The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-09-15
For the Central Presbyterian.
Burned Them Before ALL"
BY REV. II. h. HALVES.

In Acts xix, we read of remarkable
proceeding on the part of those Ephesians
who accepted the gospel under the preach
ing Of Paul We have often heard of
bad use of fire, in connection with reli-
gion. But here was a good use of it,
We see too that this was followed by a
signal blessing of God. There was as we
would say, a great revival" Verse 20
states the result: $50 NIGHTLY grew the
word of God, and prevailed. The Ephe>
slams were much under the influence OF
maglcians, astrologers, and all manner OF
heather superstitions. But Paul labored
in the gospel among them about three
years. Many were converted to God,
and a church was organized. In the &C
ton of these converts is matter for our
serious thought
l. Many that believed, came and con-
fessed, and showed their deeds" They
renowned openly their former ways
and the saying was fulfilled to them
" If we confess our sins, Heis faithful and
just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse
us from all unrghteousness." Such con-
fession is essential He that covereth
his sins shall not prosper; but whose con-
fesseth and forsaketh them shall find
mercy But the special thing for con-
sheraton is
2. Many of them also which used
curious arts brought their books together,
and burned them before all men; and
they counted the price of them land found
it fifty thousand pieces of silver" That
is, as variously estimated from $4,000 to
$4,000.
The "curious arts" belonged to those
practices which were contrary to Chris
tianity. The books" taught and pre-
served the knowledge of these curious
arts" So, by burning the books, the
Ephesian Christians destroyed, so far as
they could, the means by which they had
opposed Christianity, and also the temp
tations to return to that opposition.
Theirs was a thorough ACCEPTANCE of
Christ, which made the instruments of
their former lives of SIM useless. There
fore, they burned them. Note they
did not sell the books of magic to others
who would continue ungodly practices, by
such aid; but they burned them publicly,
Withdrew them by destruction from all
future use. The value of these books
was, that they were the instruments of
preserving and cultivating un-christian
practices. They could have been sold,
and the loss by burning, avoided. But
these Christians did not resort to this
artifce to escape sacrifice. The books
were not Sinful in themselves but they
were instruments of ungodly practices.
Therefore those who now intended to
live for Christ, would not permit these
sources of opposition to His service to ex-
ist That their action was right is proven
in all the principles of Gods word but
especially in the fact that God imme=
dlately poured out a great blessing upon
them. Now this right action, so endorsed
OF God, settles some great principles for
us. We have no books of magic But
what have we which onSaoerS to them E?
Christian, what is that in your parlor.
or in your store for sale? Young man,
what is that in your room, or pocket?
A pack Of cards What is their use?
Gambling. What gives them value g?
Gambling. There are also in christian
stores, prize-boxes, rafle-lists ETC., often
seen in church-taurS too. Yonder is a
distillery. Yonder are some bar-rooms
What gives them value? The habit of
using ardent spirits as beverage Now
think of the wretchedness-who can ut
Ter ltl-Wrought by these instruments
The loss of money, bodies, and souls !
These lnfiict more misery, produce more
sin, destroy more souls and bodies Of
men, than pestilence and war In them
is more opposition to Christianity than
in all other causes combined. They are
the instruments which preserve and cult
Uate the knowledge and doing of bad prac-
tlces. Destroy cards, rafle-lists prize
boxes, and all belonging to this class
all the instruments whereby the knowl-
edge and practice of gambling are pre-
served and cultivated-and what would
be the result? Away with distilleries
and bar-rooms, and where will be the
means Of using liquor as beverage =?
Are theatres, circuses, lotteries, etc., for
Christ or against Him? In many chris
tan stores are seen their show-bills and
tickets. Christians thus help them on.
Are dancing-parties cultivators of
Christliness? The Church has sad re-
cord of deafness in spirituality of me ny
members to answer the question. can
not name everything which has the use
among us, like those magical books Of
the Ephesians. Our great want is refor-
nation IN the Churchill If it could be
Jo~a -vo,11