The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-02-11

same marked and striking transition from
darkness to light, and from death to life,
as converted heather idolator, or a
tiagitlous felon, or man whose reverence
had never been cherished, or, who had
lived without. religious emotions up to
the period of his conversion to God. Such
should consider, that, most likely, Tim
othy would be as greatly nonplussed, if
asked to date his first experience of grace
as you have seen the writer to be, in en-
deavoring to tell, when Timothy was re-
generated. But Timothy did know Je-
sus, and did witness good confession in
the presence of many witnesses. 1t was
not about his own experience, but touch
ing the divinity of Jesus Christ. When
the eunuch asked to be baptised, Philip
answered, eff thou believest with all
thine heart thou mayest.' The eunuch
answered, {" believe that Jesus Christ is
the son of God, and thereupon Philip
baptized him. Timothy first exercise
of love to God, faith in the promised Mes
siah, and sorrow for sin, may have been
put forth, before he had the necessary
power of reflection to trace it to the in
tiuence of the Holy Spirit His first act
OF holy repentance may have lain as far
back in his childhood as his first regret
for having incurred the displeasure OF
his good mother, and the one may have
attracted no more Of his reflective atten-
ton than the other His whole spiritual
lie since then may have been a series Of
confessions and pardons, as the life Of
every Christian is, and as every life OF
true prayer and faith must be. His en-
braclng the gospel, as preached by Paul
may have been but mighty bound for
ward In the good road he had long tray
elled but great advance in the same
grace and knowledge Of which he had
long been subject SO these are Tim
othy now, who having been taught the
truth about Christ in the family when
children, should come to the Lords table
although they have never felt the alarm
manifested by those whom Peter charged
on the day of Pentecost with the murder
of Jesus Christ.
We do not say that every one brought
up in a pious family is child of God
Religion must be with every soul per-
sonal matter, and have its seat in the
heart, if it exist at all. Nay, the advan-
tages of those who have been blessed with
a religious education are accompanied
with peculiar dangers. First there is the
danger OF mlstaling the common and nat
ural fruits of such an association for a
thorough change of heart before God. Ii
should never be forgot that the amiable
dispositions, the gentle manners, the cor
rect habits, the attendance on ordinances
apt to characterize the children of faith
tul parents may be only the form of god
Illness without the power. There is also
the danger that this class may think that
because they know more than others,
they have no need Of further inquiry, and
may give their thoughts wholly to other
studies, and their time to other pursuits.
Furthermore, it should be borne in mind
that under the law of Gods kingdom de-
claring to whom much is given of him
much will be required, they to whom
such privileges have been granted, will
appear, If lost, more guilty in the iudg-
ment day, than the grossest sinners, who
yet never had an opportunity to despise
such goodness of God. But notwithstand
ing, we believe there are those who are
regenerated and yet decline to make a
public profession OF their faith in Christ,
and so withhold from God the glory and
gratitude they owe Him, simply because
they have not felt the same alarm and
poignant conviction that certain others
have felt. We therefore testify, that it is
no more certain that Timothy was Chris
tan, than it is that every one who seeks
the favor Of God through Christ, and
through Christ offers the desires of his
heart to Him-that every one who looks
to Jesus Christ to be cleansed by His
blood, and purified by the grace of His
Holy Spirit is a child Of God; and war
ranted to take his place among the dis
ciples of the Lord Jesus.
But it may be asked, is there any class
who are required to seek, or cultivate or
wait for, poignant conviction and per-
turbing alarm to qualify them for receiv-
ing the benefits Of the gospel? With alb
solute emphasis and unlimited meaning
we answer, No. Nothing but faith is ne
cessary to our salvation. Believe what
the gospel tells you of God, the Judge OF
all, and, of yourself the sinner, and OF
Jesus Christ, the mediator, with the faith
that appertains to practical truth-do
this on the spot, and on the spot you are
saved. Had those, who came to the Sa-
viour after long distress of mind, come
sooner, come at any period of their lives
previous to this distress, yea at any mo-