The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-05-03


and applied in variety of cases, but not al
ways with judgment and propriety. What
pa ssss for conversion among some men will
not be admitted by the an-seeing God, II being
only the Adoption OF religious principles, con-
iormity to forms OF devotion, attendance at
places of public worship, assuming name as
! contradis,ipguished from others among the
professions OF religion, zeal in defending aud
propagating creeds, or some popularity OF
sentiment Having offered these ideas on the
impure, procedure to the true conversion OF
the soul in theological sense, is our theme to
teach and enjoy
Conversion is a thorough change OF heart,
for tho unregenersted heart is carnal, and en-
nifty with God 60 that before reconciliation
can take place, or love, sympathy, and sweet
est rapture flow to the soul, change must be
made or a turning effected. We are born with
our back toward God, and before We can walk
with our eyes fixed upon the Morning star. we
must be turned square around. Eek. 26 :26
contains Gods promise to make this change by
giving us a new heart 81 new heart will | also
give you, aud new spirit will put within
you, and will take away the stony heart out
OF your flesh In this day OF light and axe of
thought, strange opinions are hed as regards
this work OF God in the heart of man. Some
churches teach an impossibillty OF change OF
heart, claiming change OF purpose-all head
-. n
purposed that he would not defle himself but
that was not conversion; and the Book says
- he purposed in his heart" An examination
OF both heart and mind will enable us to bridge
the difficulty
First, the heart is the organ OF the blood's
motion, the center of sympathy, love and emo
tional action. The mind is the intelligent pow
err in man, the seat OF will or voltion, the CEN
ter OF knowledge which never dies. Hence
we shall know as we are known
Secondly, these two the center Of emotion
and intelligence, entering into one form the
seat OF vitality; and it is impossible to destroy
or renew the one without the other. Even so
change cannot be wrought. or new life given
without turning. not only these two centers,
but the whole person from center to circum-
ference.
Conversion he center work. turning man to
land trying to prepare the way of the Lord by
an exterior or circumference work,-a con-
formity to bigoted sectarian ideas. Pharisee-
like, they seek to cleanse the outside Of the cup
and platter, which our Saviour appropriately
compares to whited sepulehre without: while
the heart within presents to the All seeing Eye
most appalling spectacle OF dead mems
bones. skeleton forms OF human misery IN
dreadful corruption, offensive putrefying
moulderng; but alas this is the picture Of
unregenerated man, and to cleanse such the
center OF vitality must be set in motion and
communication be opened with Him that
teacheth in all good things" The law OF the
Lord Is perfect converting the soul"
II the sinner is left in his loatbsome condi-
ton we shall find him ere long like a pent-up
prisoner in frghtfal dungeon. still in his
chains but dead. o. glnner get down TO the
sea side OF the great ocean OF Gods own truth
and teaching. walk beside the beautiful shores.
drink in the glorious breezes and bathe often
IN the blessed waves thou wilt find IN plenty
there. Ana soon thou shalt De thyself again.
a better self than ever with cheeks all aglow
with health pulse emphatic as or yore. not a
nervous dread in all thy thoughts. and thinking
snch things as thou couldst not think before
The sea away to the sea There Is newness
OF life in those waters clear and pure. Yes. |
conversion is drinking the pure water OF hfe. |
moisteDing the soul long parched by sin. Con
version Is an act consequent to faith repent
ance AL! the persuasion we may put forth will |
not avail Il our hearers do not believe in con-
version. No person would get the heart changed |
or turned if they believed il could not be- Con-
version to the sinner Is something ideal. fan
ced or imaginary: but to those with clean
heart and new spirit, it is the only real or new
life-all other ways lead to the scalding depths .
OF eternal death and despair. Then let us show
the world that Religion is not merely an APP
pendage to life but that it is life ITSELF Con-
version is to choose life and to turn from sin.
to be freed from lts hot iron chains that chafe
the soul and il not broken will rritate the soul
to all eternity. We must turn in time or burn
to all etereity. Hark hear the voice Of God.
e Turn We, turn ye from your evil ways for why
vii. ye die >" This turning is not simple for
saking Of sin. but a thorough change of the
whole being That once loved darling. sin.
must be hated, aud Jesus, once despised. must
be loved. Yes that turning is passing through
the Goals OF Jesus love: being transformed by
the renewing of His grace. Conversion is pre-
ceded by repentance and self-consecration.
Bat drops of grief can neer repay {
The debt Of love / owe. ,
Here. Lord, give myself away.
lis all that can do.
Although grief or rivers OF tears cannot wash ,
away our guilty stains, when we go to Calvary's i
brow and sec tina. man there, mark the drop |
ping OF His gore from the wounded side and I