Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-07-19
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DEVOTION.

DCfOllVNs
The measure Of our attachment to any
cause or to any individual, is the sacrifice
which we will voluntarily and unbiased by
surroundings make for that cause or lndl-
vidual. The devotion of parent for a
child is demonstrated by the willing sacri-
fees which the parent is ready to make for
the child. In this way we may test our de-
yotion to the cause of Jesus Christ. We have
only to ask ourselves the question, "What
sacrifice am l willing to make for the spread
of the gospel 2" in order that we may learn
our devotion to Jesus Christ. Our devotion
to some things is often so great that it can
not be estimated. We have no standard by
which to measure it. For that thing upon
which we centre our affections we are ready
and willing to make very great sacrifices !;
but for that thing upon which our affections
are not set we are unwilling to make any
sacrifices or undergo any hardships.
If we really desire to know whether or
not we love the Lord Jesus Christth knoWl-
edge is certainly attainable, at least to sat-
isfactory degree. What direct sacrifice are
we willing to make for the cause which is
Christ's? How much money will we give
to support the war which Jesus Christ IS
waging against the Prince of Darkness =?
If God has not given US money, are we will
ling to take the place of a private in the
ranks of the army of the king, and endure
trials and Affections? We may ask our
selves the question which Jesus asked Peter
We may say to our soul, "Lovest thou Jesus
more than these?"
The evidence of our devotion to Jesus
Christ is painfully little, even in the case OF
those whose devotion is greatest and in the
multitude it is not discernible by mortal
eyes. Had Jesus Christ not known all
things, he could not have known that Peter
loved him. On the contrary, there was
much and strong evidence that he did not
love him. It is to be hoped that the devo-
ton of the many to Jesus Christ is really
greater than it appears to be. If it is not,
certainly Onlya few will be saved.
SHUT OUT.
When Noah and his family, together with
all the animals which God determined to
save, had entered the Ark, we are tod the
Lord shut him in." Our Lord and Saviour,
in describing, by the parable, usually called
"the parable Of the ten virgins" the con-
summation of all things, says that SO soon
as the bridegroom and his attendants had
entered the house the door was shut. The
door-bolt that secured Noah and his house
hold from the overwhelming waves of the
flood shut the rest of the human family out
and made their ruin certain. The latch that
shut the wise virgins in shut the foolish
virgins out.
What an important lesson we may learn
from this The ordinary means of grace will
be the SAVIOR of life unto some, and the sa-
vor of death unto others. The sermon
that savingly converts one soul is the inno,,
cent occasion of hardening some other soul
in sin. Neglect of duty terminates in ha-
tired for God and all that is good. Mercies
despised are kindled into burning Goals
which torment but do not consume the soul.
There is something dreadful in the thought
of being banished from our homes, from our
friends, from our family and from our coun-
try, but words do not exist nor can they be
framed which will fully express all that is
meant by the words, "shut out from Gods
mercy" The language Of the shut out is not
artculate words, but weeping and wailing
and gnashing ofteeth.
Let it never be forgotten that the door
that shuts the righteous up safely in Gods
favor and friendship, and finallyin Heaven,
where there are pleasures forever more,
shuts the wicked out to wander in darkness
and despair.