Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1884-02-14

that their words arc true. His con-
science is fully aroused his judgment
is convinced lie knows. he feels, that
he needs "to be saved
just what was the preparation for the
saving message thus wrought? II was
she alarm Of an at0akeped sinner for The
safety cf his soul" A startling event,
bringing the sense OF the ncarness OF
death close home, was one means to this
Awe of these strange godly men was
another The Spirit, which opened
Lydia's heart, deepcned the feeling.
The mans inner eve was looking be-
yond any power OF earthly magistrates,
to n Judgment to come"
4. The one Way to Be Saucd.-Paul's an.
swcr to the iailer's question was one
with which all New Testament readers
are familiar. He did not say: "Your
fears are groundlcss, irrational, without
foundation; divert yourself, dismiss
your apprchcnsions fear is an ignoblc,
base motive cowardly and selfish 1t
is now the fashion, even with some who
set up to be Christian teachers, to say
this. Paul assumed that the iailer's
fears were just, reasonable, and to be
eficctually cured only by clear answer
to the eager question.
Rightly understood. the answer OF
Paul on this occasion is not only the
true, but a sufficient, one for all. And
yet it is important to understand it
rightly. Our Saviour often gave it's sub.
stance in other forms. lie said Take
up thy cross and follow me :" come to
e. repent" :" TASK. seek. knock !"
"hc that bclievcth shall be saved"
True faith sees in Christ the sinners
Saviour from sins poser as we'll as its
curse. II goes to him, and accepts him,
as such. This implies that the true be.
lever is now dcsirous to be rid of sin as
well as guilt to be fully saved, not
saved in part. So, crediting all that is
told us Of this divine Saviour, he puts
himself into that Sayour's hands for
pardon, strength, guidance, and every
spiritual good takes him in every Office
and work in which he Is presented
trusts him only, him fully. To the
earn est -eeker this is clear and sufficient.
5. Some giyps Of trt c1Hrrsi9a. The
jaller was now eager to hear the whole
WORD Of the Lord, )" and to hsvc this
word come "to all that were in hi.
house" A new spirit come over him
namely, one Of kindness and love hard
and unfolding men were made keepers
Of criminals, but this man now tenderly
washes these prison er.' stripes for which
he had before evinced no care. brought
them TO his house. and set food before
them. Moreover he "Nas baptized, he
nndalI his, s.rairhtwayi" thu. accepting
the badge Of dscipleship a. we'll as the
real Of forgiveness and grace. And all
This was st great peril Of bringing upon
the hatred which hnd overtaken
Paul and Silas. The fear Of God and
Owe Of Christ nov lifted him above fear
IF men.
8. 4 ChristaH 1uTtpg Li1 personal rights
-Discoyering that they had gone to,
ar, learning, perhaps. that the mel n
hey had 50 uniustly treated were r
nan citizens, the magistrates scent rha !
ergean,s. saying, Let tho,e men CO." /
But Paul refused TO he thus released. /
lie bad been openly beaten in violation /
II law, and nov he would not suffer /
hese unjust magistrates TO escape re- !
for what they had done. /
They would quietly hush up matter |
'nly dishonorablc to themaclves. He /
lec'ined TO let them of ia that easy |
way. But all this was nol for his own /
axe. II was not pride or scifwill Il /
vas in the interest ofjuslicc. and Of the /
cause, which would be all the /
,older and safer for it. So we are to /
tand up TOR rights when the cause Of /
ighteousncss and the safety of the
'hurch are st stake: and to Surrender
hem when greater good is thus accom- !
llished.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
/. Where unbelief is full Of fears and /
faith trusts and singp
?. The heartiest, gladdest singing ia
his world is in Christian lands, In hearts
% which Christ has brought peace and |
hope.
3. Some who cannot speak for Christ,
nay sing for him; and there is great
power in that; none Of our churches
make too much OF song.
4. Many cry, like that Of the jsiler,
rises in the heart without reaching the
lips; do not suppress it Christians are