The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-01-01
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
WHAT WAS 8HE MOTIVE?
n
BY WILLIAM S. elEg gER.

BY WILLIAM S. sR.
When the excellent 81 srs6ie Dr.
Samuel Spring, of NeRbu ~ 4lasgachu'
sets, was on his dying bed, s 7i5ited by
friend, who wished TO Gaeett6e dying pa.
trarch. So he dWelt on the usefulness OF
DR.. Springs life, specially mentioning An
dover Theological Seminary and the Amer
ican Board of Commissioners for Foreign
Missions. He reminded Dr. Spring of the
prominent aud useful part he had taken in
founding these institutions. With great hu-
mility and with eternity full in view the de-
parting saint said, "All that is 80, but then,
what was the motive?" The impression made
on others was that DR.. Spring saw and felt
that nothing he had ever done merited any
good thing from the hand of God, and that
his trust for acceptance with God was not in
any works of his own. II was like David
saying, "Enter not into judgment with thy
servant; for in thy sight shall no man living
bejustfed." ItwS like Isaiah crying, "We
are all as an unclo thing, and all our right,
eOusnesses are as by rags" It was like
Paul counting hiDgs but loss for the
excoIlency of the |kledge of Christ Jesus,
and desiring to 'und in him, not having
his own rghteo |ess, which is of the law,
but that which trough the faith of Christ,
the righteousness (which is of God by faith"
However good men may be, the best men
have q sense Of their own ahortcomings.-
They know that they cannot stand the exam.
ination of God, if he should be strict to
mark iniquities." They have no confidence
in the flesh. They are quite sure that in
matter, manner or motive, Omniscience must
see sin and imperfection in them. When
some one said to one of the best men of his
day, Mr.. Hooker, you are going to receive
a great reward" he promptly replied, 81 am
going to receive great mercy" Blessed be
God, it is no sin to be humble and self-re-
nouncing. This is just what the simple truth
required. We not called TO our
selves falsely. There is no need of that. We
all have many sins, many undeniable faults
and defects, without mentioning those that
are not true. Especially are our motives apt
to be wrong. The heart is deceitful above
all things, and desperately wicked. Out of
the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders,
aduteries, fornications, thefts, false witness,
blasphemlee; Now as a man thinketh in his
heart 80 is be. Are cur hearts right in the
sight of God? What has moved US to do 80
many things in themselves right and good |?
"What was the motive?" It will not hurt
any man keenly to search his own heart
And when he has done his best in that way,
he may we'll an. wisely cry, "Search me, 0
God, and know ny heart; try me, and know
my thoughts; a see if there be any wicked
way in me, and me in the way eVerlast-
iUg."
Self righteous is great foe to saliva
ton could climb some steep and
rugged ascent enter heaven with the
host of victory BY Fir own right hand, and
give out the impreI 'n that they had, unaid-
ed, won for themselves the crown of glory
that fadeth not away, many would go to
heaven who, as things now are, will meet an
everlasting overthrow" Let US never sac.
ri6ce to our own net, nor burn incense to our
own drag To God nothing is more offen-
8ive than pride. O "what was the motive 2"
The law required of the Jews one annual
feast But Pharisee trusting in his own
performances, and being of an unhumbled
heart, tasted twice in the week, so that every
year he kept hundred and two fasts instead
of one. He thought such conduct ought tc
be mentioned to God. He did mention it il
the temple but ne went down q guilty man
His errors were two, will-worship and self
righteousness.
Praying is a duty. Rightly performed, it
is pleasing to God. 1t may be very shOr
like the publicans, Or i. may be offered fol
hours like the prayer of Christ, and yet b.
accepted. But for pretence lin or to de
ceiye men) to make long prayers is an abOm
ination. So to believe that We shall b.
heard for our much speaking is an offence t.
God He cares not for multitude of words
Oar first parents, even after the fall, wer
poorly clad. Purple and fine linen we're no
then in vogue They wore the skins of beasts
Many of the prophets seem to have had lttl
or no soft raiment. 4 ohm the Baptist wa
clothed with camel ir, and had girdIe 0
skin about his All this was right
showed a greatnes sOul in these prophets
But some imposy seeing the power tn
prophets had owe Ro people and not bein
conscientious aboS Fthe means used for gain
ing influence, vo "rough garment to de
ceive." Their nd ylve was all wrong, The
made sad work fos themselves. They wer
mere pretender8.
Reader, you are doing something now