The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-03-09
Our Contributors,
Gods Witnesses.


my witnesses.
l. Witnesses to has truth. His word
is truth" Jesus Christ who was himself
the greatest witness so declares. This
truth his people know, for they have
been taught it in their hearts by the
Holy Spirit Having thus felt its quick
ening, enlightening, comforting power,
they are prepared to testify in its behalf,
and to maintain it under all circum-
stances, and before all men.
And just here comes up remarkable
faU:: Wherever the truth of the Bible
has taken hold of man heart, in what
ever part of the world he may live or
whatever may be his occupation, he en-
tertains concerning this holy Book essen
tally the very same opinion that his
brother or sister in Christ does in any
other part of the world. The New zea-
lander on the opposite side of the globe
feels Just as we do concerning the Scrip
lures. AS we read this wonderful vol
ume, we all with one accord "set to our
seal that God is true 1t is marvel
lous fact that there is no essential differ
ence among the body of Christians as to
the veracity of their Bible.
And is it not also delightful fact that
so much of this testimony is borne by
the unlearned man? Here and there
some learned professor spoiled through
the vain deceit" of his false philosophy,
may deny the genuineness and authen
ITCHY of the volume or possibly some
Bishop Colenso or Robertson Smith of
the Church itself, may carp at and criti-
else, and try to throw doubts upon some
part of it. But you will find the hum
BILE Christian believer at his plow, in his
shop. around his Preside, not in the
slightest moved by all this. He holds
to his testimony as witness for the
truth. He will not give up his Bible; he
will live with it, he will die with it he
will press it to his heart through all the
scenes of his pilgrimage on earth, and
make it his pillow of comfort when his
eyes are closing in death. And well
may he be witness to the truth of God;
for never has there been single instance
in which promise made by God has dis
appointed him.
2. Witnesses to the poaoer Of his grace.
All Gods children know what grace
means: no learned definition is needed.
1t is enough for our purpose here to say
that there is in Gods grace power sent
down from heaven, which enters into the
heart and brings it under new and holy
life, Divine life. All Christians expe-
rience this. 1t has changed the heart,
subdued their evil passions, altered their
views and inclinations. Severed them
from the condemnation and love of sin,
justified them before God and made them
holy In some this change is more man
ifest than in others, but in every instance
it may be said that "old things have
passed away; behold all things have be-
come new" us.a9. ~ r
Now how can such a man help being
witness for God in this new state of
things? Must he not feel called upon
may we not claim that, he is graciously
impelled to say, like the man in the
gospel. Whereas was blind, now l
see" Must he not say as the Psalmist
did, " Come and hear, all ye that fear
God. and | will declare what he hath
done for my SOUL Believing himself to
be pardoned, changed man, he is pre-
pared to say-"I would not be presump-
tuous, but 1 cannot deny the grace and
mercy of God to me, and 1 do not wish
to be silent on that subject 1 stand here
as an humble witness for my Lord and
Master as to the truth of his word, be-
cause have felt the power Of his grace
in my heart and in my life"
All, that grace What power it has.
Not only what it does for the heart in its
first regeneration, but in respect of what
it does for the believer in the trials of
life. How could Christian people ever
bear UP under the heavy load, how 90
calmly along under the bereavements
which smite them, if it were not for this?
a