The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-07-08
A PAPER-CA

The sovereign grace of the Redeemer is a
truth, although exceedingly hated oy every
unrenewed heart When we find the Empe-
ror of Russia, during the last age, led by the
stern purity of an officer to ask, Chow ne
could be SO pure and just at Court? and
where he learned that strange secret the
surprised courtier replied From the Bible.
And when the monarch changed his course,
neglected the theatre for the place of prayer,
toe gay, glittering crowd wondered, and said
the Gear Alexander is becoming insane
The same remark was made Of George Ill,
when be ceased to prefer the dance and card
table to his Bible and place of DEVOTION
This royal son of Hanover did lose his mind
in his old age, but his years of personal ple1ty
were the only period of his real sanity, ii the
Bible be taken as evidence.
During terrible northeast storm we once
met at the stove in the Brooklyn Ferry, a
young nan, whose radiant features told of a
calm, not seen in the war of the elements
then growing and grooming through the
darkened clouds. On inquiring the cause OF
his peace, he replied:
"Ooce I was very wicked young man
sinned, and loved to sin, with 'all my heart
soul, mind, and strength. But at length
became miserable. was wretched, lost al
interest in the theatre and cards, and was
angry with all the world, with my Maker
and with myself. sought rest in every
conceivable manner and way. had means
laid up foi my wants, and yet the dark fu
ture wss = cloud OF gloom, but no ray o
light. As 60 religion, 10 moro dreamed o.
looking Ger peace ia the sad, hypocritlcal
hollow hearted frequenters of prayer meet
ing, than of stone taking wings and flying
But at length l met an actor who had beer
my friend in my career of guilt and folly
Strange, passing strange, and yet that youDt
man, from the very pit of ruin, among tn
outcasts of society On the stage, told tn
paper carrier he would only find comfort il
religion! / was surprised as greatly as if hi
had told me to take ladder and climb up tt
heaven"
The actor was man Of pleasure, neve
went to church, never prayed, never though
he himself would ever need religion. Th'
paper carrier found Baptist preacher, ant
told him Of his aching heart. He advised
him to "cc'me to Jesus, and gave him tn
ordinary motives. He left him as utterly il
the dark as though he had hidden him to g
an hundred miles, and visit rock in Ger
tain mountain for comfort.
He had forgotten to tell the carrier of tn
holy law he had broken. To apply the rem
edy, he must know and feel his disease N
one who feels hale and hearty is willing t.
take bitter drugs, without cause or reason
He went to some other adviser, and then b
learned the nature of his sorrow. He say
and felt the curse and weight of broker
law crushing him down to ruin. Then wheI
he heard, "Come unto Me all ye that ar
weary" he sprang as from the depth of de
spair-in holy agony cried for mercy. Wit
death-grasp he chung to the cross, an
found peace.
The strangenesS of the above is seen in tn
instrument selected by sovereign grace t.
arrest this humble carrier. He said tina
after night he used to pass the splendid man
sions in the avenues of New York, and say
the proud prosperous owners moving Xix
princes amid their gilded splendorS. "Bu
l neither envied them their wealth, nor thei
comfort. But l did pity such from the depth
of my heart who dreamed those glitterini
vanties could ever bring peace.
By and by the gay dwellers will find gu
what this b mble carrier learned. ON
paths are pc &c, )" SAYS Christ, and there i
no peace in re universe besides.