The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-07-05
The Heart for Christ.

The Heart for Christ.
There can be no doubt that much
Christian work is done in a very low,
unworthy, imperfect state of heart, with
out any delight in it, without any inter
est in it, without any sympathy with it
done merely that it may be done-not
for any grand end, but simply to quiet
an uneasy conscience. 1t need not be
said that from such sowing poor harvest
must be reaped The Instruments used
of God for the good of others are gene
rally those who are in full sympathy with
himself-men and women who have con-
secrated themselves to the Lord, who
have purged themselves and made them
selves vessels "unto honor, sanctifed, and
meet for the Masters use, and prepared
unto every good work. (Ex. xxi: 90,
2 Tim. ii 21).
A glance at the workers of the past
puts this beyond all question. Pauls
life purpose is uttered in these words
e determined not to know anything
among you save Jesus Christ, and Him
crucifed." John Calvin's acceptance of
Christ, followed by conscious reconcilia-
ton with God, led to immediate consecra-
ton, which was expressed in his having
seal engraved, with a hand holding out
a burning heart, surrounded by the
words: " [ offer my heart as a sacrifice
to the Lord" John Knoxs prayer ut
tered this spirit, Lord, give me Scot
land, or I die" The spirit of entire con-
secration exhaled from all the life of
Robert Murray McCheyne as aroma from
an opening rose. Richard Baxter, fam
Gus not only for the noble books he wrote,
but also for the work he did in Kidder-
minister, has enshrined his earnest and
devoted spirit in these two lines:
81 preached as never sure to preach again,
And as dying man to dying men,"
Samuel Rutherford, whose life was one
singularly devoted to God, addressed his
ministerial brethren around his death
bed in these words, which are a clear
call to conservation: Dear brethren, do
all for Him; pray for Christ, preach for
Christ, feed the flock committed to your
charge for Christ, do all for Christ; be-
ware of men-pleasing, there is too much of
it among u.s." John Albert Bengel, pre-
late In Wurtemburg, author of many
works of great excellence, particularly
his Gnomon of the New Testament, was
man of sanity character and life. Adj
dressing the students of Tdbingen, in
l748, he said: The main concern is to
be continually in an appropriate frame
of mind before God. AS for any good
we have done, this is safely deposited
among his treasures; while the i'll we
have done may all be repaired by one
drop of the precious blood of Christ.
Therefore, the less | feed upon what l
have done, the better; for it only hinders
me from reaching on to the things which
are before. We live every day upon
Gods fatherly goodness and mercy. This
is my answer to those who complain
that they enjoy only now and then a
glimpse of Divine grace"
The spirit of conservation is that which
ensures success. 1t is the presentation of
the heart to God. If we seek for the
living roots whence this act is to spring,
we shall find them in strong love and
an unfaltering faith in a personal and
present Saviour, who says to the soul
Lo, | am with you Away, even unto the
end of the world This is always its
source. 1t has no other that is vital
And when it exists it breathes through
all that is done 1t gives freshness,
flavor, point, and power to all that is
said. 1t invests it with JUNCTION. 1t
awakens the soul to unwonted activity.
1t does not induce Incidence, it rather
inspires the whole being with desire to
accomplish great things for Christ. 1t
regards all parts of his service as equally
noble and worthy of the highest powers.
Dr. Newton, that prince Of preachers to
children, on one occasion told the now
glorifed Alfred Goodman, that he de-
voted as much time and labor to his
children's sermons" as to those which
he prepared for the great congregation.
And as Alfred Goodman himselfobserves 4:
The reason why it has come to be a re-
ceived truth that so,few are adapted to
talk with children, is because SO few take
the time and thought necessary to pre-
pare themselves for the work Then,
after thorough preparation they must
put themselves in sympathy with their