The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-23
PRACTICAL POWER OF THE GOSPEL.

1t is great mistake to suppose that the
reception of the gospel is to be limited oy
the boundaries of a mere intellectual belief.
It's benefit does not depend upon the evidence
by which its truth is established, but upon
the objects it makes known. 1t puri6es and
saves the soul, not because it is reasonable
and beautiful, but because it is divine, be-
cause it is in harmony with our whole spirit
ual nature, because it comes from the same
hand that made us. The practical power of
this gospel is displayed not in high debates
or profound learning, but in the change 1t
works upon the heart and the life. Is pride
humbled; has the dream of self-righteous'
ness vanished; are refugees of lies broken up;
has the truth Of our condition been revealed
to us; have we "felt the powers of the world
to Gomez" have we felt ourselves condemned,
yet not without hope, cast down, but not de-
strOyed; speechless, yet not without an ad-
vocate; helpless, yet not without friend
Do we turn, under the consciousness of be-
ing burdened and helpless to him that is
mighty to save, If so that is part of the
practical power of the gospel.
But further: We often see how it dries
up tears, bushes complaints, Gghtens the an
guish of the disconsolate and forsaken /;
above all when it gives peace and comfort
as we 90 down into the valley of the shadow
of DEATH That which, more than any thing
else, strengthens the bands of human SYM
patty, and draws more closely the bands of
universal brotherhood, must be more than a
theOry-must be full Of practical power.
Again: What but the influence of the
gospel has spread over Christian communi-
ties schools, hospitals, asylums for the poor
and aged, missions of disinterested charity
to those who are perishing in darkness /:
These are its monuments, and are pledges
too of its immortality.
Such a power might be expected to be
difusive; it cannot be restricted, but must
have an ever widening control. So it has
been, and so it is now. Does any one say
it is light thing to labor for the propaga-
ton of this faith surrounded by the comforts
of Christian home and Christian people
Then we can point them to the Martyrs and
Careys, and Judsons, and host of others
forming a line as SPLENDID as that which dis
tinguished the first and brightest eras of
the Church. Men and women are now for
saking the blessings of society, the endear-
ments of friendship, the sweets of kindred,
the calm of happy Sabbaths, the great oc-
casiOns of vast united assemblies, for resi-
dence among savages, or lands of spiritual
desolation and darkness, to live unhonored
except by God aud few of his chosen peo-
Pile; to die with no record of this worlds
glory over their grave. All this is from a
feeling of love to Christ and compassion for
perishing men. Here is spirit which, like
the mystic wheels of Ezekiels vision, glows
with celestial FIRE, instinct with life and
prepared for universal motion. 1t has an
adaptation to all classes of men, and the
only reason for which we should despair Of
its effect, if the gospel were published even
in the regions of perditiOn, is because the
power of OmnipOtent mercy is there forever
Withdrawn. Certainly there need be no
hesitation as to the extent of its range in our
world; its divine commission "to every crea-
ture" settles that. Blessed be God that in
these triumphs of the gospel at home and
abroad, the world is obliged to see that it is
not dead letter but great practical power,
and thus contains within itself the manifest
proof of its divine origin.