The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-02-07
For TIE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
ISOLATED DISCIPLES.

There are many of these in every church.
They have put their names upon the roll,
but that is about all the connection they
have with their fellow members. They use
the church as lodging place, while they
work ard get their meals elsewhere. They
have embarked upon the river with the rest,
but poverty, ill-health or afiiction have
drawn them into side eddies, where they
whirl and whirl, moving, but not advancing.
They doubtless serve, in the care of chill
dren, in the nursing of the sick, in the sphere
of the house, in the duties of the closet; but
they do nothing in the church, or for the
church, they are unengaged in any public,
or special work for God.
Now surely this ought not SO to be-
Every disciple ought to live and labor in
visible and vital connection with the society
of believers. Every disciple, as well the
poor, and infrm and distant, as the rich and
strong and near, ought to do something from
week to week, to show their love and graft
tude for the precious Saviour.
These isolated ones do not love idleness
and obscurity. They would exert themselves,
if they thought the Lord had anything for
them to do. But in their own opinion, they
are cyphers, it will make little difference
whether they work, or are idle, nothing is
expected of them, their mite will not help
the cause.
Such thoughts however, are very depress-
ing, and they are wrong. These disciples
are individually the objects of Gods care,
and Christ's love. The hairs of their head
are as carefully counted as those of king.
The Lord can do without their pastor, just
as easily as he can do without them. A
work is appointed them as definite as Lu
theirs or Muller's. In the various human
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, fire companies, anc
such like, they endeavor to interest persons
by giving them an Office. And this policy
works well-only it is impossible to have al
Office for every member. There is however
an office for every one who comes into Christ
kingdom. These isolated disciples shoulc
consider themselves, each one, solemnly or
dained to "royal priesthood" They ar
expected to intercede for lost sinners, ant
to present themselves at the altar in daily
sacrifice. Let them then put on their sa
cred robes.
1t is a most important branch of a pas
tors work, to remove the lighted candle
from beneath beds and bushels, and to plac
them where they will be seen-to go afte
the isolated, and to draw them with tn
cords of the divine care and love-bacl
among the disciples. But his annual visi
alone is not sufficient for this. Therefore
let the warm-hearted brethren help him, lie
them 90 forth and search out the isolated
in their hiding places; not however to tall
to them about their duty. The bad weather
, the muddy roads, the feeble health, the in
, fant without a nurse, will very likely afforC
refuge from exhortations. The prope
way is to interest them, by telling them tha
they are needed, that the Master is come AM
calieth for them, that there is sound o
| abundance of rain, and that their fellow dis
ciples are finding out that the Gospel is
much more blessed and wonderful thin
than they had supposed it to be.
Let the isolated draw near. There is
heavenly numbering of their hairs, and ther
is heavenly concern for their salvation.
w. E. 3.