Brother.