The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-12-16
The Secret of Spiritual Power.
BY JAMES WELLS.

We must have a consistent Christian char
acter to begin with. If there be anything
hollow about us; if we be not true and real
throughout; if there be any inconsistency
against which we have not declared war to
the death if there be any compartment of
our life from which the morality of the Cos
pei has been excluded, then power is for US
impossible. But power belongs to those who
are not merely consistent, but eminent Chris
tians. 1t demands the abundance, health
fulneas, and sweetness of the Christian life.
Entire conservation is one of its conditions.
The powerful walk humbly with God, and
cultivate that tenderness which fears to grieve
the Holy Ghost.
Then spiritual knowledge is power. The
powerful are great students of the Bible
mighty in the Scriptures. Nothing but mis-
cradle Incidence or unreasonable fanaticism
can suppose that such views discourage in.
tellectual ability and effort. Was it not
Paul himself who said GO In understanding
be men?" Did he not reprOach the Hebrew
Christians with being, through lack of knowl-
edge, mere weaklings, babes, keeping only
to the first principles, when they should have
been strong men, craving strong meat? 81
saw, says John, as it were, sea of glass
mingled with fire." Let that be our ideal
knowledge extensive as the sea, and clear
as glass, yet all mingled with heavenly fire !;
converting all, as fire converts Goals into mo-
tive power.
And spiritual power is usually found not
among solitary, but among social Christians
Brainerd, alone among the Indians, seemed
to have had bis prayer answered: "0l that
were flame of fire in the service of God. :"
But the most devoted Christians, when iso-
lated, have usually felt as Henry Martyr did
among the heather, depressed and robbed of
wonted energy. Power is to be expected
among those who can say eve have fell
lowship one with another, and truly our fell
lowship is with the Father and the Son"
Maury tells US that in winter the sailors
sometimes fail to reach the Canadian shore.
They turn around and make straight for the
Gulf Stream. AT one bound they pass from
winter TO summer. The ice falls from mast
and sail. They battle their benumbed hands
and feet in the genial waters. Soon heart
and vigor return, and again they head for
the shore.
The worlds atmosphere will often freeze
and benumb you; Christian society must
provide the Gulf Stream that thaws and
ouickens the soul. believe in the fellow
ship and communion of saints as a chief de-
veloper of spiritual power. But, as has been
pointed out, We must have more faith and
prayer; for the gift is soon spent and lost
unless it be constantly renewed. 1 mean
Spirit receiving faith. 1t must be admitted
that we do very imperfeCtly acknowledge
the Holy Ghost; and time of revival should
correct this great defect. Read the Acts of
the Apostles, and you will see what the due
place of the Holy Ghost is. One verse in
Acts wi: y lately charmed me. "Stephen,
full of faith and power, did great wonders
among the people" 1t was not a power
asleep, but, from its very nature, in action,
yearniUg to influence others. In presence
of uugodly multitudes his life kindled into
mission zeal, and shaped itself into popular
practical effort. 1t was Gods gift, to be
conveyed by living man to living men. 1
commend this truth to Christian young men,
the citizens of great cities. To you, more
than others, multitudes stretch forth their
hands, and cry: "Come over and help u.s."
And this is harvest time. 1t is harvesters
who are needed for white fields, where reap,
ers may soon fill their bo8oms with sheaves.
Am not right in saying that your Chris.
tian life, brought face to face with such af-
fecting proofs of ignorance and vice, should
take the form of Jealous mission work? Does
not the shadow of these masses fall upon
your soul?
In the life of William Burns, it is stated
that, in his student days, his mother, once
vent straight up to him in the Argyle Arcade,
but he passed by without noticing her. She
found him in deep emotion. 80 mother"
said he, 81 was so overcome with the sight
of countless crowds of immortals posting Oh
to eternity, that l could bear it no longer,
and turned in here for relief. That stu
dents life was then rapidly developing into
the most intense spiritual power. The great
city, with its crowds, was to him great i'm
pulse and great educator.
We are so framed, that the exercise of
power gives US our most exquisite enjoy
ments. See how the child's face is radiant