Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-03-08


object which parents have in view, in infiict'
ing punishment upon their children, when
they sin, is to prevent them from SHINING
again and to induce them to cease to do evil
and learn to do we'll. In the same way and
with the same object in view, God deals with
his children. The parent takes no pleasure
in the suffering of his children. Did he love
their souls less, he would not cause their bod.
les to smart. Every wise father looks beyond
the present moment, and so disciplines his
children that they may grow up honored and
and be blessing to all with whom
they may come in contact. In the same way
God deals with believers during the whole Of
their pilgrimage. In the plenitude Of his
love, he bought Heaven for his people, and
in the exercise of his wisdom, he is constant
ly preparing all who accept of Christ fol
heaven.
ACTIVITY mission of Christian
man or woman is to work. Christ Himself
went about doing good, and his followers
should follow him here as elsewhere. Our
powers of body and mind are not given for
ornament, but use A good tree produces
good fruit, and the barren 6g-tree was cursed.
How much better are we than tfeA, and how
much more mighty the obligation to bear
fruit? Activity is necessary to healthy life.
When we cease to work we cease to grow-to
live even, in the higher sense.
How often do many of us feel, if we do not
say, that ease and leisure are greatly to be
desired. How often do we envy the happy
condition, as we esteem it, of those who have
all they wish and nothing to dol! But how
wrong and foolish tbis No Christian should
wish to be in this condition much less re-
pine or complain that be is not. But on the
contrary, he should be glad that God has
given him something to do in his vineyard.
Christ came to do His Fathers will, and
should we not faithfully labor in our little
lot, and do what we can to His honor and
glory? Surely. And how wrong it is for
Christian men and women to shun or refuse
to do what lies in their way How wrong to
say some one else can do it, or ought to do
it! We must not think so. There is place
and work for every one, and we can neither
evade nor refuse to do our part without guilt
There were other fruitful 6g-fees, but Christ
sought fruit of this particular one, and the
fruitfulness of the others did not satisfy his
requirements, or save it from condemnation
DON'T FRET.-Many excellent people, who
would be shocked at the bare thought of di'
rectly impugning the goodness of God in His
dealings with them, allow themselves to fall
into a habit of fretting and fault-fnding ir
regard to nearly everything connected with
their ordinary life. They fret at their friends,
at the ways of their children, at every little
business trouble, at the weather, at the crops,
at the various circumstances, great and small,
with which the providence of God has en-
compassed them. 1t does not seem to occur
to them that there is.anything sinful in this
fault-6nding spirit; but is there not in reality
kind of practical scepticism in it? The
Bible enjoins the most devout thankfulness
in all the circumstances of life. But the man
who is constantly dissatisfied with his sur
roundings is hardly in the frame of mind to
he thankful for anything. He may yield an
intellectual assent to the truth that, "all
things work together for good to those who
love God," but his conduct bellies his profes.
sion. 1t may be very far from his intention
to cast reproach upon the Providence that
shapes his life, but as God is the author of
his circumstances, to refuse Him thanks and
to fret and fume because they are not differ
ent from what they are, is really to charge
unkindness upon God, as though He were
withholding somewhat that He might have
bestowed. d.-Eraminer and Chronicle.
REFUSING CHRIsT.-A refusal of Christ is
a much easier, and yet a much more terrible
thing than most men suppose. A neglect to
hear Him is a refusal Of Him. Christ calls
US every day and every moment; and when
He calls, we either accept or reject Him.
There is no possible way of escape. There
is no neutral ground. Our lives are a con-
tinual acceptation or rejection of Him. When
Christ calls us to be His disciples, we reach
a wonderful crisis in our lives. Eternal life
or eternal death is suspended on our decision.
This question is continually before us, and an
answer must be had. 1t is imperative. A
neglect or failure to decide in the affirma-
tive, necessitates a decision in the negative
When our fellow-men present questions OF
Importance, we give them a respectful hear
ing. Shall we be less respectful to God
What astonishing and daring presumption
Men would not brook many refusals. Christ
has borne with US times without number, but
He will not always be refused thus. There
is point of forbearance beyond which even
God cannot go; and when We consider how
often we have already refused Him, we do
not know how soon that point may be reach
ed. "See that ye refuse not Him that speak
eth"
ESEM1Es.-Have you enemies Go right
on, and mind them not. If they block up
your path, walk around them and do your
duty regardless of their spite. A man who
has no enemies is seldom good for anything
he is made of that kind of material which is
so easily worked, that every one has hand
in it. A sterling character-one who thinks
for himself and speaks what he thinks-is
always sure to have enemies. They are as
necessary to him as fresh air; they keep him
alive and active A celebrated character,
who was surrounded with enemies, used to re-
mark-"They are sparks which, if you do not
blow, will 60 out of themselves" Let this
be your feeling while endeavoring to live
down the scandal of those who are bitter
against you. If you stop to dispute, you do
as they desire, and open the way for more
abuse. Let the poor fellows talk, there will
be reaction if you perform but your duty,
and hundreds who were once alienated from
you will flock to you and acknowledge their
error.
~" Be ever ready to forgive. "Remember
he who refuses forgiveness breaks the bridge
over which he must pass, for all need forgive
ness"