The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-08-25
WHIT IS REQULRED2

we think the Idea is very common
one in a Christian community among
those who make no profession of religion
that the formation of a Christian charac-
ter is very simple affair, and that it can
be accomplished in very few moments,
and that, therefore, there is no occasion,
being occupied with many urgent matters
pertaining to business or pleasure to be
In any great hurry about it. 1t is sup
posed that at some convenient time in
the future, when one gets little breath
ing spell, the thing cal be taken up, and
deed made and accepted for pleasant
quarters in heaven, when all will 90 on
as before.
There are great many, we know, who
actually purpose to arrange the whole
business on their death-beds, cherishing
the belief that it is only necessary to say
at that time that they are very sorry for
not having attended to the matter before,
and very penitent FOR all their sins, and
that they desire Christ to forgive them,
and take them to heaven; and this they
think will finish the matter.
Now it is not sufficiently understood
by such persons that God is not Knocked.
He is the very last being in the universe
that can be cheated He demands your
whole life and your entire conservation
to His service, and if you think to plan
an arrangement by which you can reserve
the larger part of your life for your own
lusts, giving Him only the remnant, do
you suppose He will agree to it, or that
you can fool Him?
There may be death-bed repentance
but it can only be on condition that the
penitent has not planned it; even this
implies honesty of purpose; and there
can be no honesty in such transaction
where the individual has in cold blood
consciously and Intentionally deferred
his repentance until that is the only thing
left that he can possibly do.
But, again, there are two parties in this
business; the Holy Spirit on the one
hand, the sinner on the other. The sim
ner cannot act without the cooperation
of the Spirit. Now suppose the Spirit
to refuse to help the sinner in this SUI
preme moment? Nay, we are taught
that "no man can come unto me, except
it were given unto him of my Father.
Now shall one go on in wilful and DELHI
crate rebellion all his life, and yet count
on Gods giving him repentance at the
last moment? The first movement of the
soul to God must proceed from God In
what a position, then, does the sinner
place himself who arranges to defy God
ten, twenty, thirty years, with the pur-
pose of repenting after he has sinned a
certain length of time, fixed by himself
There are some other considerations,
which apply to large class, who do not
deceive themselves with the idea of a
death-bed repentance. We refer to those
who are ready to act, but who have an
inadequate idea of the real situation in
this matter and Of what has to be done.
Our meaning will be understood if we
call attention to the fact that the funda-
mental idea Of the Scriptures is that
Man is condemned sinner. He is not
only condemned but he is going to be
punished, He is not only going to be
punished, but he is going to be punished
Joreyer. The doom is represented as
something exceedingly dreadful. This
shows that Sin is an exceedingly serious
matter Is it to be supposed that doom
Of this sort can be escaped by any trivial
act, or that it is matter to be dealt
with in any free-and-easy spirit? God
deemed it necessary to offer up as a sac
rifce.His dearly beloved Son, in order
to open the way for our reconciliation.
1t was necessary also that the energy Of
the Holy Spirit should be exerted in
order to effect the work Of restoring to-
life the human soul that was dead in
trespasses and sins. It was necessary