Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-02-11
lOriginal J
CONVICTIONS.

In the OrQer OF nature, anu IN IacC, couVlC-
tions, precede conversions. By conviction,
we are to understand the act Of convincing US
that we are wrong; conversion is the act of
turning from that which is wrong. In what
ever way conviction is produced, or by what
iustrumentality it is effected, it is simply the
consciousness of guilt, or liability to punish
ment on account of wrong doing. There are
many things connected with that state of
mind which we designate by the phrase, "con-
scioas of wrong doing" that are interesting.
1t may be inquired, who produces these con-
victions? Without any fear of ofsuccessful con-
tradiction, it may be asserted that convictions
are produced either directly, or indirectly, by
God. "Behold 1 stand at the door and
knock" is the expressive language Of the
Scriptures. In some way or other, God pro.
duces the conviction in every mans mind,
that he is violator of Gods law. In other
words, God convinces every man that he does
wrong. The conscience of every man rises up
in majesty and declares,in language that can
not be misinterpreted, that that individual is
wrong doer.
The passing events of life are made efica'
cious in producing these convictions. The
calamities which befell Ahab, produced in
his mind deep convictions that he had forsa'
ken the God of his fathers. When Saul
forced himself, as he said, and oficiated as a
priest, he said, on the appearance of Samuel,
Il have sinned." When Judas had delivered
his Lord and master into the hands of his
prosecutors, he soon became convinced that
he had done wrong; and from the strong con-
victon resting upon his mind, he said, 81
have betrayed innocent blood 1t is not
necessary to appeal to historic facts to prove
that all men have convictions. Every man
knows that such is the case. God, in some
way or other, and at some time or other, per-
haps frequently, has made every human being
feel as the culprit feels when led out to be
executed.
The word of God is eminently calculated
to produce convictions. Every man who has
ever, even casually, read the Bible, or attend
ed the preaching of the gospel, has been the
subject of deep convictions. God, in some
way or other, always finds out the sinner
Before his Maker, the sinner is made at some
period of his career to fear and tremble. He
is made to feel that he is sinner and to con-
fess the fact.
The next thing that might be inquired in ref
erenco to convictions is, are they always follow.
ed by conversions? That they are sometimes
followed by conversions, no one, who will adj
nit that some persons have been savingly
converted will deny. The fact that some
persons are never converted, is proof positive
that convictions are not always followed by
conversions. The truth is simply this. Con-
yictions are sometimes followed by genuine
conversions, and at other times they are not.
There is no doubt much that is mysterious in
this fact, but still in many instances, it can
be explained why convictions of SIN 40 not
result in conversions from sin. individuals,
in multitude of cases, place themselves in
circumstances that are calculated to stifie the
convictions of sin. The voice of conscience is
hushed; the strivings of Gods spirit are re-
sisted; and the teachings of Providence are
disregarded. The convicting spirit of God
goes everywhere; but the converting spirit
does not. We may fly to the ends OF the
earth but still the conviction of sin will fol-
low US. Not so with the spirit of saving con-
~ l.
version; God will not follow us to the ends
of the earth to convert US.