The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-01-07
For the Central Presbyterian.
REVEALS.
Reception of Converts.
BY REV. c. NJ. HOWARD, EvANGELIs,

| BY REV. c. NJ. HOWARD, EVANGELIST.
Protested converts should not be re-
ceived into the Church during or i'm
mediately after a revival Nothing, to
my mind, has brought revival work more
into disfavor than this.
As [ conceive this to be a matter of
vast Importance to the Church, l will
give some of the reasons that now occur
to me in support of my opinion, not hav-
ing time at present, in the midst of absorb
ing labors, to give the subject as much
thought as it deserves
I. The Teachings of Christ.
l. No Command-Had he left us ex-
plicit instruction on this point, that would
have settled the question But do not
find that Christ or the apostles ever in
structed evangelists, in their meetings, to
receive every one Immediately into the
full membership of the Church on the
same day" they supposed themselves
converted
g. TIE Church Cautioned.- On the
other hand, great caution seems to be al
ways insisted on in the management of
Church affairs. They were told not
to believe every spirit, but to try the
spirits" to turn away from those who
had only a form of godliness;" to lay
hands suddenly on no man" and the
greatest care was to be exercised in re-
ceiving bishops, elders, deacons, and
widows. They were put on their guard
and when Saul assayed to join himself
to the disciples, they were all afraid of
him; and if certain men crept in,
they had to do it unawares, or stealth
lily, as the word may be rendered.
3. DecelUerS and Deceived Pointed out.
The Saviour warns the Church against
waysides hearers that understand
not the Word. Let them have little
time to understand it, or let the devil
have little time to "catch away the
Word, before they join the Church rather
than afterwards. Also of the stony
ground hearers that receive the Word
with JOY ?" or gladness, (such would GER
tainly be considered hopeful converts in
these days., and have no root in them
selves, and so endure but for time after
ward, when affliction or persecution,
ariseth for the Words sake, Immediately
they are offended " and fall away" Let
them have little opportunity to fall
away before they join the Church
Then of the thorny ground hearers: Let
the "cares Of this world, the deceitfulness
of riches, and the lust of other things,
and the pleasures of this life" come in
contact with them brief time after the
help and stimulus of daily meetings are
withdrawn. Again, of those that build
on the sand Let the "rain descend, the
floods come, the winds blow upon them
for at least few days, and let the great
fol 70 10 1Nlo ttofJ do h.
tells us of those that begin to build and
are not able to finish, that do not count
the cost of being a disciple" Such will
always run into the Church if oppor-
tunity is given; let them have time to
reflect. Beware, he says, of wolves
in sleeps clothing. Z" Not every one that
saith unto me, Lord Lord shall enter
in, even though they have done "many
wonderful works" The tares got in
when men slept. We should keep awake.
There are "foolish virgins those with
out the wedding garment" those that
bury their talents, improbable SER
wants, to be cast into outer darkness.
1t is no advantage to receive such into
the Church
With all the above precautionary sig
nails hung out to warn the Church, must
confess, for myself, I should have been
shocked had found that the Saviour or
the apostles had, at any time, given such
command as that above mentioned (;
even though the danger then would have
been far less than now But we find no
such command.
II. The Example of the Apostles on the
Day of Penteoost
This is referred to as binding the
Church to the end of time, under all cir
cumstances, to receive all on the same
day they are supposed to be converted.
!. C0nSider the Circumstances How
different from ours. The visible and
audible presence of the Holy Spirit,
which we do not have in our meetings
now.
The apostles were inspired then to
discern spirits and saw they were
really "pricked in their hearts. We