Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-02-23
.eadiua for the Sabbath.
CONDUCTED BY
REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL.


the country beyond the river of death. Bright
and glorious are the prospects which it unveils
to the good in that land. Thousands have
lived in hope, and died in triumph, under it's
inspiring light. If the gospel is not true, the
light of heaven is eXtinguished, the consola-
tions of hope are abolished, and the mystery
of existence is impenetrable and bewildering.
If the gospel is false, man, with angelic pow
ers and immortal aspirations, is reduced to
the condition of brute, predestinated merely
to eat, drink, and sleep, to propagate his race,
to toll and suffer, to die and rot. 1t cannot be
unreasonable to demand that men who have
made such appalling discoveries should be
panied at their success. Not to be grieved at
the extnguishment of the light, and hope and
the comfort of the world, would indicate a
measure of insensbility, or bias of mind un-
favorable to the earnest, candid, and success
full search after truth.
A clergyman, now deceased, once told the
writer that he heard the distinguished and ell
Oquent John Randolph, of Roanoke, say that
he was in his early years inclined to infidelity.
At that time, through the influence OF Mr..
Jefferson, and the popularity of the French
Revolution it was common for well-educated
young men to avow their want of faith in the
Bible. Mr.. Randolph said that scorning to
adopt opinions without examination, he re-
solved to investigate the claims of Christiani-
ty to divine inspiration. lie deemed it fair,
as the Bible was Il record of Christian re-
| ligion, to read that first. lie commenced Il
careful and searching examination of it, not
doubling but that he should find the proofs of
it's falsehood. He had not read through it, he
stated, before he was convinced that a mole
might have composed the Principia of Newton
as easily as uninspired men could dhave written
| the Bible. His conduct was not always in
| harmony with his convictions but subsequent
| ly, through all the viciSsitudeS of his remark
able and somewhat eccentric life, he was al
open, earnest defender of Christianity. Such,
| we Judge, would he the common if not the
universal result of an intelligent and honest
examination of the Scriptures. The intellect
would be convinced, if the heart were not
won This is usually the first stage in the
process of conversion.
| We commend then to you, skeptics of every
class and grade, thorough investigation OF
the claims of Christianity to your belief and
reverence. 1t invites, demands, challenges
your scrutiny. You owe it to yourselves, to
society, to truth, and to God, to examine it.,
with seriousness corresponding with the
gravity of the subjects of which it treats a
fairness that can he warped by no inclination,
interest, or preconception a thoroughness that
will leave no material witness unquestiOned;
and persistence that will not stop short OF a
full and firm conviction and reaching the
conclusion that Christianity is true, to em-
brace it heartily, adorn it by your lives, and
commend it to the acceptanceo of the world OF,
finding it to be a delusion, to clothe yourselves
in sackcloth, and to weep and lament that the
only light, solace, and hope of the world are
gone for ever-Rer j. B. Jeter.
SHOW Me THE DoCToR.- man blind from
his birth, a man of much intellectual vigor,
and with many engaging socialqualities, found
woman who, appreciating his worth, was
willing to cast her lot with him, and become
his wife. Several bright, beautiful children
became theirs, who tenderly and equally loved
their parents. An eminent French surgeon
while in this country called upon them, and
examining the blind man with much interest
and care, said to him: "YOur blindness is
wholly artificial your eyes are naturally good,
and could l have operated upon them twenty
years ago, think could have given you sight.
1t is barely possible that I can do it now,
though it will cause you much pain" 81 can
bear that" was the reply, $50 you but enable
me to see." The surgeon operated upon him,
and was gradually successful first there were
faint glimmerings of light, then more distinct
vision. The blind father was handed rose ;
he had smelt one before, but had never seen
one then he looked upon the face OF his wife,
who had been so true and faithful to him, and
then the children were brought, whom he had
so often fondled, and whose charming prattle
had so frequently fallen upon his ears. lie
then exclaimed: ooh, why have | seen all
these before, inquiring for the man by whose
skill I have keen enabled to behold them
Show me the DOCTOR" And when he was
pointed out to him, he embraced him with
tears of gratitude and JOY. So, when we reach
heaven, and with unclouded eyes look upon it's
glories, we shall not be content with a view OF
| these. No, we shall say, "Where is Christ
| He to whom I am indebted for what heaven is,
show me him, that with all my soul | may
adore and praise him through endless ages"
BREAK OFF BAD HABITs.-Understan the
reason, and all the reasons, why the habit is
injurious.
Study the subject until there is no lingering
doubt in your mind.
Avoid the places, the persons and the
thoughts that lead to temptation.
Keep busy; idleness is the strength OF bad
habits.
Do not give up the struggle when you have
broken your resolution once twice or thou
sand times. That only shows how much need
there is for you to strive.
When you have broken your resolution Just
think the matter over, and endeavor to under
stand why it was you failed, so that you may
be on your guard against re-occurrence OF
the same circumstances.
Do not think it any easy thing you have
undertaken 1t is folly to expect to break off
habit in a day which may have been gather
ing strength in you for years.
HOME SUNs1IINE.-Many child goes astray
not because there is want of prayer or virtue
at home, but simply because home lacks sun
shine A child needs smiles as much as flow
ers need sunbeams. Children look little be-
yond the present moment If thing pleases,
they are sure to seek it if it dispeases, they
are prone to avoid it. If home is the place
where faces are sour and words harsh, and
fault finding is ever in the ascendant, they will
spend as many hours as possible elsewhere.
Let every father and mother then try to be
happy Let them talk to their children, es-
pecially the little ones, in such way as to
make them happy.
@ All true Christians are striving to effect
the same thing. The object of their faith is
the same, and they are animated by the same
spirit. There is only one Christ, by whom all
must be redeemed but one Holy Spirit, by
whom all must be sanctified and made fit for
heaven but one Bible, by which all must be
Instructed in the way of life; and only one
New jerusalem the everlasting home Of all
the redeemed and sanctiied. However much
true believers may differ now, the time will
come when all will see eye to eye.
s4s" Let us remember that we are always cast
ing the shadow of real life upon some one that
somebody is following US as John followed Pc