The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-06-21

sustained by such persons as l have named,
to have accepted and to hold what Mr..
Edwin Cater sought in this way, but failed
to obtain
Oh, but make too much money Yes;
l do make good deal of money But |
suppose l need not say that that is not a
crime.
Now l come to consider how it happens
that ali these things can be done by one man.
Well, am not very strong; you see am
not very big But, Moderator, fathers, and
brethren, l have consecrated myself, with
all that l am, and all that have, and all
that | can do, to the service of Jesus, my
blessed Redeemer; and | will serve him to
the utmost of my ability. If anything Of
my own pleasure comes in conflict with that,
l willingly resign it. If there is even any
thing in which it is in accordance with His
will that should delight, if l can serve Him
more efficiently by giving it up, will cheer
fully resign that also. And will not think
that am therein making sacrifice l will
thank Him for the additional privilege of
permitting me to serve him in one and
another and another way, up to the utmost
limit of my strength.
But how is it possible for one man to do
all these things? If you consider how we are
in the habit of spending our time, it will
occur to you that the duties of society claim,
and claim rightfully, considerable por-
ton of it. It is right that We should mingle
socially with our fellows; and it takes not a
little time 70 attend propeslS to the duties
of society. But, sir. when on one occasion
messengers were sent to do the will of the
Master, they were commanded TO "salute no
man by the way, but to 90 right on in the
performance of their duty. Therefore, think
ing that was at liberty to give up the duties
of society, to resign its pleasures, | have, as
you know, entirely foregone all those pleas
ures-which delight in as much as any
brother, as any father here. Moderator,
as you well know, | have not been able to
accept your invitations; | have not been able
to accept my own sisters invitation to spend
a social evening with her. | was doing the
work of the Master, and thought | was
verify doing Gods service in giving up the
time that l might rightfully have claimed
for the pleasures and duties of society. And
| vas doing right, and thank Him that He
put it into my heart so to do.
Besides, all men have right to certain
time for rest and recreation. love rest as
we'll as any one; and you might think when
you look at my little body that need it.
do not know whether | do or not. That is 8
question which have not considered. But
whenever l have seen any service could
perform for my Master, whenever l have
seen that which appeared duty before me,
have gone forward and discharged that duty
to the best of my ability. l have given
up whatever time l could steal from the
needed hours of rest So, by these two
methods, 1 have attempted to keep (shall
repeat the scornful expression p some
"irons.. at least from burning.
But besides, Moderator, as many one
here can tell you, their letters to me are I'M
answered. Yes, they are; confess it. AnC
| now humbly apologize to multitudes of my
brethren who are before me, for having
neglected to answer their letters. But i
you recall what you wrote in those letters
you will find that they are not about thC
business of the Church. Such are not un
answered But they are such as it delighte'
and cheered my heart to receive, expressing
your brotherly 10y towards me; and sucl
as I wished to t. me answer, ant
therefore iaii'i asi, are
but that moment lat
not time to salute I. say
And in all this, whates NJ Z
4 be forced TO withhold
of your kind words,
doing Gods service,
to the danger of bel
of the Church 70 q
not doing, as /
r. in these x avssnPt
Standing all this
Of doing additional
that there are more "irons'
- ibly attend to alone. But
do not attend to them alone. There are
many on this floor who have helped me-
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