The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-09-19
Are We In Earnest 2

Are We In Earnest 2
In earnest about what ? About saving
the souls of those who are ready to per-
ish. Yes; | presume that some of us
think we are in earnest. But are we ? How
do we appear in this respect to others
Do we. by our words and actions make
the impression upon the minds of the
unsaved around us that we are exceed
ingly anxious for their salvation ? We
speak to them, it NAV be, upon the sub
ject of religion but do we not often do
this in such an Indifferent, not to say
stupid wav, that we make no impression
upon those whom we address, unless it be
to convince them that we are not in
earnest, and possibly to make them feel
that we do not ourselves believe what we
are saying, or al least, that we are not
quite sure whether it is true or not
The following incident related in re-
ligious journal will illustrate Just what is
meant. A traveller was journeyiDg in the
night on road that led to deep and
rapid stream. A man met him, and after
inquiring whittier he was bound, said to
him in careless manner;
care you aware that the bridge over
the stream is gomez"
"No," was the answer, "why do you
think SOP"
az heard it this afternoon" said the
other, " and though am not certain about
it, perhaps you had better not 90 on"
Deceived by the hesitating and unde-
cided manner in which the information
was given. the traveller pushed on in the
way of death. Soon another meeting
him, cried out in CONSERVATION
Sir, sir. the bridge is gonep'
30, yes,' replied the traveller, "some one
told me that little way back, but from
the careless manner in which he spoke to
me am sure it isn't true"
"Oh, it is true" exclaimed the other
az know the bridge is gone, for barely
escaped being carried away with it my
self. Danger is before you, and you must
not go on"
Convinced by the earnest tone and ear
nest gestures of the man, the traveller
went back and was saved. The informa-
tion conveyed in each case was the same
but the manner of its delivery in one.
gave it the appearance of fable; in the
other an air of truth and earnestness.
Harlan Page, just before he died. said
to a Christian friend who was watching
with him, Brother, when you meet an
impenitept sinner, don't merely say,
calmly, Friend, you are in danger but
approach him with holy violence, and
labor to pull him out of the fire."
1t is said that brother of the pious
Charles Simeon, when on his dying bed,
extended his hand to him, and with deep
emotion said:
al am dying, Charles. and you never
warned me of the state in which I was,
and of my great danger in neglecting the
salvation of my soul"
"Nay, my brother" replied Charles.
but | took every reasonable opportuni.
ty of bringing the subject of religion be.
fore you, and frequently alluded to it in
my letters"
eyes," said the dying man, "but you
never came to me, closed the door, and
took me by the collar of my coat, and
told me | was unconverted, and if I died
in that state, should be lost; and now
am diving, and but for the grace of God
shonld be forever undone."
We see from these incidents something
OF how the subject will appear from the
borders of the eternal world, mayhap at
the bed of death. And how inexpressibly
sad it would be to have a dying sinner,
when his sinking soul was quivering with
the anguish of despair, say to us, " No
man cared for nv soul 70
We have also in the above an example
Of the earnestness we should manifest
when we approach those whom we would
try to save. If we are cold in our manner,
and appear Indifferent, we will be likely
to do them more harm than good but if
we would have our words reach their
hearts, they must come warm and burn
ing from our own. If they are assured by
our earnest manner, that we know they
are walking in dangerous road, they
will be very likely to heed our warming,
and retrace their steps. Usually, if we
would arouse our friend or neighbor, and
awaken within him an interest for his
SOULS salvation, we must approach him
with an earnestness; and conviction of
the momentous Importance of eternal
things, which will appear to him "holy
violence"
Many Christians are always trying to
excuse themselves from this duty. They
can converse freely and fuently upon 9TH
er subjects-politics, literature, science,
and even theology; but have no talent,
they say, for addressing the impenitept,
no courage to approach the unconverted.
Are you, dear reader one of the number ?
Would you present such an excuse at the
judgment bar ? How can we remain ST.
lent when so many around US are crowd
ing their way to death ? Shall we not
awake to a sense of the eternal realities
which are just before us, and upon which
| a.. l.
are few and feeting. We scarce hail
their dawning before life's setting sun
throws its shadows over the landscape,
and the evening twilight creeps upon our
path. We exchange few salutations
speak few words, sing few songs, and
almost before their echoes die away, we
bid adieu to friends, the curtain falls
and life's short drama closes. What we
do, we must do quickly.-ReU. j. L. Har'
ris, in Christian al Work.