Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-10-09
THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT.

Tile UEMONSIhAIlON Or LIE Oh AhAA .
1t is easy to show that man is sinner, and
that Jesus Christ is the divinely commission
ed Saviour from sin. But when you have
demonstrated that the Bible is inspired, that
it teaches of divine Saviour, and that man
needs this Saviour, you have not converted a
soul. Man is not simply intellect, he is emo
ton, he is will. How to bring those feelings
and that will to move in the channels of ever
lasting Righteousness, is problem whose So
luton rests with God.
The slavery in which drunkard is to his
appetite, is good illustration Of this point
Many one will confess the folly and the
misery of the use of Intoxicating drinks, and
vet will continue in that use.
The difficulty lies here-the teachers of re-
ligion have not simply to prove that certain
facts exist. That is easy enough. But the
lives of men are to be influenced for eternity
1t is beyond human power to do this. "En-
ticing words of mans wisdom" fail utterly
But superhuman power aocomplishes it.
The preaching of the cross is Gin demonstra-
ton of the Spirit and of power" God him
self enters into human souls, and "turns them
as the rivers of water are turned"
So the great problem is solved. History,
philosophy, logic, eloquence, all have their
uses; but if they are effective it is BECAUSE
through them as instruments, the Divine
Spirit carries the truth to the heart.
Christian duty then becomes plain. We
are not to give over our arguments. We
must meet the skeptic on his chosen field and
vanquish him. Not simply preachers of the
gospel and professors of theology, but private
Christians ought to be able to use the weapons
of logic against all who are making warfare
on the cause and kingdom of Christ.
And yet these instruments simply prepare
the way. The work of conversion is Of God.
There must be the demonstration Of the Spirit
and of power, or the world will rush to swift
and sure destruction.
Christian duty is two.fold. We are to use
every instrumentality possible, that so in
every way the gospel may be preached. 10
bring to the knowledge Of men everywhere
Jesus Christ and him cruci6ed," is one thing
that is urgent upon the church. But the
other branch of our duty must not be forgot
ten. We are to pray even with strong cry
ing and tears" that the mighty influence Of
the Spirit will descend upon ruined world,
breaking up hearts of stone, carrying the
precious seed of truth into them, making it to
germinate and grow into fruitage of immor-
tai glory.
WHAT IS SUCCESS ?-Mortimer began life
under the usual conditions of poverty
neither friend nor influence to help. He re-
solved, nevertheless, to make his mark. He
became Industrious and industry brought
him wealth. He was sternly upright, and
that secured respect. His generosity kept
pace with his gains and that Won renown so
at the age of fifty he was the richest man in
his State and its chief magistrate. He grew
ill. Medical science was impotent "Sir,"
said his attendant, "the brittle thread will
snap before the sun goes down." Astonished,
he said, "It cannot be; shall be up to-mor-
row" Every art was applied in vain. The
agitated form grew weak. Tick, tick, the
seconds went, and before the shadows came
the catastrophe was upon him. Turning to
the wall, in an agony no pen can describe, he
cried, "My life has been failure" and he
was dead.