The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-02-26


whatever. Its laws no State can touch or
initiate. because they are beyond the reach
of civil power and above the attachments
of civil practice.
1t proclaims first of all the truth that
rests immovably fixed i'll the conscience of
every man, that we are fallen, and 1t de-
mands as the first step towards entrance
that We repent of our sins. Repentance is
demanded of every one, whether nursed III
the lap of the church or not. No one is a
member of that kingdom by virtue of his
parents holding such relation.
So it, with clear and certain announce
mcnt. demands regeneration, for the quick
ening of the soul for the new life. aud for
growth in holiness. 1t is a condition that
is absolute-ye must be born again. Now
to apply these facts, by which the world
has experienced a moral resurrection. on
what grounds can we explain the demand
for regeneration, and repentance as set
forth in the Kingdom of God, other than
the mission and destination of Christ p
Coming from God, He is the only Light by
which the Father is reveaed-going to God
He is the only Light 10y which a certain
and glorious future is secured to the sons
of men.
Holding this relation He
ASSURES LIGHT TO HIS FOLLOWERS
as this passage teaches. 1t is positive
assurance, " He that followeth Me shall
not walk in darkness. The light Shall be
around, before and in him. Not a light
like the pillar of fire i'll the night, but ii
light that turns darkness into day
But" one says, ~ know that ] am APP
proved of God, | am in His Kingdom, |
entered by repentance and regeneration,
nevertheless there are clouds around me;
| am in darkness though follow Christ,
how do you account for this - | will tell
you. BY the grace of God given to me for
the work Of the ministry, l can solve your
trouble. You have been permitting your
self to take
THE HALF TRUTH,
not the whole truth. So far as you have
gone you have done WELL but you must
not be satisfied with the half-take the
whole.
God says, :" Be We holy for am holy
You reply, Yes, but do not understand
that, | am not able to see it, and you rest
in the half truth of soul requirement.
You cannot be a true follower of Christ
without the other half. You walk in the
light when you keep the whole command.
SO if darkness be upon us, it is because we
do not follow the Lord fully. let the
Light of the world be henceforth your
light.
Trinity Chureh.-Rev. Mr.. Skinner
Parable of the labourers in the vineyard
st. Matt. Xxx.
The unusual number Of idle persons in
these days of financial depression. suggests
the vet greater number of those whom the
Master continually finds lettering away
their time in the world when He calls them
to work in His vineyard, as illustrated by
the Parable.
1t is to be noticed that the lord of the
vineyard found men unemployed at the
close of the day, and only hired them when
they gave a good excuse for their idleness,
saying" because no man hath hired us
! The fact that he did hire them at so late an
hour, and also promised them liberal wages,
has given occasion for the phrase, at the
/ eleventh hour" as implying that q tardy
! performance of duty, however blameworthy
/ is yet sufficient to condone for all previous
neglect. Thus many deceive themselves
! into the belief that they can still delay,
t perhaps to their last hour, the duties of
! repentance toward God and holy obedience
! to His commandments. There could be no
more dangerous mistake.
| There is no resemblance at all between
| their case and that of the labourers last
! hired. They who, living within sound and
/ influence OF the GoSpel yet refuse TO near
/ and obey, are without excuse for their idle
ness. They cannot say "no man hath
! hired us Every day, perhaps for their
! whole lives, the Master has called for them
Ego work in My vineyard;' and He puts
! before them countless opportunities of serv-
! ing Him.
The printed Word of God, His Church
| as Its expounder and keeper, the manifold
means of Grace in the Church, the various
! warnings of Gods Providence; and above
| all and through all, the continual secret
| whisperings and promptngs of God the
! Holy Sprit-all these ale the calls of the
| Master for labourers to work out their own
salvation, and aid in extending the Gospel
| to others. Nothing, then, can be more
! delusive than the hope of death bed re-
| pentance; no expectation SO ill founded as
| that of the soul which after neglecting the
call during this life, thinks to excuse itself
! in the hour of death, and at the last iudg-
ment, with the false Plea had no oppor
tunity."
Presbyterian Gurch-Rer. Jas. Nclntire
Text, end Cor. 9th chap. list verse g Re
ceive not the Grace of God in vain"
! Introduction. How Paul esteemed the
! gospel. The responsibilities of the minis
try show that he and all true gospel minis
I tiers are co workers with God to a great
! end, the salvation of sinners. There are