Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-07-05
hence We may safely conclude that they are not

hence we may safely conclude that they are not
essential to either our comfort or salvation.
The skill of Satan, as tempter. is again
displayed. There is not man on earth, it
matters not how humble bis origin, nor how
unpretending his aspirations, who would not
be delighted to see such a sight a. the devil
showed Jesus. There is something fascinating
in the name king. The world has produced
few men who were able to refuse crown
when offered them. Probably there is not on
record single case The humblest peasant
in all Great Britain would gladly accept, at
any cost, the crown of England. He would
risk bis life to obtain the diadem worn by
Victoria. Who would not be kingf That
man does not live who would not, if be could.
Patriotism is nothing compared with royalty.
Ask the beggar, clad in tattered rags, if be
would not accept of kingdom. Ask the
man who counts his money by the millions if
he would not gladly add more to that sum.
When the devil offered Jesus the glory Of the
kingdoms of the world, he made fair test of
bis divinity. Every descendant Of fallen
Adam would have, under similar circumstan'
ces, fallen down and worshiped the great de-
ceiver. To no other individual has Satan ev.
or made so liberal an offer, yet there are few
of Adams race who have not fallen down and
worshipped him when he promised only a
fraction of the kingdoms of the world. Jesus
Indignantly said to Satan, "get the hence.
Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and
him only shalt thou serve"
The practical differences to be drawn from
this passage of Scripture are two. Since the
devil tempts the disciples .as he tempted the
master, we may infer that one of the special
occasions when Satan besets Christians, is du.
ring or after the reception of privileges Of
grace. The devil never fails to entice the
new convert to sin. The devil often meets
the preacher of the gospel in the aisle of the
church and begins to Aattsr him for his elo-
quence or abuse him for preaching the plain
truth of the Bible. Satan converts the
preaching of the gospel and the reading Of
the Scriptures into an anodyne, which puts the
hearer of the one and the reader of the other
to sleep. Gods people are constantly tempt
ed, of the devil, to distrust God as God of
providence. They are enticed to do rash acts
and utter rash words. To encourage them in
such course, Satan cites to them the teach.
ing of the Scriptures. Multitudes of Chris
tians do things that God, in his word, for.
bids; still these individuals say their actions
are justified by the Scripture and quote tho
passages to prove that such is the case. Watch
and pray, is the command.
The other inference which we may draw
from the passage, is that the devil is skillful
and bold tempter. We need not expect to
find him sssaulting strong castle at ito
strongest point. He is too wise to make such
a mistake. His attacks are always begun
and are carried on against the weak places.
Nothing discourages him. He never tires.
He is as bold and indefatigable as he is wise.
A liar and the father of lies, he will promise
anything, from moments carnal pleasure to
the glory of all the kingdoms Of the world.
The admonition comes to US all, "Beware of
the devil" To be able to resist the tempta.
tions of the devil, we need sustaining grace.
Without this we all would soon become the
servants of Satan. Jesus said to one of bis
disciples, "Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath
desired TO have you, that he may sift you as
wheat; but I have prayed for thee, that thy
faith fail not" 1t is the prayers of Jesus
that preserve the faith of Gods people. None
but Jesus was able to overcome the devil.
Let cling to Jesus be the Christian watch