The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-27
BY REV. b. H. HAYES.

You DO not give me your name nor plsc
of residence, but request me to assist yO1
through the columns of this paper, in you
n spiritual troubles. First of all, let me say
ange concerning ths6mmasS
.G.--SS. isyspelz 3
4gc5 people. Each one, IN hi
mesure suffers as you do from the fiery darts
ofthe adversary. In your Bible, james
you read: BLESSED is the man that en-
dureth temptation; for when he is tried, ht
shall receive the crown of life, which tht
Lord hath promised to them that love Him. ,
Think of that when you are tempted. ]
think however, you will answer that the
promise is to them that lOve Ham," Yes
it is. And though you may be only too ready
to say that you do not love the Lord enough
to claim the blessing, I feel sure that 1t IS fo'
yOW. For you say, Notwithstanding the de-
spair which "almOst kills you, 4" / feel
cannot give up my Saviour" Why can you
not give Him upf Why do you not leave
Him and His service at once You do love
Him enough to say, 81 cannot give Him up -
Be sure IF yOu can sag that truly, He sOill
Rsver gre yOW up. You are doing just right.
No matter aOhat comes, cleave to Christ. He
can lead His people as safely in the dark as
in the light. The darkness is not the trou-
bic; but walking in the darkness without
cleaVing to Christ. Cleave to Him, there
fore, and in His own time He will bring you
to the light.
As to being tempted, the sin is, ~ in care
lessly exposing yourself, going where you
know, or may reasonably expect you will
meet temptation. Gods people often do this.
They ought not to expose themselves; then
many a temptation would be avoided. ~
Il is also sinful to yield to temptation. You
are not guilty in the mere fact of being
tempted, unless you have Wilfully exposed
yourself to it. Thank God if you have had
anyone to remind you that you were doing
wrong in yielding. Such an one is God mes
senger TO call you to repentance. You do
repent. 1t was the result of Christ's work
in your behalf. He would not give you up.
He is exalted of God 'for to give repentance
and forgiveness of SINS" If He has given
you repentance, will He leave His work half
done? You would not be tempted so much,
if you were not loved of God. And certain
ly you would not now be repenting, but for
Christ's ministratiOn TO you. Grace was not
weak, but you were careless perhaps
You were not as wstehful and prayerful as
you should have been. Learn lesson from
the experience. "Watch and pray, lest ye
enter into temptation" This is what you
need. any sins grieVe me sOrely'' you say,
sand cause me intense agony of mind" 1t
is we'll. You ought to feel shame and sor
row for them. But now just act upon that
other sentence in your letter 81 believe that
God can and will pardon all sins, even of the
most heinous nature" For what does John
SAYS If we confess our sins, he is faith.
full and just to forgive Us our sins, and to
cleanse US from all unrighteousness." Go to
Him therefore. Believe His own word, and
He will blot out sll the past. He is "faitb,
tIl and Just to do 50. As to your want of
satisfaction, be satisfied with what Christ is
for you. Do not ever think to be satisfied
with yourself You would be utterly blind
and lost, if you could rejoice in yourself
"ReiOice in the Lord" As to falling away,
and never being renewed to repentance, l
must say that if you s0ere to fall away, you
would certainly be lost. For this would
prove that there is no virtue nor help in
Christ Prove this, and we have no Saviour
But do not trouble yourself about that " if. "
Give yourself to Christ truly, and His word
Or il you shall never perish Rest there.
You cannot be perfect. But you can try to
be. And if you are Christ's, you sOiU try to
live so as to please Him. Live worthy Of
the Lord" Make that always your aim
Then you are sheltered in all things by the
truth His blood cleanseth from all sin.
Christ's people are judged in Him. THEN
failings in thought, word and deed all meri
punishment. But they hare been punished
For we died with Christ, when He died fol
our sins. Therefore as you have done thu
far-even against hope sometimes, so con
tinue to do, Hold fast your profession,
and let your life rule always be to "Liv
worthy of the Lord" Fear temptation :
Keep away from it and its resorts, no matte
how respectable they be! Pray much. Tha
is, pray often and under all circumstances
So the God of peace will keep you.
A MARRIED LADY. slluding in conversation