The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-02-25
WHAT GOOD THING SHALL
DO2


true; if the man distinctly apprehends
the situation. He will give up all that
he has to save his life, provided the issue
Is squarely presented, and presuming, of
course, that he is in condition to enjoy
life. Ill-health or mental anguish may
so poison mans life that it is no longer
worth living. We speak OF life in its
normal, healthy state. 1t is a grand
thing, had life free scope, to live. But
the life we propose to speak of in this
article is eternal life What shall a
man give in exchange for his soul?"
Tins young man (referred to in the
caption of the article) fancied that he was
prepared to impose any restraints on him
sell, provided he could thereby purchase
eternal life. And any man will agree to
this, that anything should be surrendered
to secure eternal life; that it is worth any
price; any labor; any privation; any
amount OF money. 1t seems a mere ques-
ton ofarithmetic, Shall man surrender
81 to make $4,000?
Ii there is any doubt about the propo-
sltion in this form, it canLOe stated more
strongly thus the man will make the
$4,000 Cor $1OOOO,OOOJ if he surrenders
the 81 but if he takes the ground that
the 81 is necessary to keep him from
want here on earth, and therefore from
great suffering; and that in fact he can
not do without it; then, it is to be added,
that II he refuses to surrender the 81, he
will not only not enjoy eternal life, but.
he will bring upon himself eternal suffer-
ing. So that it is true, that every man
who sees will not hesitate to give up the
present life to secure the future.
All these have kept from my youth
up. Yet one thing" says the Saviour,
thou lackest." II will put you to the
test;-relinquish your property--strip
yourself naked-and follow me-" At
this point the young man drew back.
The meaning is this: that young man
partly believed in religion; but he was
n2t, really, fully persuaded. If he had
seen the thing distinctly, he would not
have hesitated moment; his possessions
would have seemed to him as nothing
The loveliness of Christ would have won
him so completely that he would have
followed him to the ends of the earth on
any terms. But the veil was on his
heart. Blindness in part is happened
to Israel"
So with the nominal Christian. He
gladly embraces the gospel he submits
IL measure to the restraints of religion
ne attends church; he gives to the church
charities he reads his Bible; in fact he
is thought by some to be a model of reli
gious propriety. But let us take this
church member back to Rome in the DAYS
OF Nero or Domitian Let his life be put
IN jeopardy. Let the cry be raised TO
the hons with the Christiansl" And will
ne initiate the young ruler?
The Christian should carefully urge the
probe into the very depths of his heart
and ascertain with clearness hooo far he
has made surrender of himself to reli-
gion. Is he ready to give up his pro-
Perty? Very we'll This is necessary.
Is he ready to give up the world? Very
well. This is necessary. Is he ready to
give up his time? Very well. This is
necessary Is he ready to march where
ever he is ordered? Very well. This is
necessary. Is he ready to give up his
life? Very we'll This is necessary. We
mean the disposition to do these things, if
the emergency arises.
There is no stopping place. The Chris
tan cannot give up almost everything.
That will not do. He must stand com
mitted to give up all. And this includes
the heart, and the heart included all the
rest follows. He must surrender his will
ms affections, to the holy cause in which
ne has embarked The attitude must be
Lord, what wilt thou have me to do
Issue thine orders, and I obey"
There are, we fear, many protesting
Christians that would draw back if these
issues were made-who would 90 awav
sorrowful," because their noesaes;ors ~