Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-07-11
tOriginal.]
GOOD OR EVIL.

That which, when properly used, is bless
ing, becomes a curse when abused. All
the gifts of Gods providence are of such
kind and character as to contribute to our
welfare when used in legitimate way; but
when unlawfully appropriated, they become
the innocent occasion Of great misery to those
upon whom they are conferred. To be born
the heir to wealth; to be surrounded by re-
fined and educated neighbors are blessings
which it is not easy to estimate. When,
however, these blessings are contemned, they
are, by a law of providence, made to increase
the contemners misery and intensity his deg
relation. The principle is so plain and SO
frequently demonstrated in the history Of the
human family, that no one can have failed to
observe it. 1t is grand principle which is
applicable to both secular and spiritual things.
The gospel is either SAVIOR of life unto life,
or it is SAVIOR of death unto death. 1t either
makes men better or worse. In strict con-
formity with this principle, we find the most
abandoned creatures on earth are those who
enjoy the means of grace but who despise and
reject them. BY an immutable law good be-
comes evil. Where good is rejected evil in
creases.
God, as God of providence and grace,
holds us strictly accountable for all that he
has bestowed upon us. When little is given,
little will be required; and on the same prin-
ciple, when much is given much is required.
A little blessing, however, if there be any lit
tie blessings, becomes often, through the neg
lect of the individual upon whom it is con-
ferred, great curse. Sweet becomes sour,
joy grief, pleasure pain, hope despair, and
life death.
When God grants privileges, and the indi-
viduals upon whom they are bestowed, neg
lect or unlawfully use them, God usually takes
away these privileges and bestows them upon
some one who will use and not abuse them.
These privileges, whatever may be their char
acter, are taken away by process both easy
and natural. The intellect is permitted to be-
come darkened, the affections to grow callous,
and the will to become stubborn and rebel
lous. This accomplished, the individual is
hopelessly ruined. Good has become evil to
him.
The GENTLENEss OF JEsUs-The CONVEX
sation of Christ with his disciples, when he
took leave of them at his last supper, was
most sweet and friendly, talking with them
lovingly, as father with his children, when
he must depart from them. He took their
weakness in good part, and bore with them,
though now and then their discourse was very
full of simplicity; as when Philip said :"Show
US the Father" etc; and Peter, ri will 60
with thee unto death y each freely showing the
thoughts of his heart. Never, since the world
began, was more precious, sweet and amia-
BILE conversation. Is it not shame that we
are always afraid Of Christ, whereas there
never was in heaven or earth a more loving,
familiar, or milder man, in words, works and
demeanor, especially toward poor, sorrowful
and torn consciences Hence the
prophet jeremiah prays, saying: 30, Lord,
grant that we be not afraid of Thee" I ex-
pect more goodness from Kate, my wife, from
Melancton, and from other friends, than from
my sweet and blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ !;
and yet I know for certain that neither she
nor any other person on earth will or can
suffer that for me which he has suffered why
then should I be afraid of him? This, my
foolish weakness, grieves me very much. We
plainly see in the Gospel how mild and gen.
tie he showed himself toward his disciples !;
how kindly he passed over their weak akness,
their presumption, yea, their foolishness.
He checked their unbelief, and in all gentle
ness amonished them. Moreover, the Scrip
ture, which is most sure, says: "Well are all
they who put their trust in Him."-Latther.