The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-09-06
For tbs Central PREsBYr rERIAN
CHRISTIAN INTERCOURSE.

Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one
to an0ther.-MAL. iii l6.
Is this as much the case as it should be
among Christians Of the present day? We
fear not. As children Of one common Faith
er, family Of the household Of God, we
pass and re pass each other in the common
walks Of life, coaversiug earnestly Of affairs
concerning our temporal state, our crumbhng
tabernaeles of clay, yet scarce exchanging
word for Jesus.
Is it not natural as regards the things of
this life, for individuals to talk most on the
subject nearest their hearts The farmer
viii entertain US with the condition of his
crops; the invalid viii tell US of his many
bodily Affections, remedies applied, &c. We
all as Christians profess to be engaged in
the one great business of Gfe-a preparation
for eternity; We profess to have cleft all
and followed Jesus" now would it not be
natural to suppose, this being the case, that
the one all-absOrbing theme when we meet
would be Of the Home of the soul, our Faith
er's House, and of Jesus, the good Shepherd
who gave His life for the sheep? Why this
backwarjness among Christians to "speak
often one to another of redeemiDg love p
We have seen earnest soldiers of the Cross,
of the Gospel, yield to sur
(many times on the
Ia converse aisa All
,eneral topics Of the day,
\, pell4ys, some impressible young hear
present, probable nquiring the way of life,
beat in wonder that Christians should speak
so seldom one to another Of the love Of Christ
and the glories of His Kingdom, while they
could engage with so much spirit in cOnverS-
ing on things temporal which fade as the
flower 1T is no wonder, says Power,
." that the people of the world know so lit
tie about the Lord, when lie is brought so
little before them by His own people. We
viii often talk about churches, the various
ereeds and peeuiarites pertaining to differ
ent denominations Of Christians; probably
finding fault with some weak brother for
whom Christ died; but true, vital, expert
mental religion may not even find a place
in our social converse; we talk with ANNA
ton Of the Cross, overlooking, alas, it's bleed
ing Vietim
Should this be so, my Christian brother or
sister? Oh, how much do we lose of the
sweets and comforts Of religion when we
fail to "speak often one to another. of our
spiritual joys aud sorrows. The cord of
Christian sympathy is strong; it binds us
together as nothing else can. 1t is con-
fort TO know that others feel the same doubts
and fears which so harrass Us in the flesh;
and DO not our hearts often burn within US
as we talk of Jesus by the wayside Of life,
and sing together the grand song of redemp-
ton We do not think this backwardnesa
in Christians is always owing to a lack OF
interest in the great question, but because
has grown with growth and strengthened
with strength since the early days of child
hood. Children should be encouraged b.
Christian parents to speak uureservedly OF
Heaven and its glories; then in after years,
when the heart becomes interested, we should
see less Of that timiiity about introducing re-
hgious topics into our daily conversation.
We DO not say that Christians should talk
about nothing else; but true it is, that reli-
gion should be the seasoning of our entire
discourse, interEnigg and identifying the
words Of cur mouths, Ike threads Of gold
amid the dus, Of earth, showing to men that
"our conversation is from Heaven" They
that feared the Lord spake often one to an
other, not now and then, during seasons OF
revival, or when conyersing with ministers,
or some other seemingly seasonable occasion,
but often; whenever we meet in the house
or BY the wayside. Truly Christian viii
be constrained to speak Of the love of Jes
sus, when he looks back thro' the rugged
pas, and considers how be has been guided
by an unseen hand thro' all the labyrinths
Of life; how he has been brought from dark
ness to light all thro' grace, amazing grace.
"And the Lord hearkened, and heard it
and a book of remembrance was written be
fore Him for them tha, feared the Lord ana
that thought upon His name And they
shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in
that day when l make up my jewels; and |
viii spare them as a man spareth his own