Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-08-27
&eadiuq for the Sabbath.
CONDUCTED BY
REV. BERT LATHAM.
[0riginnl.l

CONDUCTED BY
REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
[originnl.l
GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY.
We are apt to conclude that because God
rules the world according to the counsel of
his own will, that he is all arbitrary sovereign,
doing many things just because he has the
power to do them. God is a sovereign. lie,
and he alone, governs the world. Every
creature in the universe, animate and mani
mate, is subject to his control. He does his
pleasure in the armies of heaven over the all
gelc hosts, and amongst the inhabitants OF
earth. STILL in all that he has done, is doing,
and ever will do, his own glory and the good
of his creatures is plainly visible. When he
finished the work of creation, he said all was
very good, and his dealings with his creatures
as a God of Providence is always good, and
as God of grace in providing salvation for
lost sinners, his goodness astonishes angels.
In creation, providence, and grace, God is
sovereign, but his love is more conspicuous
than his sovereignty. To suppose that God
aflicts his people just because he has the power
to do so, is we conceive, an uDscrptural no.
ton. "Whoever perished being innocent, or
when were the righteous cut OFF," Job At.
Gods people may be afflicted, and impeni-
tent sinners may, yes, will be cut of, but not
because God is sovereign, but because of
their sins and iniquities. Wicked men often
tyrancally exercise their short lived power
God never, even when he inAicts vengeance
upon his incorrigible enemies.
WHY DIE!
The words, life and death, have an opposite
meaning. In Scripture language, to live
means to enjoy the favor of God, now and
forever; hence, to die, means to rest under the
disapprobation of God, in time and eternity.
The cause of death is sin. Were there no sin
there would be no death. Ifsin could be ban
ished from this world, it would be full of life
and joy and peace. There is no death in
heaven, because there is no sin there. There
is no sorrow, no tears, no sighs there because
sin has been removed from the inhabitants Of
that blessed abode. In perdition, there is
nothing but sin and misery The hollow
groans of the lost are mingled with bitter cur
sings, and the smoke of their torments which
ascend forever and ever, has its origin in sin.
That dreadful place We call the pit of perd-
ton, will never cease to be receptacle for
human beings until men cease to sin. The
misery which is in this world, and the indies.
cribable agony which the lost suffer in the
next world, have all been brought into exis-
tence by the rebellion of the creature against
the Creator
Although it is true that sin has worked
such widespread and deep ruin, still none
need rest under the disapprobation Of God.
He who brought all things into existence,
and against whom all sin is perpetrated, has
made ample provision by which all men may
be saved if they will only comply with the
conditions. God devised plan of salvation
alike honorable to himself, and sufficient to
meet, in every respect, the exigencies of the
condemned sinner. Jesus Christ took the
sinners place. He is the Precipitation for the
sins Of the whole world No sinner can say
that he must die because no atonement has
been made for him. Christ died for the
world. In other words, such was the object
and intent Of the atonement made by the
death of Christ Jesus, that whosoever will
accept it, will be forever freed from the dis.
appreciation of God, and made the object of
his approval-in the language of Jesus him
self, he "shall never perish but have everlast-
ing life." John 3: 16. The language Of the
Scriptures respecting the atonement made by
the Saviour is peculiarly striking. 1t is said
he was made sin for US. He redeemed us
from the curse of the law, being made curse
for us. Now all that God requires of US that
we may be saved forever from his disappro-
baton, is to belive in Jesus Christ. To un-
derstand what is meant by accepting Christ
Jesus, the following may serve as an illustra-
ton: An individual becomes involved in
debt He owes more than his property is
worth. His creditors are implacable and de-
mand payment in full. The papers requiring
his ejectment from his home, have been placed
in the hands of the proper officer. Only
few days respite are allowed him, and then
with his wife and children, he must 60 forth
into the world poor and friendless. If we
suppose the individual to be cripple, totally
unable to provide for himself, much less for
his household, the picture is complete. Sup
pose at this critical juncture, some kind friend
comes to the poor crippled bankrupt and says
to him, II have heard of your distressing cir
cumstances, and now am willing to relieve
you. I will settle all claims against you, and
1 will restore to you all your possessions, and
make them sure to you forever. The only
conditions ask is that you receive it all as
gift"
This serves in part to illustrate the provis.
ions of the atonement. Christ found us spir-
itual bankrupts, and met the claims of divine
Justice against US, and now in the plenitude
of his love and mercy, offers all pardon and
forgiveness through his peace.speaking blood.
All that he asks of US is to accept If the
vilest sinner on earth will accept of the atone
ment made by Jesus Christ, God will save
him with an everlasting salvation, and he
cannot save any who will not accept of this
atonement. The reason, and the only reason
why any die, that is, rest and continue to rest
under the frowns of Gods righteous disappro.
baton, is they will not accept of the Saviour
Drowning men, it is said, will catch at straws,