The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-04-02
WHAT HINDERs COMFORT.

One reason why some inquirers have no
obtained comfort is because they do not E''0'
all the gospel get.
Good news half told may often seem to b'
bad news. l have read that in the days o.
The semaphore signals message came across
20 England concerning the Duke of Yelling
on, and half the message was read as it ap'
oeared upon the semaphore, and astonished
Ill England with the sad intelligence. II
'an thus =" Wellington defeated" Every
body was distressed as they read it. But it
so happened that they had not seen all the
message. Fog had intervened, and when,
by and by, the air was clearer and the tele.
graph flashed out q second time, it read
thus" Wellington defeated the French" y
quite another thing. quite the reverse indeed
of what half the message had led men to
fear.
Thus when you hear half the gospel it may
appear to condemn you: but you have only
to hear the other half TO find out it's encour
aging tidings. | would say, be diligent in
hearing the gospel be diligent in searching
it out in the sacred Book which God has
given to us; and when you know the truth
more fully, you will find faith come to you
by the hearing and the understanding of the
Word of God. Leave those ministers who
preach only portion of the gospel. Try to
know all the message of love, and you will,
by the teaching of the Holy Split soon lose
your fears.
Some seekers miss comfort because they
forget that Jesus Christ is alive The Christ
of the Church of Rome is always seen in one
of two positions as babe in his
mothers arms, or else as dead. That is
Rome's Christ. But our Christ is alive
Jesus who rose has "left the dead no more to
die" was requested in Turin to join with
others in asking to see the shroud in which
the Saviour was buried. Imust confess that
l had not faith enough to believe in the
shroud, nor had I curiosity enough to wish
to look at the fictitious linen. I would not
care penny for the article, even if knew
it to be genuine. Our Lord has left his
shroud and sepulchre, and lives in heaven
Tonight he so lives that sigh of yours will
reach him, tear will fud him, desire in
your heart will bring him to you. Only
seek him as loving, living Saviour, and put
your trust in him as risen from the dead--no
more to die; and comfort will, 1 trust, come
into your spirit.
Some haze a notion that conversion IS some.
thing terrible. A young woman came to me
the other day, after service, to ask me
if really meant what said when l declared
that he that believed in Jesus Christ was
saved there and then. eyes," 1 said, and 1
gave her the scriptural warrant for it.
"Why," said she, "my grand father told
me that when he found religion it took him
six months, and they had nearly to put him
into lunatic asylum, he was in such q dread
full state of mind"
"Well, WE'LL" 1 said, that sometimes
happens. But that distress of his did not
save him. That was simply his conscience
and Satan together keeping him away from
Christ. When he was saved, it was not by
his deep feelings; it was by his believing in
Jesus Christ" then went on to set Christ
before her as our sole ground of hope, in op-
position to inward feelings. =" l see it," she
said. And rejoiced as l noticed the bright
light that passed over her face,-a fash Of
heavenly sunlight, which l have often seen
on the countenances of those who have be-
lieVed in Jesus Christ, when peace fills the
soul even to the brim, and lights up the
countenance with minor TRANSPORTATION.
1t is 30. You have but to trust Christ,
and it is done. But you are afraid.
Have you never heard of the man who
lost his way one night, and came to the edge
of precipice, as he thought, and fell over,
and clutched at some old tree; and there
hung, clinging to bis frail support with all
his might, for he felt that be should be dash
ed to pieces if he fell? There he hung, till
he got into desperate state of fever, and
his hands could hold up his body no longer !;
so at last be dropped and fell-about half a.
dozen nches-on to smooth messy bank,
whereon he lay, altogether unhurt, and quite
safe.
Now, there are many who think that sure
destruction must await them if they confess
sin AID resign all into the hands of God. 1t
is an idle fear. Give up your hold upon
everything but Christ, and drop down. Soft
and messy shall the bank be which receives
you Jesus Christ, by his love and by the
efficacy of his precious blood, shall give you
immediate rest and peace. Only drop now.
Drop down at once. This is the major part
of faith-the giving up of every other hold,
and simply falling upon Christ. That drop
ping down will bring you present salvation.
Spmgeon.